Defining a Profession. . .
One of the constant debates raging in conversations about education in America centers on the idea of whether or not teaching is a true profession.Many would argue that teaching is a true profession based on the commitment, dedication and training of educators which neatly parallels other professions. Others see teaching as something more akin to a skilled trade that can be easily mastered by anyone. Rancor tends to define this debate as advocates vehemently argue in favor of their unyielding position.
Before answering this question effectively, it is important to define the characteristics of a professional. Until we come to agreement about shared characteristics of professional fields, it will be impossible to come to consensus about where teaching stands on the continuum of work.
Defining a profession:
1. Professions have a codified body of knowledge that is defined by practitioners and applied in a systematic way. Think about medicine: Doctors work together to identify approaches for diagnosing and treating disease that is shared and generally followed by all in the field.
2. Professions provide differentiated pay for differentiated skill sets. Again, medicine provides a good example for comparison: Cardiologists performing open heart surgeries on a regular basis are paid more than podiatrists removing plantar warts.
3. Professions retain ownership over entry and evaluation standards. Law is probably the best example of this professional trait: Lawyers have to answer for their actions before review boards that are comprised of other lawyers and that have the power to revoke licenses.
4. Professionals retain responsibility for assessing and holding themselves accountable for the results of their work.
5. Professions are responsive to the times, taking an action orientation to their work and continually improving established practices. Return to medicine: Treatments are continually being perfected as new technologies and medicines are discovered and introduced by practitioners.
6. Professions offer practitioners opportunities for continued professional growth over the course of a career.
Would teaching qualify as a profession? Why or why not? What impact does this have on our ability to recruit and retain motivated young scholars to our field?
Is teaching a true profession?
Of the various professional fields -- Medicine, Law, Politics, Business, Military Defense and Entertainment -- teaching can be compared to any of them and is found mostly wanting. Education should stand with all of them, but except in rare and mostly individual cases, this is not so.
1. Teachers are not automatically paid commensurate with their skill, knowledge, talent or experience.
2. Teaching is still organized on an obsolete agricultural seasonal model in many parts of the country.
3. Teaching shares more in common with trade organizations than traditional professions. Particularly in hierarchy, wages, benefits, and prestige.
4. Teachers largely do not have support staff, as true professionals do.
5. True professions have never had governing bodies made up of people outside the profession to dictate policy and standards.
Of the various professional fields -- Medicine, Law, Politics, Business, Military Defense and Entertainment -- teaching can be compared to any of them and is found mostly wanting. Education should stand with all of them, but except in rare and mostly individual cases, this is not so.
1. Teachers are not automatically paid commensurate with their skill, knowledge, talent or experience.
2. Teaching is still organized on an obsolete agricultural seasonal model in many parts of the country.
3. Teaching shares more in common with trade organizations than traditional professions. Particularly in hierarchy, wages, benefits, and prestige.
4. Teachers largely do not have support staff, as true professionals do.
5. True professions have never had governing bodies made up of people outside the profession to dictate policy and standards.
While the attention of policy makers to the teaching profession is welcomed & needed, if teaching is to be a true profession, teachers must play a central role in making it so. Unfortunately, in most American communities teachers lack the most basic requirements of professionals -- respect, responsibility, & autonomy. By taking advantage of the national focus on the quality of our teaching force, teachers have an opportunity to change this situation. This will require, however, that teachers ask themselves what role they play in ensuring that there is a talented, dedicated, & well-prepared teacher in every classroom. For example: * What role do teachers play in recruiting high-quality individuals into the profession? In screening for quality "up front?" * How do we make sure that candidates get the best preparation program possible & that they have the knowledge & skills to teach before they enter our classrooms? * What role do veteran teachers play in supporting beginning teachers? How do we change a system that gives our newest teachers the most difficult classes & the extracurricular activities that no one else wants? * How do we help our colleagues improve their practice? * How do we open our own practice to examination? * How do we ensure that teachers are given opportunities to grow & to develop as professionals? * How do we encourage & reward excellence? * What do we do about the poorly performing teacher?What role must teachers play in ensuring quality -- in making teaching a true profession?Questions on "Making Teaching a True Profession"************************************************ 1. What role must teachers play in the support of beginning teachers? 2. What role must teachers play in helping all teachers improve their teaching? 3. What role must teachers play in encouraging & rewarding excellence in teaching? 4. What role must teachers play with poorly performing teachers? 5. What is one thing I can do, or one step I can take, to ensure that there is a talented, dedicated, & well-prepared teacher in every classroom? source: http://listserv.ed.gov/archives/edinfo/archived/msg00293.htmlDiscussion:
Mandates: Politics and Policy?
Icebreaker:
As a principal, many view the position as a position of power. Nevertheless, it is an influential position. How will you build respect and sustain relationships? What are a few key ideas to establish your position as principal?
Wrap-Up Questions:
In todays schools we often hear the comment "unfunded mandates" that have been placed on schools by way of legislation or policies. Please share whether you believe this is actually true and if it is, share one unfunded mandate that you feel should be funded. But even more important, tell me how you would suggest funding it responsibly.
Please share your thoughts on politics and education and why do we have policies? In addition, think about policy and what generates policy.
Power points for today are in your email...
No comments:
Post a Comment