August 15, 2009
Objectivity Isn't Always the Best Approach
Like fairness, objectivity is a generally positive principle that needn't be — shouldn't be — the guiding principle in every circumstance. One circumstance in which a degree of subjectivity is appropriate, applied to a collection of objective criteria is the hiring of teachers, whatever their argument might currently be in Providence:
The union claims that Brady's hiring practice "eliminates in its entirety impartial and objective decision-making" because it requires the district to offer only an "adequate explanation" for teacher assignments.
So, as we've heard before, standardized testing is inappropriate because of all of the intangibles of teaching (i.e., it must be measured subjectively), and the hiring methodology of most of the rest of the economic world is inappropriate because it isn't sufficiently objective. Is Rhode Island done falling for this stuff, yet?
Justin talking about objectivity is equivalent to Attila the Hun talking about fine art.
OldTimeLefty
Justin,
Well said. In this case, the teachers want standardized treatment when it comes to their compensation but when it comes to judging theirs or a students performance, it needs to be objective. The difference between choosing objectivity vs. subjectivity might have something to with who benefits more.
I don't happen to like the standardized tests for judging teachers but still, it's all about THEM. (and I don't mean the students)
Let us thank OTL for another reasoned thoughtful and relevant contribution to this debate.
Posted by: msteven at August 15, 2009 6:28 PMJustin talking about objectivity is equivalent to ........
Republicans talking about personal responsibility
Archie Bunker talking about multiculturalism
Rick Pitino talking about table manners
John Depetro talking about Arbitron ratings
Dick Cheney talking about loyalty
The Luddites talking about blogging
Skunks talking about perfume
Gen. Custer talking about Native American rights. (He had deep reservations on the subject) I'm sorry.
Rush Limbaugh talking about drug abuse
Hannibal Lector talking about vegan cooking
Ted Kennedy talking about water safety
Pavorotti talking about hip hop
Pigs talking about self control (this one is for the pig obsessed Mike Cappelli)
Posted by: Phil at August 15, 2009 7:12 PMPhil
Should have been Dick Cheney talking about GUN SAFETY
and
Sarah Palin talking about birth control?
and
Gingrich talking about adultery
msteven,
I have noticed that you often function as Justin's attack dog. You declare a few of your prejudices, in agreement with whatever Attila The Objective Hun says and pass it off as level and reasoned comments, then you snip and snap at a disagreeing post and pat yourself on the back for a "reasoned debate". It is all very transparent, but opaque to you, poor fellow.
OldTimeLefty referring to others prejudices and snip and snap ant disagreeing posts is like … Attila the Hun talking about fine art. Poor fellow, pity to live with no intellectual integrity.
msteven
– Fairness police
msteven,
See my previous comment.
OldTimeLefty