Thread by @WeirdEducator

(1) appreciate the work @itslaurasplace does for the #SantaMariaTimes, but the people who were highlighted in this recent article are using terms they don’t understand, particularly “equity.” santamariatimes.com/news/local/edu…

(2) So, for example, they have justified ending reading novels as part of their “vision” and “equity.” They’re also sticking to a strict pacing guide for a drill-and-kill workbook. They’ve also ended essay writing. That’s not equity: that’s a terrible version of equality.

(3) So, these people are using all of the fancy jargon that sounds great in the press and in board meetings, but in practice it’s a dictatorial approach to education that violates academic freedom and doesn’t actually engender passion for learning or reading in students.

(4) I would like parents in Santa Maria to know the horrific educational pendulum swing the people at the #SMBSD district have initiated. No teacher in their right mind thinks this is a good idea. No one should take their “equity” talk seriously. @itslaurasplace

I would be curious to get @SamRochadotcom to put in his two cents about a school district ending the reading of novels and no longer teaching essay writing. You’re more of an expert than I am.

@se4realhinton I taught The Outsiders for years as a jr high teacher. We looked at figures of speech, plot diagrams, wrote essays and alternate endings, and even did simulations of therapy sessions for the characters. Now, our district has prohibited the reading of novels. (1/2)

@se4realhinton I’m curious, Ms. Hinton, what’s your take on a school district telling teachers to stop reading novels and focus solely on workbooks with anthologies and drill-and-kill questions? How would that sort of education have changed your life? @itslaurasplace

I have a question for everyone: what #novel did you read in school that made an impact in your life? For me, it was reading The Outsiders in junior high and then Crime and Punishment in high school. Both books still resonate with me! 📚 @itslaurasplace

@historysandoval @ShowTeachers @WeAreCTA @SMEEA_1949 @samdemuro Curious to hear your favorite novel from when you were in school!

@threadreaderapp @SantaMariaTimes @SantaMariaSun Read the thread! You need to know that the SMBSD has canceled reading novels and writing essays in the name of “equity.” Parents need to know this! We hope you can report this!

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