I had to share this latest development involving the NEA in the movement towards national standards, though in this article they are referred to as voluntary state standards. It is a very interesting development as NEA is not usually aligned with the work of Achieve, the Business Roundtable, State Boards of Education, and the Governor’s Association.
I wonder what additional leverage this will provide the movement and how Duncan might take advantage of it. What are your thoughts? Will the inclusion of NEA make a significant difference in this initiative? Will the partnership be able to sustain over the time period required for something of this magnitude?
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while I agree that including teacher voice is important to the process, I don't know that that will really be what they are getting. Will whoever represents NEA in this effort be able to set aside their political agenda for the purposes of focusing on producing high quality standards. I grew doubtful when I read the following paragraph.
"While applauding this collaborative effort to establish better quality academic standards, NEA is also committed to promoting standards for learning that support and provide resources for schools, teachers and students. International benchmarking against academic standards must be comprehensive and include accountability for child well-being, facilities and supplies."
Academic standards don't "support and provide resources." Academic standards don't include "accountability for child well-being, facilities and supplies." The creation of academic standards has nothing to do with assessment, instructional practice, curriculum, or the provision of resources. Stakeholders with those areas as their focus will struggle to keep a vision of the knowledge and skills our students will need central during the process.
I applaud NEA's desire to be included and their inclusion. But I remain skeptical. The process of arriving at consensus on a set of standards will be really hard work. It will be impossible work if people approach the process looking to influence the outcome so that the standards will achieve other ends than just being standards.
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