Hey Kid! Pull Yourself up by Your Bootstraps and Get Some True Grit!
by H.D. Worth, Teacher in the Trenches
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word grit? Grit, as in hard abrasive particles of sand, stone or gravel? Grits, as in the Southern breakfast delicacy? True Grit, as in John Wayne wearing an eye patch? G.R.I.T., as in “God, Really, It’s Terrible.”
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word grit? Grit, as in hard abrasive particles of sand, stone or gravel? Grits, as in the Southern breakfast delicacy? True Grit, as in John Wayne wearing an eye patch? G.R.I.T., as in “God, Really, It’s Terrible.”
The educational buzzword and current fad of the day is
“grit.” According to corporate reformers, “grit” is now the most
important indicator in determining academic success. In the educational
world, it’s the personality trait of students who don’t give up on a task,
whatever it may be, and are resilient in the face of failure over a long period
of time.
These reformers will tell you “grit” is more important
than teachers motivating students to love a subject and engaging them in a
journey of life-long learning. It’s more important than a kid’s innate
intelligence or natural ability. It’s more important than giving kids
room to experiment with a variety of subjects, including art and music.
It’s more important than the motivation that comes from students finding
pleasure in accomplishing a personal goal. It’s more important than a
safe, nurturing classroom environment.
“Grit” means that kids just need to learn how to tough
things out, no matter how miserable the task at hand. It means kids need
plenty of opportunities to fail and then attempt to rebound. Even
if a student has a learning disability, lack of background knowledge, or lack
of basic skills, copious amounts of “grit” are all that are needed.
If a kid is poor? He or she just needs more “grit.”
If poverty is a problem in the community? “Grit” is the solution.
“Grit” completely ignores the fact that poverty leads to
adverse effects on learning due to a higher rate of homelessness, poor
nutrition, lack of health care, substandard living conditions, inadequately
funded schools, abuse and neglect, behavioral and socio-emotional issues, and
developmental delays. I guess kids are expected to “grit” their way
through hunger and pain; there is no need to take care of them.
Why is the “grit” fad spreading so quickly? Common
Core proponents, like Arnie Duncan and Bill Gates, know that their business
plan is in trouble. Now they can blame kids for not having enough “grit”
to conquer material that isn’t developmentally appropriate. They can say
kids just need to “grit” it out on standardized tests, like the PARCC, which
are tedious and poorly constructed. They will tell you kids need more “grit”
to fit into their one-size-fits-all reform box.
And by the way, the oligarchs couldn’t be happier now
that they have another excuse to completely dismantle the social safety
net. So pick yourself up by your bootstraps, kid, and get yourself some “grit.”
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