New Era: The Sacrifice of Individual Differences to the False Claim of Scientifically Based Instruction

Authors

  • Miriam Cherkes-Julkowski

Abstract

By making the general curriculum the reference point for all considerations, The New Era proposals set forth by the President's Commission are devoid of all considerations of individual differences. Rather than tailoring rEP's to the particular learning characteristics of individual children, it is suggested that one kind of good, scientifically and research-based instruction fits all. In fact, IEP's are reduced to being guides that have no contractual value. The individual is of so little relevance that assessment is hardly needed except for that assessment which tneasures success and failure in the general curriculum. Ability-achievement discrepancies are abandoned and with them the last vestige of individual differences.

Issue

Section

Articles