Comments on: In Defense of Due Dates & Deadlines

By: Kris Giere

Kris Giere — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 02:21:54 +0000

What if it's neither?
As it's already been pointed, deadlines move in the real world with varying degrees of consequence. Equally true, deadlines do have consequences of some kind in most structures. We also know that standardized approaches fail students and that completely individualized approaches fail to scale in schools. What I still don't understand is why both sides continually frame the conversation in a binary juxtaposition. The current school and measurement structure is why most individualized approaches can't scale and why most ed reform movements fall back on standardized approaches that continue to fail parts of the student body no matter how tweaked the approach is. Accepting the system as is parallels the "can't see the water" analogy with fish. We must be cognizant of the water, and do our best to "just keep swimming" (cheesy, I know) without vilifying either side and making enemies of each other.

By: Cassie

Cassie — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 02:18:51 +0000

In reply to L. Flores. Oh goodness. Yes, precisely
Oh goodness. Yes, precisely that!

By: Blue Cereal

Blue Cereal — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 23:55:43 +0000

In reply to Tmlunday. That's a really good point.

That's a really good point. If I were to redo this post, I'd probably include some grade level distinctions.

I'm the first to criticize teacher chats that fling about overly-generalized policies and motivational nonsense based on very specific ages, demographics, and other factors that simply don't exist everywhere. Thanks for pointing out that doing the same thing from the other side doesn't fly either!

By: Tmlunday

Tmlunday — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 22:46:53 +0000

I agree because I know you
I agree because I know you teach HS. My 9 yr old has had 4 days of HW everyday since kindergarten, that I hate. I personally believe that middle school should be the starting point for homework and enforced more in HS. But I could also argue that school is their " jobs" and after 7-8 hours at work no one wants to do more work at home (unless you are a teacher). If I don't turn my grade in on time, I don't get docked 25% of my pay but my own kids get docked 25% of their grade if they turn work in a day late.

By: Tina

Tina — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 13:40:52 +0000

I second that amen!
“How many angry lil’ Republicans are created this way” made me laugh out loud. 😀

I feel the same about group work… I think I’m going to nix it altogether. I’m also going to find a way to include this entire blog post into my parent letter next year. LOL

Brava/Bravo!

By: L. Flores

L. Flores — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 02:20:21 +0000

Amen!
I have a pile of late work shoved in a corner somewhere. My pet peeve? When students turning in REALLY late work want it scored NOW---RIGHT NOW. I just smile and tell them that's an unrealistic expectation.