Rush to Get in Line?

At my last department meeting, I met with my colleagues to discuss curriculum. This seems to be a never-ending discussion, as it seems we are perpetually redoing the curriculum. In any case, one colleague attended a Principals' Conference where one of the speakers mentioned the direction education may be heading in our state. Apparently, the idea was espoused to standardize the curriculum. How much? So much so that the curriculum would pretty much dictate what is taught and when. Moreover, in lieu of the state testing that takes place once a year, several quarterly assessments will be given to measure the progress of learning that has occured. The logic, I'm guessing, is that if teachers are going to be evaluated, they better be evenly evaluated on a level playing field...which seems to sound all good. Maybe. Or maybe not. I am concerned that such a move would constrict teachers and limit their creativity in finding novel teaching methods. If we are all doing the same thing, the same way, and at the same time, how, then, will there be any difference? If you want to identify your better teachers, then allow them the freedom and creativity to teach their students most effectively. The intent of such changes, I believe, is to try to make the teaching conditions equal. Sadly, I believe such changes may have the effect lowering the effectiveness of some teachers, especially your more creative ones. A look at history, more specifically our American Revolution, points out the stupidity of standing in a line wearing red coats while others are shooting at you. We won our independence by being creative and fighting in unconventional ways. Such has served us well historically, I might add. With New Jersey posting scores much higher than other states in the union, I'm left wondering, are we trying to change too much too quickly. And what the consequences be...