But once you start tacking on projects requiring trips to hobby shops, computer software, and things that obviously require parental involvement, rich and abled kids get a huge advantage.
You can't be in favor of project-based learning and equity at the same time. The two are mutually exclusive.
A kid with dexterity impairments can do the reading, do the assignment in Open Office, and get the same grade as an able-bodied kid who did the reading.
Conversely, the kids who don't have the money or physical ability for the extra glitz and glam will find their grades artificially deflated. They'll do the best they can and find themselves being penalized and graded more harshly for a perceived "lack of effort."
The kids whose projects have all the glitz and glam will have better grades on their projects. Even if the content is questionable, they'll still get an extra boost from the perception that they put extra effort into the project.
If a kid's living in a car or housing insecure, he can't do a project that requires a tri-fold board.
If he's poor and #disabled, he's extra screwed. If a mom is working two jobs, she can't help her kid with cerebral palsy or other dexterity impairment glue things to posters.
The cruel part is that these creative projects are an extreme portion of a kid's grade. Often, about a third of a kid's quarterly grade. If they bomb a project, they might as well not return to class that quarter.
Families who are food insecure have to deal with wannabe art teachers who want to cram posters, dioramas, and multimedia nonsense into every little thing
So in addition to struggling with food, they have to blow money on art supplies because the #teacher is feeling "creative."
With rote learning, you only need a pencil, paper and a book. A parent doesn't need to drop money at Hobby Lobby every 2 weeks. If a kid has a dexterity impairment, there are ways to get around it.
But with projects, you're screwed if you're poor and/or #disabled.
One reason Rollingredneck opposes project-based learning in schools is that it's the exact opposite of equity. It gives advantaged kids even more advantages over disadvantaged kids
One of the biggest ways the left can get votes is to start clamping down on teachers who violate the IEPs of #disabled students.
I've had parents tell me, "I'm not trusting the government with #universalhealthcare when the teacher won't follow the IEP" while campaigning for Dems since 2015
"I don't get it! Little Rollingredneck excels at the tests where all he has to do is fill in bubbles, but he sucks at handwriting and posters! Is this laziness!?"
And then in 4th grade, a paraprofessional said, "Okay let's let him type his work and find alternatives to dioramas"
One of the weirdest things about being disabled as a kid was how the adults around me, even my parents, took literal years to figure out that #disabled meant #disabled and no amount of calling me lazy or telling me to approach things with a positive attitude would improve my grades
However, it is essential for individuals who advocate for causes such as #universalhealthcare, #Medicaid, or #disabilityrights to make a concerted effort to maintain their health and lose weight if possible. We are judged by our weight the minute we start making health policy demands
Before the We Roll With It #weightloss episode is posted, RollingRedneck and Sphincter Envy want to make it very clear. Bullying someone for their weight is unacceptable. Food addiction is real and bullying is not helping. Often, it does literally the opposite.
