Smagorinsky analyzes effects of standardization on teachers, student creativity

In a recent “Get Schooled” blog for the AJC, Peter Smagorinsky, Distinguished Research Professor of English Education in the Department of Language and Literacy Education, weighed in on how today’s corporate education model is affecting teachers and their ability to foster innovative and successful students.

According to Smagorinsky, many teachers believe their enthusiasm and dedication are increasingly undermined by today’s focus on standardized tests and production-line teaching methods. In fact, more and more educators are deferring to “scripted” curriculum-instead of individual assessments and instruction-to meet these requirements.

“When the whole of the curriculum is scripted and designed to prepare students for multiple-choice tests developed by people in the assessment business, what happens to teachers’ emphasis on preparing kids for life?” asked Smagorinsky, who is conducting a long-term study on how teachers’ careers unfold over time.