EDUCATION: In what other profession..?

“For no other profession do so many outsiders refuse to accept the realities of an imperfect world. Crime happens. Fire happens. Illness happens. As for lawyers and coaches, where there’s a winner there must also be a loser. People accept all these realities, until they apply to public education.

If a poverty-stricken, drug-addled meth-cooker burns down his house, suffers third degree burns, and then goes to jail; we don’t blame the police, fire department, doctors, and defense attorneys for his predicament. But if that kid doesn’t graduate high school, it’s clearly the teacher’s fault.”

                                                                  - David Reber

Fascinating article that highlights the unique challenges and perspective gaps related to how we evaluate educators. The issues surrounding education are complex. Schools are a unique intersection of expectation and diversity. Its impossible to please everyone, but its also easy to get on a high horse and tune all of the other voices out.  

I found one part of the article to be particularly insightful:

In what other profession are the licensed professionals considered the LEAST knowledgeable about the job? You seldom if ever hear “that guy couldn’t possibly know a thing about law enforcement – he’s a police officer”, or “she can’t be trusted talking about fire safety – she’s a firefighter.”

In what other profession is experience viewed as a liability rather than an asset?

I can think of one.