Maine ASCD Weblog

The Human Factor

In a recent article It's Time to Address the Human Factor in Education Reform, by Jean Johnson, Executive Vice President of Public Agenda, the author makes a strong case that social and psychological factors - what she called "human factors" are critical to American schools reform efforts. She comments that these factors are generally ignored and specifically lists the issues as: a general apathy or confusion on the part of parents and the general public about school reform efforts and particularly NCLB; the fact that school leaders are frequently pulled in many directions - distracting their attention from the important work that needs to be done; a low level of teacher morale; an assumption by the general population that this is a "school problem;" and a reluctance to accept and respond to the fact that many of these problems are deep and difficult social issues.

I encourage you to read this brief article and perhaps use it as an catalyst to discuss these concerns with a wider audience.

~John Brandt

Educator Working Conditions

I just finished reading "Teacher Working Conditions as Catalysts for Student Learning" the ASCD InfoBrief for October 2005. The article makes some strong points about the relationship between teachers working conditions and how well students learn. Not surprisingly, the article referred to several research studies that found a positive correlation between the two. The article also referenced the Teacher Working Conditions Toolkit website which provides a number of great resources for helping to improve the workspace environment.

I was particularly interested in the whole issue of teacher workload. I recall that there was a task force on this topic last year to study teacher workload in Maine. I have it from reliable sources in the Maine Department of Education that a report was written by this task force but has yet to be released. Perhaps the educators writing the report are too tired.

Interest in this comes for rather selfish reasons. It is having an adverse effect on Maine ASCD. The association cannot survive if all of the members have reached total exhaustion.

A colleague of mine indicated that the current mantra in her district was - "...we are focusing on next week and five years from now...everything in between is off the radar screen..."

I think this may be literally true for most educators in Maine. I understand that the SAU Review process has been particularly grueling for school districts and the increased demands of NCLB and reporting and assessing and measuring, and . . . are taking their toll.

I hope that educators in Maine can find the strength and courage to take control of this situation and overcome burnout. Reading this InfoBrief, and the related resources will be a good first step.

"Teacher Working Conditions as Catalysts for Student Learning"

Teacher Working Conditions Toolkit website

~ John Brandt