The ‘Tyler Rationale’ and it’s Continuous Effect on the Curriculum Model Movement

     The Tyler Rationale, in other words a curriculum model movement; can be defined as designed for the teachers to have all the power and strength, but their one and only intention in that role is to facilitate students racing to a direct goal in a specific timeline.  Ralph Tyler the man behind the movement is the godfather of evaluation and assessment.  In other words he believes in the idea that a teacher’s  mission should be to push students into the goal of hitting success in a certain time.  So take that with what you will, and understand that his rationale is used in schools, classrooms, curriculums and education systems.  

     Until now was I unaware that certain curriculum moves and methods are strived because of policies such as the Tyler Rationale.  A specific example of the rationale would be in math classes all throughout my elementary and highschool career.  Due to the pressure that math class puts on test scores and grades, showcasing what you truly ‘understand’ and ‘learned’ from the material.  I personally have experienced the Tyler Rationale in a negative way due to struggling with math so badly, and not performing well on the tests.  Even though I did struggle on math examinations and assignments.  I always worked my best to understand topics and ask for help.  None of which, according to the Rationale; would have been valued or seen as strength.  Rather I would have been seen as a student who is not capable of keeping up to the demanded deadline.  

     In my growing opinion as an educator and a student I feel as though there are more limitations and drawbacks over benefits in the Tyler Rationale.  This rationale does not stand by and support why I wish to become a teacher.  My mission statement for being a teacher is to support the students who truly do need my help and support.  The students who need that extra helping hand when struggling in a certain area.  In better terms this is not a limitation in this policy it is rather a problem.  

     Benefits or in other terms the expected outcomes of the Tyler Rationale is that this curriculum movement is being used by countless school systems and classrooms all across the globe.  Meaning there are people in power within the school system that believe strongly in the Rationale movement. An example of people who believe in this curriculum movement and belief would be people who work alongside the National Center for Education Students.   On top of that the Tyler Rationale has been used to connect important movements towards a more inclusive curriculum in the school systems.  

     Whereas as a growing educator and student it may be easy to see benefits from an educational and curriculum movement and automatically assume that it’s a policy to believe in.  It just goes against what my mission statement for being a teacher is, and that is more than okay.