Annapolis Capital Punishment

I received a recorded phone message from my son's middle school principal informing me about a survey--a very important survey I was told, from the MD Department of Education, that was given to my son. We opened and read the five paragraph letter that came from an assistant state superintendent (with a Ed.D in fact!)and two pages of ridiculous, useless and pointless bureaucratic questions. This very important survey was developed by none other than a national center. The assistant state superintendent with the Ed.D. told me that "all states must collect these data as part of their State Performance Plan as required under federal law." No doubt there would be many more people with these Ed.D.'s poring over all these data.

The first paragraph told me that if the survey was not relevant to my child that I should call the MD Department of Education and "disregard the remainder of the letter." ???? I can just imagine the conversation in that call. To cut to the chase, the survey asked 32 questions about how the school worked with me, and focused on administrative and bureaucratic procedures, flow of information etc. There was not a single question, NOT ONE about my child! Not one! Not one about his progress, performance or accomplishments. Not one about quality of services or teaching. They did wish to know if the school "respected my cultural heritage". My cultural heritage. Yeah, my cultural heritage was that I went to public schools and teachers were expected to teach and students were expected to learn.

I am relieved that a person with a Ed.D. after her name took the time and spent my money to write, copy and mail me a letter and a survey and more money on a SASE to return and then to crunch the data, no doubt to make a big report.

And remember, if this posting is not relevant to you, be sure to call me and disregard it. Pretend it's from our educracy. I hope this posting has respected your cultural heritage.

P.S. In fairness to the State Dep't of Education, I had a pleasant and detailed conversation with one of the MDE professionals behind the letter and the survey. The gentleman was a serious, knowledgeable and considerate state employee who listened and responded carefully to my concerns. Suffice it to say that this thing partially emanates from federal law and federal bureaucracy.