Young teachers aren’t buying it, either. That’s one of the main findings from a recent Public Agenda poll of teachers from three generations. “Generation Y” teachers are very skeptical of ideas that dominate current debates on school reform. This finding does not bode well for the reform agenda. It suggests that policy makers and pundits may be alienating the very people who must carry out the reforms.
The poll results tell us that resistance to some of the big reform ideas is by no means confined to old union stalwarts. The younger folk don’t believe test scores should be the main determinant of teacher pay. They believe it should be easier to remove bad teachers, but they don’t tenure should go the way of the dodo.
It’s at least as interesting to note what the young ‘uns do want. They want staff development, help with discipline, constructive feedback on their teaching, and the chance to collaborate with their peers.