My Educational Experiences

REFERENCES

1. http://www.act.org/aap/
2. http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=93
3. http://www.worthingtonlacrosse.org/index.php?p=custom1
4. http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/NatAtRisk/risk.html
5. http://www.cityacademy.org/
6. http://4hcampohio.osu.edu/
7. http://amp.osu.edu/at/
8. http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/no-child-left-behind/
9. http://www.eku.edu/
10. http://www.magnificaths.org/

Charter School Conversion

Last week I read an article on http://www.cleveland.com/ about Mayor Jackson and his support of the conversion of some Cleveland public schools to charter schools. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/07/post_485.html  I have been thinking about this all weekend and I think I really like this idea.  After I first read the article I wasn't so sure about the idea but after thinking all weekend about it the idea has grown on me.  Although it may seem drastic, the situation is Cleveland public schools is absolutley horrible.  Why not try something drastic?  Why not try something new because the old way of doing things is not effective.  The ulimate goal in my mind is to provide the best education to everyone and if converting public schools into charter schools can accomplish that, then I say do it.  Changes would not come until after the upcoming school year, but I am curious to see how this story unfolds.     

No Child Left Behind

When I read about No Child Left Behind, I have visions of the Common School.  Talking about "creating a common culture, providing equal oppourtunity in the labor market, ensuring that all students would have equal educational oppourtunity..."(Spring 446).
I can not help but wonder have we made any progress in the field of education or are we just going in circles? 
It makes me very uneasy when we talk about treating everyone the same, when every student is not the same.  Or when we talk about "promoting a national culture" (Spring 455).  To me I flashback to the Anglo Americans and how it had to be done their way and their culture was the one being promoted.  I had a hard time reading this chapter because I can see change, but for as much time that has passed I would have thought our educational system would be much better than what it is today. 

Spring, Joel H. (2011) The American School : a global context from the puritans to the Obama era. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.

6/29 Class

I was a little skeptical about doing the skits/presentations again in class to discuss the articles we read.  I enjoyed the first class so much and felt like it was such a special experience and to do it again almost seemed liked trying to recreate the "lightning in a bottle".  I was wrong, yesterdays class was just as good, if not better than the first.  Although the skits and presentations are wonderful, I really enjoy hearing about every one's prop and why they made the connection from their story to their own life.  I think Chrissy did a phenomenal job explaining the Ebonics scenario with her high heels.  Great job everyone!

Common School

I just finished reading Chapter 5 for today's class and I just am so angry about the way people were treated back in the 1800's.  When establishing a common school, the name to me suggests an education for everyone.  No matter your race or religious beliefs.  I am sure we have all experienced discrimination in one way or another, and some more than others.  But I would have a very difficult time understanding why I was being denied an equal chance at an education because I am Irish/German and because I am a female.  Just reflecting and thinking how I would react if I was put in that position makes me furious.  I would have probably started my own school, just like the Catholics did.  I would not want to go to school with people who thought I was a heathen.   
I then think how can someone treat another human being that bad?  Then I fast forward and I think about today and how there are still inequalities among people today, and not just related to education.
I think about yesterdays chapter, discussion in class, and the word education.  I am not sure what the word education means to me, I am still processing my thought but what does that word education mean to you?   

Chapter 4-The Ideology and Politics of the Common School

I just got done reading Chapter 4 for today's class and I really enjoyed reading about the common school.  I do not know much about the history of our educational system so this chapter was really interesting for me.  I connected with the ideas and thoughts behind the common school, but I do not agree with the idea of it being a "panacea for society's problems" (Spring, 80).  I liked how they wanted to create a common culture, reduce the social conflict, lift public morality, and end crime and poverty.  Those are all very noble and lofty goals, and I think education can help but it will not alleviate all of those issues. 
I also found the word common to be interesting.  As I kept reading I read that the word common refers to the "common moral education based on the general principles of the Bible and on common virtues..."(Spring, 85).  
The last idea that caught my attention was the one about if you really want to provide a common education where all children are receiving the same instruction across the board send them all to a boarding school.  There the children would sleep in the same bunks, eat the same food, wear the same uniform, and so on.  I thoguht this was interesting because in my morning class we were talking about knowing the child and where they come from.  The child's environment can change drastically as soon as they leave your classroom, and you may not always know what is happening at the child's home, or if the child even has a home.  Do we as teachers treat children differently based on the clothes they wear or what street they live on?  Or if the child is acting out do we just assume they are a bad kid or are they acting bad for another reason? 

 

Bibliography: 

Spring, Joel H. (2011) The American School : a global context from the puritans to the Obama era. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill

Comments

Ok so I have never done this blogging thing and I am currently having difficulty commenting on every one's blog.  So after 2 hours I have decided to post my comments on my blog and hopefully tomorrow I will learn how to comment. 
So first I wanted to comment on Francis's blog and answer his question about the crazy teacher.  For me it was Mr. Cox.  He was a young teacher in his first job.  He taught social studies and my senior year I had him for US Government.  One beautiful spring day Mr. Cox tells us we are leaving the building and we are going up to Graeters ice cream for class.  This field trip was not planned and so we had to sneak out of the building and then also manage to sneak back in.  I remember thinking, we are going to get caught.  I can never do anything like this and get away with it.  We did of course get away with it, and I am still not sure why Mr. Cox did this for us.  It was a small gesture, but I still think it was the coolest/craziest thing any teacher ever did. 
The second posting I wanted to comment on was Rashad's post about home schooling.  It it definitely a hot button issue and I don't think we will all agree.  My belief is every person, family, and situation is different.  The parent's must do what they think is in the best interest of the child and I don't think anyone should be judged for doing what they think is best.  You can debate the pros and cons of home schooling but at the end of the day it just might be a better fit for someone. 
The last posting I wanted to comment on was Toya's post about private vs. public school.  Once again, I think a lot like home schooling everyone is going to have an opinion.  I was in public school my whole life and had a wonderful experience.  I understand why some families/children choose a private education but I think no matter what you choose, you will get what you put in.
Sorry for my lack of knowledge about blogging, hopefully I will get it soon!!!