Growing inequities - so what?

Today was spent in Tauranga, participating in the NZARE (NZ Association for Research in Education) conference (well listening anyway).

Professor Robert Tierney was the opening keynote speaker "Growing inequities: how do we contribute" was the title of his address.

I really enjoyed his presentation - and I heard him talk of:

* social reproduction of class - are we complicit in this; whose interests are being served?

* literacy - a tool that has the power to exclude or include;

*complexity of learning, we all develop at different ways (standardised learning and reductive literacy practices take no account of this).

Professor Tierney referenced Alfie Kohn and wicked problems. He identified education views to be challenged including that "it is just a matter of affording choices or lifting ourselves by our own boot straps".  He warned us "to be wary of the management mentality that regulates and excuses the state from responsibility and reminded us that "equity should be at the centre of what we do as educators."

I was hooked, values I thought, felt and believed; all valid important things that need to be said - shouted - over and over 'til people (the state?) get the message, or so I said to a colleague - and she said:

"So what?"

What do you mean "so what"?

"So did he tell you anything new?"

Well no.

"Did he give tough messages about what 'the state' needs to do, address, change? What we can do ? Did he pull his punches or did he follow the arguments through?

Well yes and no, I think he did pull his punches, he appeared 'careful'.

Did he have ideas about how to start change. Did he identify how he and we can contribute to being part of that change?

Well no.

"Well so what ?"