Edition: U.S. / Global

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Letter

Thriving in School

To the Editor:

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Re “How to Fix the Schools” (column, Sept. 18):

Joe Nocera is right: the answer to how to fix the schools lies in a different approach to teaching. Speaking as a former educator and the founder of the Education Department’s National Commission on Educational Equity and Excellence, I would say that if the Chicago teachers’ strike was ultimately about the effect of student test scores on teacher evaluation, then the two parties should have seized the opportunity to evaluate its effectiveness.

The strike provided the opportunity to discuss the conditions necessary for children to thrive in their schools: early learning experiences, resources for school infrastructure and supplies, teacher retention and professional development, principal leadership, community partnerships and family engagement.

The Silicon Valley business community, which I represent, values innovation, out-of-the-box thinking, problem-solving, communication and collaboration — the very things that student standardized test scores do not measure.

If we are going to place emphasis on high-stakes testing and tie it to teacher evaluation in our public schools, then let’s actually focus on the skills necessary for thriving in the marketplace. But let’s remember that education is not merely about creating widgets for Silicon Valley; education is about creating equitable conditions to level the playing field so that every child can achieve his American dream.

MICHAEL HONDA
Washington, Sept. 18, 2012

The writer, a Democrat, represents California’s 15th District in the House.

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