The Freedom to Teach or be Imprisoned by Data
from Asia's Think Tank
The Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) has created a system
to produce and sell standards, curriculum materials, textbooks, and
assessments. Working with federal agencies and corporate sponsors, the
CCSSI has foisted itself upon half the states. The last piece of the
system is data collection. Bill Gates and government officials have long
sought to track students’ beliefs and performance. Now they would like
to micromanage educators, as well. This puts the CCSSI on a collision
course with parents, teachers, and civil libertarians who do not trust
the government to use such data wisely.
… All states and districts should collect common data on teachers and students.
One shudders to think where we are headed. Do children have any right to
privacy, or does “affective computing” preempt it? Will teachers remain
free to adjust lesson plans to better serve students, or will a new
Taylorism be the wave of the future? Will the new mind-reading
technologies obviate the need for the reflective practice of teaching?
Are there any limits on government or on how intrusive technocrats can
be?
Welcome to the Brave New World of Education brought to you by Mr. Gates and the Oligarchs using largely your tax dollars.
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