[MCP] Gorski article in Rethinking Schools

[Paul C. Gorski]

Thanks, Jenny.

This is fascinating, and probably a good point of reflection for all of us.

I hear a lot of people talk about having "aha" moments in Payne's
workshops. But there seems to be an assumption that having an "aha" moment
means you've been given the correct information. So we have a lot of
teachers saying "aha" and buying into misinformation, mostly because
Payne's work supports the stereotypes they already have.

A gender-based example: Some people are convinced that girls just don't
like computers, period. This point often is raised in my classes. "Aha,"
that must be why only 1/5 of AP computer science test-takers are girls and
why the exact same 1/5 of IT professionals are women, right?

Wrong. The problem is you start with misinformation (girls just don't like
computers, which is factually false), then apply that misinformation to
try to understand something way too complex and systemic than can be
captured in an "aha" moment. This is how we get the "culture of poverty"
(dozens of studies have disproven the existence of a culture of poverty
over the past 40+ years) and deficit theory.

Payne's work should be dismissed first and foremost because it is just
plain inaccurate and inconsistent with loads of research. And this is what
makes all those "aha"s super-dangerous.

Paul

> Hi Paul,
> I recently read your excellent article along with Anita Bohn's critique
> of Ruby Payne's philosophy.  Both articles have helped me clarify in my
> own mind why I haven't found Payne's work to be of much use in the
> teacher education field and classroom.  I have found, particulary with
> West Virginia teachers, that there is an initial 'aha' moment, but then
> no enhancement in learning or student motivation that is visible from
> applying Payne's ideas.  The ideas of 'privilege' and our own failures
> as a society to examine the complex solutions needed to eradicate
> classism are not addressed by Payne.
> My thought is that Payne has gained popularity due to the times we are
> in - Bush economics and NCLB.
>
> I also want to highly recommend the journal of Rethinking Schools.  It
> continues to be the best source of ideas and strategies for me towards
> improving muticultural education and social justice in schools.
> Jenny
>
> Jenny Bardwell
> HSTA Curriculum Coordinator
> http://www.wv-hsta.org
> PO Box 9026
> West Virginia University
> Morgantown, WV  26506
> jbardwell at hsc.wvu.edu
> 304-293-1443
> 800-345-4267 ( only in WV)
>
>
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-- 
Paul C. Gorski
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