revolutionary pedagogy

last night, MadMedia performed "Revolution/Revelation" at the Guadalupe theater. I did a tongue-in-cheek fake conference presentation called "Revolutionary Pedagogy: The psychometric invalidity of high-stakes testing in Texas" (followed by a lucha libre/wrestling skit, pitting "El Inmigrante vs. La Migra"). i gave a cheesy powerpoint covering the debate on TAKS testing, and the argument in favor of a boycott. then it digressed as my character became excited and frantic. more or less a caricature of how passionate educators get when talking about TAKS, contrasted with the audience - like society at large, they remain oblivious to the intensity of the issue. those who are not educators don't fully realize the daily harm TAKS does to our students until it's waved right in front of them.

test corporation executives, of course, realize the harm, but they are well compensated, and keep their mouths shut.

the fake presentation went well, there were people cheering at a couple of slides, and others obviously upset by it. i don't need everyone to agree with me. i just need them to consider the issue, because right now we leave it in the hands of ignorant politicians. i say ignorant because they have no idea what actually helps students learn (see Valenzuela, 2005). every moment testing is a moment without teaching.

i'll put a copy of the powerpoint on my website. thanks to everyone who came out to the show - and as for the teachers who were disturbed: don't shoot the messenger; it was a half-joke anyway. there will be no riot police if teachers stand up for themselves. only vilification. but they vilify us already.
-- kip austin hinton