Why does Montgomery County Public Schools believe it is preparing kids for the world of work?
More and more, I have noticed educators in public school districts, including a lot of MCPS people, making some pretty weird claims about the world of work.
Over the course of my own professional career, I’m glad I got to work in both worlds—public education—I worked for MCPS nearly 20 years—and the business—since 1998, I have worked for two different D.C.-area research companies. Frankly, I’m now at a place where I rarely trust what those who have not worked in the private for-profit world have to say about the day-to-day in the private for-profit workplace. I just don’t think they have credibility.
So, here is an interesting paragraph from Washington Post writer Michael Chandler—it appeared in a recent blog about MCPS Superintendent Joshua P. Starr and his most recent book club pick "Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" by Daniel Pink. Chandler writes: "Extrinsic motivators, such as financial incentives, helped speed up assembly lines during the industrial age. But they don’t work as well to encourage the creative thinking or sound judgment needed in the more complex jobs that characterize today’s economy."
Click here to read Chandler’s entire post.
The above is pretty easy to say or believe if you don't actually work in the private for-profit world. But if you work in a for-profit situation you know that money always matters, including financial incentives. Could any of us imagine, for example, selling this “B.S.” about how financial incentives don’t matter to Facebook workers? On the eve of Facebook going public, their workers are getting ready to “get paid,” and probably already have their luxury car brochures printed out. Sure some of these workers do what they do not just for the money. But come on people, “getting paid” is pretty rewarding!
My current Montgomery County company is no Facebook, but workers at my company know that they can earn additional bonus money if they work harder, and many do work harder because they are motivated by the extra cash.
I would say that in past two years I have been involved directly in hiring at least five new college graduates. Now, I have to admit that during these interviews where interviewees went to high school never came up. What comes up in interviews is what occurred in college—college courses that are relevant to my company’s mission, research projects, research jobs or internships, and writing samples (college graduates who can string good sentences together are worth their weight in gold).
Which brings me back to my original question: Why does MCPS believe it is preparing its graduates for the world of work? And even if it does believe this—and believes it like it was some kind commandment from God—how could it ever prove that what it did during the high school years makes a difference?
In the economy at hand, did we have a Choice? No. Did we have a choice at how we were treated? No. We complain we are disciplined. And discipline is uneven at best. A manager caught stealing or forging a minor employees signature on a form for discipline was suspended. You know the kind of forms...you do one more thing wrong and you are fired...employee was off that day so she signed it. He never knew it until weeks later. Oops. Employees see others with multiple infractions ignored while others with just one let go without warning. Complain too much when the managers 'forget' about breaks and lunches. Students should be taught: work hard, get high in organization fast, save all you make, because you are nothing to those above. Those I started with are long gone…I was one of the last few of my hiring class…top of my seniority list…no UI, union failed to file in time for grievance and he knew better, but is friends with HR. Shrug.
I have a friend who has assisted several people in filing National Labor Review Board and Unemployment Insurance Cases due to management misbehavior. Helped them understand their rights and the paperwork they needed to work out, write up. Also, he took very good notes at work which helped their cases. It isn't easy but Doing What Is Right trumps everything....
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My resume and back round suggest that I was eager to enter the work force at a very young age. I graduated from as a GED02 Graduate which means I worked a full time job while going to High School. This eagerness stemmed from a necessity to provide for myself and gain independence. I have recently been thinking that someone should propose a change in curriculum taught throughout High School. We need curriculum that will prepare the youth to enter into a chosen field of expertise at a younger age and stimulate common sense world views on Money management such as banking and investments and even entrepreneurship. Too many of my friends are unprepared for the world in front of them even after years of college they still seem "sheltered". They still have no passion for a chosen trade and lack the skills needed to apply for even the most common jobs on craigslist. Can someone please elaborate on this idea for me? At 18 yrs old, many of us will need to enter into the work force and will have no training for mediocre jobs that will allow us to further our education and pursue passions that will better our economy. I have such a strong desire to further my education and obtain credentials, however when I look into going to college I see time being wasted and think time is better spent independently studying hands on