The relationship between knowledge and power, within the social and political contexts of our schools, has placed burdensome external controls on teachers and students, controls ranging from excessive regulation to massive testing. Current policies that focus on national testing and national standards are too narrow. There is no one approach that can work for all kids. Our testing and standards policies must take into account the many diverse learning styles in our student population. We must put an end to deficit terminology and labeling.
Children are capable of much more than teachers and parents generally realize.
In the school of the 21 st Century, teachers will have to challenge traditional approaches to teaching and learning by modeling a collaborativeform of practitioner inquiry. Teachers need to encourage students to question answers and to express their own viewpoints. They have to provide ways for students to participate in the discourse that shapes their lives. Curiosity, industry, and imagination should be encouraged and rewarded. Teachers need more autonomy and the ability to create exciting educational experiences for students.