Abolish the status-quo
In these times we hear talk directed at many aspects of our modern society to abolish the status-quo. Perhaps this is a good time to have the same discussion in regard to education, chiefly reducing teacher workload.
The answer is simply obvious and based on reality.
“Remember, the full-time classroom teacher, day-in, day-out, teaches 90 percent of a 25 to 30-hour timetabled week.
This leaves a mere 10 percent of time allocated to complete two remaining, yet fundamental, aspects of the role: marking and planning. This places an incredible burden on that 10 percent – and leaves all other tasks to be completed in our own time.
To reduce workload, we need to consider reducing the teaching load to one-third. That way, we could teach for 33 percent of the time and divide the remaining 66 percent between planning and marking.
Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash
Imagine that! Directed time for planning lessons, marking books, and reflecting on teaching and learning during the school day. ” – Ross McGill
Why is it always assumed that we will just keep taking it on? Yes, we love teaching and we feel it is an art, science, and a calling. But we also feel taken advantage of when initiative after initiative is added to our workload.
Let’s start over. Let’s look at a school calendar year, month, week, and day and ask ourselves some hard questions. What can we reasonably expect a child to obtain proficiency in? Look at all these standards, is this a reasonable model for learning, or a lesson sure to fail or sheer lunacy? Are there any models existing on our planet we could emulate in this regard?
The time has come and perhaps it is well past time for a new, Modest Proposal, though not quite in the spirit of Jonathan Swift. A modest proposal based on reality, that genuinely looks after the well-being of those that are charged with the education of our dearest resource. We can no longer afford to dance around and ignore this issue. It is the proverbial elephant in the room.
If not now, then when?