The “Test and Punish” era of education mainstreamed by the “No Child Left Behind Act” of 2002 is ongoing, but because of initiatives like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) room has been made for some important curriculum pieces to return.
Ironically we might be in a better position to include more of the cut pieces because in many places there are teacher shortages. Here in Vegas they started the year 800 teachers short and that is an improvement from previous years when there were as many as 2,500 teacher shortages. My last 2 years in the classroom were a stressful disaster because I had a superintendent and principal that essentially cut science, social studies, art, PE and most recess from the curriculum and mandated “research based” programs and 6 different assessment pieces. I did my best to sneak in what I could but that just got me into trouble (“Good trouble?”). Very ironically the state recruited me out of the classroom as a trainer (Learning Facilitator) to teach teachers throughout the state how and why to do what I wasn’t allowed to do anymore.
So what does that have to do with perhaps being able to incorporate the curriculum pieces that were cut? Depending on your situation, and for some this will be more stressful, if filling teacher vacancies (which is a national issue, especially in low socio-economic areas) is a problem (and as as a few friends have mentioned with a wry smile), “What are they going to do? Fire you?
Beyond that more aggressive posture I do see and hear from colleagues that in general things have lightened up to a degree. Mostly at middle class and above schools, but maybe progress is being made? One concern is that many teachers now have little experience providing learning experiences in those areas. Just one of the consequences of test and punish.
Learning Is Messy!