Right-thinking Teachers

In the Washington Post yesterday there was an opinion piece where author Frederick M. Hesse stated that teachers colleges wrongly promote policies that embrace certain perspectives on complex social issues involving race, sexuality and power. Hesse says empirical evidence hasn't proven that such personal philosophies improve instructional effectiveness.

It caught my eye because I don't view that personal philosophies improve or lessen a person's instruction. A xenophobic teacher can probably teach just as well as a less fearful or more tolerant teacher. What seems to be missed by the focus of this piece is the importance of bringing up different perspectives. What not have a debate (age-appropriate and within the confines of the curriculum) about cultural relativism or absolutist moral thinking on the topics of sexual orientation or race or class. In this excerpt:

"One can sympathize with the sentiments at work. Moreover, in theory, academics can argue that merely addressing these issues implies no ideological bias. But in practice, education courses addressing "white privilege" and the "language of oppression" typically endorse particular views on issues such as affirmative action and student discipline. These codes have real consequences."

I would simply ask the students to decide. Is it a case of white privilege? Could people of colour made their way to the top of the corporate latter? Why or why not? If not, is 'White Privilege' the only reason? What are some remedies? etc., etc.

"The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education -- which established requirements that would-be teachers embrace "multicultural and global perspectives" and develop "dispositions that respect and value differences" -- has tried to backpedal recently by protesting that it didn't "expect or require institutions to attend to any particular political or social ideologies." Much more is needed. The cultivation of right-thinking cadres has no place in America's colleges and universities."

I am not sure that I've EVER been in a class where the professor is forcing her opinions on the political landscape of the country or world to allow for 'right-thinking cadres'. What ever happened to letting the student-teachers form their own opinions? It does happen.