Creatively Ironic

The behavioral consultant (BCBA) who leads the team of tutors that works with our daughter turned me onto another great writer and researcher in the area of educational reform. I've found that the educational system in the U.S. (and indeed the entire world) hasn't changed much since the concept of classroom education began back in the 16th century. Glenn Latham wrote an article back in 1997 called Behind the Schoolhouse Door: Eight Skills that Every Teacher Should Have:

Skill #1 The ability to teach expectations.
Skill #2 The ability to get and keep students on task.
Skill #3 The ability to maintain a high rate of positive teacher-to-pupil interactions.
Skill #4 The ability to respond noncoercively to inappropriate behavior that is
consequential.
Skill #5 The ability to maintain a high rate of risk-free student response opportunities.
Skill #6 The ability to serve problem-behavior students in the primary learning environment (that is, the classroom).
Skill #7 The ability to avoid being trapped.
Skill #8 The ability to manage behavior "scientifically."

This is one of the better common-sense appeals to teacher training that I have seen. Sad to read that Dr. Latham passed away several year ago.