This is a really informative, on-point piece about the challenges long faced in progressive education. In my more hopeful moments, I like to think that the AI juggernaut will force a reckoning with all those lousy, canned writing assignments, but I worry that the trend continues in the quantification, one-size direction. I also like how you attack “career” as a euphemism for “labor,” a term that makes the power dynamic more explicit. These lines of yours are very insightful:
A King of Royal euphemisms, “career” holds those students not destined for college accountable for their decisions in a way those headed for the university are not. University bound students see counselors. This dichotomy represents a societal capitulation: Even prison can be a career, and the guy did it to himself.
Power has a silent approach to Human Resources and uses soft language. Career is a linguistic tool of oppression David Coleman, who is single handedly responsible for the Common Core, used very deliberately. As Freire taught us, oppressors are effective when they teach the oppressed that the oppressed are not as good as the oppressor, that they should aspire to a life of quality like that of the oppressor. When I look into the eyes of the oppressor and think “I want to be like you,” the powerful have won their game. I think this dynamic is at play in the cult of Trump. Anyway, career is such a tool. Who would not want a career? Beats the hell out of a job eh? And high school is here to help you.
I like how you sprinkle a little hope throughout this piece. But overall the picture is pretty grim. I would love to hear more about aesthetic reading. This is something a colleague and I were just discussing today. I’d also love to hear more about the possibility of portfolio work and preparation for life beyond the classroom. That vector sounds like an untapped resource. Thanks for this post. Much food for thought.
This is a really informative, on-point piece about the challenges long faced in progressive education. In my more hopeful moments, I like to think that the AI juggernaut will force a reckoning with all those lousy, canned writing assignments, but I worry that the trend continues in the quantification, one-size direction. I also like how you attack “career” as a euphemism for “labor,” a term that makes the power dynamic more explicit. These lines of yours are very insightful:
A King of Royal euphemisms, “career” holds those students not destined for college accountable for their decisions in a way those headed for the university are not. University bound students see counselors. This dichotomy represents a societal capitulation: Even prison can be a career, and the guy did it to himself.
Power has a silent approach to Human Resources and uses soft language. Career is a linguistic tool of oppression David Coleman, who is single handedly responsible for the Common Core, used very deliberately. As Freire taught us, oppressors are effective when they teach the oppressed that the oppressed are not as good as the oppressor, that they should aspire to a life of quality like that of the oppressor. When I look into the eyes of the oppressor and think “I want to be like you,” the powerful have won their game. I think this dynamic is at play in the cult of Trump. Anyway, career is such a tool. Who would not want a career? Beats the hell out of a job eh? And high school is here to help you.
I like how you sprinkle a little hope throughout this piece. But overall the picture is pretty grim. I would love to hear more about aesthetic reading. This is something a colleague and I were just discussing today. I’d also love to hear more about the possibility of portfolio work and preparation for life beyond the classroom. That vector sounds like an untapped resource. Thanks for this post. Much food for thought.