Blog 5: Political Cartoon

What educational policy issue is this political cartoon about? 

Race to the Top

What is the purpose of the cartoon (why did the artist create it?)

I think that purpose of this cartoon is to show that students are catching on that their progress and success determines their teachers’ salaries.

What techniques did the artist use to draw your attention (refer to the cartoon analysis guide from our classroom activity)?

The artist used stereotypes and caricature by giving the teacher glasses and making her female. There is also attention drawn to the teacher and the student talking because both are have a bold article of clothing (both shirts are heavily covered in). Another feature in this cartoon is an argument not a slogan. The student’s response to his grade is not just an typical comment that students make when they get a bad grade. Instead, the young boy’s response is directed toward the teacher directly.  

What is the opinion of the artist?

The opinion of the artist seems to be that students are going to be more “controlling” in the classroom. If students do not get a good grade on an assignment (like in the cartoon) then they will blame the teacher and play the “pay cut” card when talking about their grades. I think the artist feels like the students are just going to give up and try to manipulate the teachers.

According to the artist, who benefits and who is negatively impacted by this policy?

According to this particular cartoon, students would be benefiting an the teachers will have the negative impact.

What opinions do others have on this issue?

I feel like others could also see how the students can upper-hand teachers, but I also could see how others would focus on the teacher and how he/she is lacking instruction for students.

Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not? 

Yes, I would find this cartoon to be persuasive, especially with the text at the bottom that reads, “The students quickly caught on to the new merit pay system.” I think the text in the cartoon goes to show how students could easily take advantage of the teachers.

What do you think is omitted or missing from the cartoon?

I do not think anything is missing from the cartoon. I think the artist got his/her point across very well. However, I would have like the teacher to have send something back because I thought that the pay was from standardized test scores, not homework assignments that are passed back.

What questions do you have about the issue that the cartoon does not answer?

I kind of already mentioned this, but why is student talking to the teacher about a pay cut over what appears to look like a homework assignment, when the merit pay if more based on the standardized test scores.

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: June 2012. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2013, from http://oldschoolteach.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html#.UV80RRjR2Ap

The Uncertain Impact of Merit Pay for Teachers - NYTimes.com. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2013, from http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/the-uncertain-impact-of-merit-pay-for-teachers/

U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). The Cartoon Analysis Checklist (p. 1).