In order to clearly identify and explain the use of metaphors in educational jargon, I decided to explore the mission/vision statements of several North Carolina school districts. The results I found were very uniform, not too imaginative, but clearly define the use of metaphor in education.
It was not difficult to find results which described schools and school districts as "families," "learning communities," "network centers," and "21st century learning facilities." Prior to this blog assignment, I'd never really paid much attention to the metaphor aspect. I simply related mission/vision statements as educational jargon posted on every exit door in public education facilities.
In the Alamance Burlington School district the message reads:
Engaging Students, Building Relationships, Achieving Results. Analysis of this leaves one to imagine how the students are engaged, assume the relationships are positive, and conclude the results are desirable. In other words, please do not take a pessimistic stance on the view. Everything in this district is lovely!
Beaufort County Schools are proud in their
ability to provide a safe harbor where all children are successful. Safe harbor; is that the local bar and grill or the net that catches all those children who dare not be "left behind?" This metaphor leaves a lot to be desired. Again, show optimism towards the jargon!
Cabarrus County provides one of the more traditional metaphorical views. One of the goals in the district is to
ensure success for all students in safe, inviting, and healthy learning communities by building upon a foundation of stakeholder support and caring/respectful relationships. I'm sure parents of public school children are thrilled and reassured of the learning process when they realize their child(ren) attend learning communities.
In Durham, NC the community
cherishes its children, and the Durham Public Schools are the daily expression of that care. Again, very reassuring to parents who may have concerns about the learning environment of public education.
And last, but definitely not least, Orange High School, in Orange County, NC, advertises on it's website their ability to
foster a diverse community of independent learners, constructive thinkers, and responsible citizens. These are all very impressive traits. I'm sure many NC families have moved to Orange County, NC just to enroll their student in a system where lifelong learners and facilitators of 21st century education work collaboratively to build tomorrow's leaders.
As I stated in my intro, I had never really analyzed the metaphors in educational jargon. By doing so, I've learned to look past the words and search identify the true meaning of the mission. It is my opinion that no matter what the mission or vision statement may state, the real goal of any educational organization is to enhance individual knowledge from within!
