[etni] HOTS and other complex issues

From: lauraine glazer <lauraineglazer@xxxxxxxxx>
To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 00:55:12 -0700 (PDT)
Dear friends and colleagues
 
I don't write on the etni list frequently enough but I read the posts every 
day. Therefore, I am part of the silent majority who has not expressed an 
opinion but I think my opinion differs slightly to what I have been reading.
 
The situation is much more complex than just implementing the HOTS in the 
coming school year. There are a number of factors that are making our work 
increasingly difficult. 
Firstly, the ongoing Irgun sanctions (two years) which have prevented us from 
doing projects with our students. This resulted in some very unpleasant 
situations last year during the oral bagrut testing period when teachers had 
to implement their own HOTS and a lot of creativity to test and be tested. It 
is a problematic situation where the teachers have been left in the middle and 
the Irgun and the MOE have not made any progress at all about resolving this 
issue. I find it strange that the English department that is advocating 
implementing the HOTS program for students is not using some of the same HOTS 
to negotiate creatively with the Irgun and reach some sort of 
compromise. That's for starters.
 
As far as the HOTS is concerned, after battling with my conscience, I have 
decided to go ahead and give the hishtalmut in my area for next year . Firstly, 
teachers have to know what they are dealing with before they start teaching, 
even if the program should be revised - "forewarned is forearmed". Despite the 
Irgun sanctions, many teachers have registered and are willing to learn what 
the new program is all about. I think that this is legitimate. I am sure that 
the program will undergo changes and adaptations because of the dynamic nature 
of the teachers and the material. Even if theoretically the program should be 
implemented in L1 classrooms in the lower grades, this can also be adapted for 
the EFL classroom. (the first NBA hishtalmuyot were quite different to the more 
recent ones that were given because it is obvious that once we start working on 
a program changes will occur). 
 
On the other hand, we have to consider the tenth grade students of this coming 
year who will supposedly be taking the literature module in the 12th grade. 
This is where my dilemmas start working overtime. Do I implement the program at 
school? What will happen to these students if I don't? If the MOE doesn't back 
down they are going to suffer and will I be responsible for them not succeeding 
in their exams (or getting into med school or spoiling their chances at....)
 
As both an English coordinator and a bagrut coordinator I have had experience 
that these sanctions always boomerang on us. One year I was instructed not to 
send out the magen grades of all the bagrut exams as part of the Irgun 
sanctions. Needless to say, I had to spend about 30 hours of my own time 
writing them out and sending them towards the end of the summer when the MOE 
didn't back down and the students would not have received their grades and 
their bagrut certificates. Think of the oral bagrut last year, it was a farce. 
I am afraid that the same thing will happen with the literature module - if we 
don't start teaching until all the pedagogical and Irgun issues are resolved, 
both students and teachers are going to suffer the consequences.
 
I am not presenting any solutions. I am only suggesting that we realize that we 
are not only dealing with the HOTS issue - the situation is more complex than 
only the one issue. I do suggest that the teachers take the hishtalmut so that 
they can be prepared and they can know what they are objecting to.
 
Many weeks ago I suggested a meeting of as many teachers as possible with Ran 
Erez and Judy Steiner. Perhaps that is to utopian. What about calling for a 
meeting of all coordinators with Dr. Shoshani, Gidon Saar and Judy Steiner and 
any other relevant representatives of the MOE before school starts? We are all 
dedicated, professional teachers and I feel quite depressed at the thought of 
beginning another uncertain year.
Hoping and praying for a good, successful and peaceful year
Lauraine

      
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[etni] HOTS and other complex issues

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