A Declaration of Conscience for Teachers

Anthony Cody over at Living in Dialogue has posted the twenty year old "Declaration of Conscience for Teachers."
The preamble reads in part:

Education in the United States is at such a crossroad. At the same time that schools have rededicated themselves to equal educational opportunity for all, laws and policies are being imposed on schools that limit the ability of diligent teachers to use their professional judgment to further the personal development and welfare of their students.

There are strong pressures today to dehumanize, to depersonalize, to industrialize our schools. In the name of cost effectiveness, of efficiency, of system, of accountability, of minimal competency, of a return to the basics, schools are being turned into sterile, hostile institutions at war with the young people they are intended to serve.

As teachers we hereby declare ourselves to be in opposition to the industrialization of our schools. We pledge ourselves to become advocates on behalf of our students.

And I would only add that I would extend this to all educators: that principals, administrators, superintendents, and yes, school committee members should hold themselves to such a pledge.