As countries, schools systems and individual schools are busy adopting curriculum content and pedagogy from PISA’s top ranking contributors, parents are easily swayed by the numbers – since data, it seems, doesn’t lie? In some areas, educators have created “readiness profiles” for students to reach. Are we really in the business of setting limits or exploring possibilities?
In the 1860s, Herbert Spencer questioned the knowledge we teach and we, at ISL, continue to do so. It is interesting on this point to explore Yong Zhao’s statement: “Schools perpetuate the assumption that everyone has the same opportunities, talents and interest to learn the same thing at the same time, in the same place”. An interesting notion that is worth examining as it applies, or not, to our classrooms.
Instead, Zhao invites us to look for the potential for greatness in each of our students, in every child. That “greatness” is unique to each one. We know this as we have struggled, been enlightened and connected to the work of Kath Murdoch this week, through inquiry and in our daily endeavours as teachers and school leaders.
Finding purpose in ourselves and in the service of others, working towards a greater good, given that we all have failures, shortcomings and blips along the way. The path lies before us and we do have a choice.
Patricia Angoy 