tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372317035256264363.post7894294801192381060..comments2024-01-14T02:35:04.947-06:00Comments on Reclaim Oklahoma Parent Empowerment: Today's Great Idea: Let's Borrow Money from A Bankrupt Federal Government to Create and Administer Tests for Pre-KindergartnersJenni L. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16384751674062669863noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372317035256264363.post-32899174877408565882011-11-23T10:09:19.148-06:002011-11-23T10:09:19.148-06:00Jenni --
I am writing this from the perspective t...Jenni --<br /><br />I am writing this from the perspective that, in academic circles, there appears to be a distinct difference between "training" and "educating". As a former military officer (Lt. Colonel) I can accept that distinction. For instance, when I was a Lieutenant my primary focus was on training a specified set of "training objectives" which were distinctly task oriented. However, to do a lot of the tasks required cognitive ability -- especially when the tasks where a combination of tasks or when the task at hand was to direct or lead others in a variety of conditions.<br /><br />But as I progressed in rank and went to higher level schooling (with instructors at the Masters and Phd level), the curricula and specific classes were expressed as "learning objectives". For instance, a given class in a specific subject area had a "terminal learning objective" (TLO) followed by a list of supporting "intermediate learning objectives" (ILOs).<br /><br />As a military officer, one of the things I liked was the opportunities available to engage as a trainer/educator concurrent with a line assignment or to be a full time instructor at a military institution. (I recall serving with a fellow Colonel who had been a Mathematics instructor at West Point, but had to jump through numerous hoops to get "certified" to teach in his local school system upon retirement. Go figure.) It was expected that leaders were prepared and expected to be trainers and teachers in a variety of subject matter, many of which may have to be "boned up"on (reviewed or newly learned) but taught to a standard.<br /><br />Upon returning from Vietnam and going back to college, I became appalled at the poor quality of instruction and presentation by most of my "professors". I also reflected on how poor some of my secondary teachers were. Seems too much emphasis on credentials rather than the capability to actually teach or instruct. It seems I am continuing to be amazed how complicated our elementary and secondary educational process has become. Now some people want a pre-K test/assessment. My question is: Where is the master list of Kindergarten TLOs and TOs from which a pre-K test would be derived from? If they exist, are parents allowed to see them and can they have input? Should not teachers (with even a Bachelors, much less a Masters degree) be able to develop such things (curricula and tests) individually on their own? My point is, I knew sergeants with only a few years of service and without degrees that could do those things with only a modicum of instruction. But the key ingredient seemed to always be that all were inspired to be leaders and do the things leaders do and are. I wonder if our college and K-12 folks feel the same way, or has inspiration been stolen from them.<br /><br />DanMarkWardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17859408177163125118noreply@blogger.com