Alfie (Gengis) Kohn

It is understandable that Alfie (we use first names, we are tight) would be against the race to the top and rewards for test scores, but I find it a bit surprising that urban schools use more worksheets and rote memorization than suburban schools.  Maybe it is because I went to a suburban high school in the 90's and I can tell you, there was not a lot of creativity going on in most of my classrooms.  For me, English class was a wonderful escape from the other drudgery that was school.  We were encouraged to ask questions, think even.  Then it would be back to history class.  Read this, write this, think that.  Still there is no denying the differences in how urban and suburban students are taught, which means a difference between White and minority students which is the real issue at hand.  Alfie has a great line, "The richer get richer and the poor get worksheet".  Deborah Stipek, the Dean at Stanfords school of education says that the middle class is not drill-and-skill instructed but for some reason the poor kids are.  Why?  I can see one reason why.  Alfie says mostly White, energetic, college students stop by to lend a hand.  So suburban schools are not getting the best support it would seem.  I see.  These kids are taught not by the best or even the average, and they are taught basic skills (not challenging), sequential curricula (no creativity), tight control of instruction by the teacher (no choice, no fun).  Then again, teaching a bunch of poor kids how to think rather than how to follow instructions could upset the balance of power.  Like teaching slaves how to read!  Very dangerous! (Sarcasm for those not perceptive)