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Dear Bea— I've been wading through a pile of "Due before…

“Dear Bea— I've been wading through a pile of "Due before 3" mimeos—but now at last I know what to do with them: into the wastebasket! I'm also hep to the jargon. I know that "illustrative material" means magazine covers, "enriched curriculum" means teaching "who and whom," and that "All evaluation…” quote by Bel Kaufman
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““Dear Bea— I've been wading through a pile of "Due before 3" mimeos—but now at last I know what to do with them: into the wastebasket! I'm also hep to the jargon. I know that "illustrative material" means magazine covers, "enriched curriculum" means teaching "who and whom," and that "All evaluation of students should be predicated upon initial goals and grade level expectations" means if a kid shows up, pass him. Right?””

Bel Kaufman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker humorously critiques confusing educational jargon, suggesting it obscures simple teaching goals and leads to lax standards.

In simple terms: Education buzzwords hide basic teaching principles.

Key Takeaway

Focus on clear, meaningful objectives.

Themes

education communication bureaucracy

Mood

ironic critical

Type

satirical commentary

When to use this quote

  • classroom management
  • curriculum design
  • teacher training

Key Concepts

pedagogy policy language

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does jargon affect student outcomes?
  • What clear language could replace these terms?
A Different Perspective

Jargon can mask deeper systemic issues.

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