Elitism - A Closer Look

The dialogue below was prompted by a phone conversation I had with one of my sons as I drove along the Texas coastline for a presentation and at the same time to see my youngest grandchild.

He was concerned about the education system. Even though his own son is only three months old, he expressed his concern about our current education system. We talked about how teachers view their profession. Would his son's teachers really care about teaching more than just having a secure job that gives them a decent paycheck or getting a couple of months off during the summer. Would they have the skills needed to be effective? Do they see a need to improve their practice?

As we talked several thoughts came to mind one which may be considered an elitist thought--only the best teachers should be certified to teach. I'm an old man with four special grandkids. I know that all of my sons have these thoughts and one of them just put it forward. They are more mature and ready to do something about their education than I was when they were growing up. I know that as parents we want the best for our children and this often means giving them the best education we can afford. As a grandparent, I have more urgent thoughts.

Unfortunately, I fear an education system and society that doesn't have the same high expectations. The current accountability schemes hide and deflect us away from a serious issue--recruiting and supporting the best teachers. We are more concerned about those that are in the classroom more than the ones that are entering the profession. Not that we shouldn't do both, but we're treating the symptoms rather than doing something about the cause.

To take action parents first have to value education. Our thoughts are to do everything possible to nurture our kids' love for learning. Although we're never satisfied, the best we could hope for is that they all received the education they needed to get ahead in life--an education that allows them the opportunity to follow their dreams. Why settle for mediocrity?

Exceptional teachers spend long days with little pay to reward their effort. Today teachers don't receive the respect they deserve from their students, their parents, and politicians. Rarely do these individuals  have an idea of the work teachers do. In fact, many parents and politicians think that anyone can become a teacher. If they had the lackluster teacher, I don't blame them of thinking that way. What we need to advocate is that teachers receive the best education, the best opportunities for growth once they're in the profession, and the support they need when they encounter kids challenged by poverty and social ills.

The reality is that only a small number of those entering the teaching profession have the determination and desire to do what it takes to be an outstanding teacher under these circumstances. Few have the content preparation that would equal that of someone in the field in which they teach. For example, science and mathematics teachers most of the time don't have the content preparation that those in the field possess. When they do the results are evident. Few have an understanding of how to deal with the issues students bring to the classroom. Many leave the profession because of the lack of support.

You probably are beginning to feel a concern with my comments about the lack of content and pedagogical preparation that many teachers possess. But as a parent and grandparent, we expect the best teachers for our kids. I hope you know what I mean. If you're a teacher you know that you can use the training, the time to prepare for difficult kids, and the support needed to make a difference. The United States is one of the few developed countries that spend less on the children that need the most help. We track our students into gifted and talented, honors, advanced placement, and college bound and leave many children behind in the process. We don't have the same expectations of all children.

We also need to have higher standards for those going in to the teaching profession. It seems like an elitist idea, but its a reality. Every child deserves the best teachers. Those with the best content and teaching preparation are those who take their learning and profession seriously enough to focus on being the best. If we set the bar higher individuals wanting to enter the profession will work harder to make the grade.

The doctor to whom we entrust our life aren't accepted in to medical school with a GPA lower than a 3.4 on a 4 point scale, yet many states accept teachers with GPA's below 2.5. Most of us wouldn't be comfortable with someone who didn't take their preparation or profession seriously. Again, our children deserve the best.

It's often said that you can teach what you don't understand and anyone with a low grade point average is likely not to understand or know their content. With more rigorous standards for teachers the likelihood that they would have more rigorous standards for our children is evident.

Teachers also need to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. It doesn't do society any good to have high standards for our children, when their teachers aren't expected to be critical thinkers or problem solvers. When we except more of those who teach our children, then we insure that they deserve our respect. In the end the teaching profession will be elevated.

Over my forty years in education, I've had the pleasure of working with many science educators. My expectations of them are high and many have set some pretty high expectations of themselves. We need to continue to raise the bar for ourselves and for those entering our profession. It isn't elitism, its a necessity. We owe it to our kids.