This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Why We're Different

In a recent Washington Post article, nationally recognized social studies teacher Ron Maggiano provides a heart rending explanation of why he has resigned from teaching after 33 years on the job.

He writes:

"Our classrooms have become intellectual deserts where students are not allowed to use their imagination and their natural curiosity in order to learn new tasks and explore new ideas. Teachers who dare to be innovative and creative are more often than not viewed as a threat to the testing regime and its priorities.

Academic freedom has been replaced with a lock-step approach to learning in which testing has become an end in itself. This is not progress, and it is not reform.  It is, however, a threat to our students, their future, and our future as a nation."

Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On the other hand....

MISD's 20/20 Vision supports the kind of innovative teaching and student creativity that is being drained from classrooms across our country. The Mercer Island Schools Foundation generously provides resources for teachers to bring these experiences to our students. Our community consistently steps up and contributes to the annual Bridge The Gap Campaign to keep class sizes manageable. 

Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Without these cooperative efforts and shared vision it would be frighteningly easy to fall into the standardized testing morass. Let's not go there. Let's continue to stand apart because our students score well on tests AND become innovative problem solvers. 

We can do it all. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Mercer Island