Final Reflection
Translation of the Curriculum
Dr. Susan Edgerton
The book Translating the Curriculum, along with many others I have read at the Leadership Academy will have a lasting impact on my ability to bring about change in education. The structure of the class brought a sense of closure for me regarding the feeling I had that something is wrong with education. I moved back to NY 6 years ago, and my autobiographical narrative of teaching in NY is one of horror and disgust.
In this class, we learned about the translations of curriculum that are missing from a NCLB society. We will never see a translation of love because the standards movement is based on essentialism. We are teaching a flawed curriculum of the world we live in. The arts, music, and history are not valued in our current school setting. Environmental Science is taught through sterile lab settings instead of helping students connect to local and global environmental issues.
Another transformation of learning that I feel is an issue in education is the marginality of students through tracking. I teach in a full inclusion program. There are no resource rooms, and special education students of all disabilities are fully integrated in the classroom. The translation of love in this program cannot be found in the curriculum of NYS standards. Students respect people with disabilities and focus on abilities. Three classified Mentally Retarded students in our school play varsity sports. The word “retard” is not a part of the student culture. Dignity is not measure in standards. This is part of my proleptic eschatology.
What is in my future thanks to my experience at MCLA? Activism and promotion of the values that are not welcomed in the debate over ending NCLB. I will not allow fear to govern my thoughts. Together, we can reverse the last twenty years of failed education policy. Many thanks for the speakers and readings that help energize a discussion of education leadership.
Translation of the Curriculum
Dr. Susan Edgerton
The book Translating the Curriculum, along with many others I have read at the Leadership Academy will have a lasting impact on my ability to bring about change in education. The structure of the class brought a sense of closure for me regarding the feeling I had that something is wrong with education. I moved back to NY 6 years ago, and my autobiographical narrative of teaching in NY is one of horror and disgust.
In this class, we learned about the translations of curriculum that are missing from a NCLB society. We will never see a translation of love because the standards movement is based on essentialism. We are teaching a flawed curriculum of the world we live in. The arts, music, and history are not valued in our current school setting. Environmental Science is taught through sterile lab settings instead of helping students connect to local and global environmental issues.
Another transformation of learning that I feel is an issue in education is the marginality of students through tracking. I teach in a full inclusion program. There are no resource rooms, and special education students of all disabilities are fully integrated in the classroom. The translation of love in this program cannot be found in the curriculum of NYS standards. Students respect people with disabilities and focus on abilities. Three classified Mentally Retarded students in our school play varsity sports. The word “retard” is not a part of the student culture. Dignity is not measure in standards. This is part of my proleptic eschatology.
What is in my future thanks to my experience at MCLA? Activism and promotion of the values that are not welcomed in the debate over ending NCLB. I will not allow fear to govern my thoughts. Together, we can reverse the last twenty years of failed education policy. Many thanks for the speakers and readings that help energize a discussion of education leadership.
posted by book1 at 2:34 PM
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