Five things I learned:
When Newsweek creates a list of the best high schools in America, all it looks at is the percentage of students taking the rapidly growing AP programs.
Only 10% of students play varsity sports.
The Department of Defense runs it's own school system.
In one school:
5th graders spent more than 90 percent of their time in their seats listening to the teacher or working alone and only about 7 percent or their time working in groups. Findings were similar in 1st and 3rd grade.
In 5th grade, more than 60 percent of students' time was spent on improving basic literacy or math skills, while less than 25 percent of their time was devoted to science and social studies.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Letter to the editor
As future teachers, cyberbullying is an epidemic that is taking control of our schools. Cyberbylling has caused many to take their lives in extreme cases, and causing many other problems that affect students in the classroom as well as the teacher, and the school itself. Something has to be done, in order to protect those affected. What should be done? Parents should teach their kids what is appropriate behavior when it comes to the internet. The parents should also monitor what their child is doing on the internet. The internet can be a great tool when used correctly, but when it is misused it becomes a hazard.
The topic of cyberbullying has caused numerous problems among today’s teens and young adults. Suicides, depression, and isolation are few of the many problems that are associated with cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is an unnecessary form of harassment that takes place via the web, cell phones, I pads/ pods. People aren’t afraid to say what they want, and aren’t aware of the consequences that can follow. This is where intervention needs to start. Young adults should be educated about cyberbullying, and the effects it has on people involved. This education should start as early as possible. The more we teach our children the more lives we can save by early intervention. Some states like New Jersey, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, are taking steps in the right direction to fix this problem. They are viewed as models because they include provisions allowing school officials to address off-campus actions that disrupt school operations.
Although some states are taking steps in the right direction to stop, or prevent cyberbullying, this is not enough in some cases. Educating the children in our school systems has to be our number one priority. Hopefully in time other states will pass laws just like the ones that already have, to prevent this from happening to any other young adults.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Teacher Prep
Three ideas for teacher prep: student teaching in another country would be a great idea and if that is not something someone can afford, then, maybe student teaching in another state.
I also think that more classes should focus on education rather than gen eds. I understand that it's a requirement; however, perhaps it can be an option and there could be other classes one can also take.
I also feel that maybe there can be a class on how to deal with certain types of scenarios that teachers may have to deal with - perhaps an ethics/law course for students to take.
I also think that more classes should focus on education rather than gen eds. I understand that it's a requirement; however, perhaps it can be an option and there could be other classes one can also take.
I also feel that maybe there can be a class on how to deal with certain types of scenarios that teachers may have to deal with - perhaps an ethics/law course for students to take.
IDI Reflection
I wasn't too thrilled with the results of the IDI test; however, it could be that my results were a mistake.
I feel that I am a bit more culturally competent than the results showed. I have lived in another country and I have been raised by parents who are from another country. I have also had friends from many different cultures and religions and I have always been interested in knowing more about who they are and where they come from. This is why the results of the IDI surprised me because I feel that my competence should have been higher than the score that I got due to my life experience. I do feel that I could become more culturally competent; however, I feel that due to my life experience it has given me the mind to be open minded and be interested in other cultures, because I am also from another culture and I like having that in common with someone else.
I do hope that my IDI score was a mistake and I am more competent than the test revealed.
I feel that I am a bit more culturally competent than the results showed. I have lived in another country and I have been raised by parents who are from another country. I have also had friends from many different cultures and religions and I have always been interested in knowing more about who they are and where they come from. This is why the results of the IDI surprised me because I feel that my competence should have been higher than the score that I got due to my life experience. I do feel that I could become more culturally competent; however, I feel that due to my life experience it has given me the mind to be open minded and be interested in other cultures, because I am also from another culture and I like having that in common with someone else.
I do hope that my IDI score was a mistake and I am more competent than the test revealed.
Finland Phenomenon
The Finland Phenomenon was a very interesting film to watch.
The educational system in Finald is remarkable and I wish that the United States could follow in it's foot steps.
The three biggest differences between the US and Finald was that each teacher must obtain a master's degree - 3 years of school for a bachelor's degree and 2 years of school for a master's.
Another difference was students addressed their teachers by their first name. This created a more relaxed enviroment for the students and probably created a better student/teacher relationship as well. When one has a better student/teacher relationship there is trust and respect. Both trust and respect are very important for a teacher to have from a student and also for a student to receive from a teacher.
There is not much homework for students and there are no tests given in Finland. In America, students are given homework (the older one gets, the more homework one receives) and there are standardized tests as well. If America was to focus less on tests and more on learning like Finland does; we may see America's rank for education increase.
I think it's important to look at what countries like Finland and other countries on top of the education list are doing right that we are doing wrong or maybe not doing at all and learn from them.
The educational system in Finald is remarkable and I wish that the United States could follow in it's foot steps.
The three biggest differences between the US and Finald was that each teacher must obtain a master's degree - 3 years of school for a bachelor's degree and 2 years of school for a master's.
Another difference was students addressed their teachers by their first name. This created a more relaxed enviroment for the students and probably created a better student/teacher relationship as well. When one has a better student/teacher relationship there is trust and respect. Both trust and respect are very important for a teacher to have from a student and also for a student to receive from a teacher.
There is not much homework for students and there are no tests given in Finland. In America, students are given homework (the older one gets, the more homework one receives) and there are standardized tests as well. If America was to focus less on tests and more on learning like Finland does; we may see America's rank for education increase.
I think it's important to look at what countries like Finland and other countries on top of the education list are doing right that we are doing wrong or maybe not doing at all and learn from them.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Waiting for Superman
Waiting for Superman was a good film to watch. The film speaks of the failures of public education by following several students through the educational system. These students have also applied at near by charter schools; hoping to be selected in the lottery of the charter school in which they applied for.
The narrator, in the beginning of the documentary talks about how he fears sending his kids to a failing public school and he says he's lucky; he can send his kids to a private school. He says he is lucky to have that choice and not everybody has a choice.
It's hard not to feel for the children as you follow them throughout the movie. They want to succeed and these children have big hopes and dreams. They want to be a doctor, a teacher, etc; however, the schools which they are going to are not rated as very good and the kids know this and want to get a better education if possible - which is why they applied to the charter school and unfortunately not all of the children won the lottery for the charter school which they applied to.
A few things that struck me during the film..
NCLB: The No Child Left Behind Act - it measures every child in the country and there are still 4 years left to be 100% proficient - as a country, we are not even close.
5th - 7th grade minority children are going from B - D students (not sure where or what percentage), the statistic shocked me, though.
The cost of Prison vs Private Schools. It costs more for someone to live in prison than it does for someone to go to a private school.
Michelle Rhee.. She is the chancellor for the Washington D.C. public schools. She has some wonderful ideas and many individuals don't see eye to eye with her and because of this not much can be changed unless people are supporting her ideas and want to change as well.
The film showed what flaws there are in the United States educational system and that much needs to be changed. One can only hope that in time we can change the way the educational system is for the better.
The narrator, in the beginning of the documentary talks about how he fears sending his kids to a failing public school and he says he's lucky; he can send his kids to a private school. He says he is lucky to have that choice and not everybody has a choice.
It's hard not to feel for the children as you follow them throughout the movie. They want to succeed and these children have big hopes and dreams. They want to be a doctor, a teacher, etc; however, the schools which they are going to are not rated as very good and the kids know this and want to get a better education if possible - which is why they applied to the charter school and unfortunately not all of the children won the lottery for the charter school which they applied to.
A few things that struck me during the film..
NCLB: The No Child Left Behind Act - it measures every child in the country and there are still 4 years left to be 100% proficient - as a country, we are not even close.
5th - 7th grade minority children are going from B - D students (not sure where or what percentage), the statistic shocked me, though.
The cost of Prison vs Private Schools. It costs more for someone to live in prison than it does for someone to go to a private school.
Michelle Rhee.. She is the chancellor for the Washington D.C. public schools. She has some wonderful ideas and many individuals don't see eye to eye with her and because of this not much can be changed unless people are supporting her ideas and want to change as well.
The film showed what flaws there are in the United States educational system and that much needs to be changed. One can only hope that in time we can change the way the educational system is for the better.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
After 3 Months, Mayor Replaces Schools Leader
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/education/08black.html?_r=1
This article is about Cathleen Black who was a city school chancellor in New York for a little more than 3 months. Individuals were stunned when she was chosen as the chancellor and she was asked to step down on April 7th, 2011.
She will be replaced by Dennis M. Walcottt, who, unlike Cathleen Black, has educational experience.
From the article, Cathleen's dismissal came about due to Ms. Black's lack of experience and also her behavior. She did not know much information when asked questions during interviews, she also would joke inappropriately or be mocking of others. It was most likely best for her to be dismissed and for someone better fit for the job to take over.
I feel that there are individuals who are in positions such as Ms. Black's who have little to no educational experience and feel they are entitled to a job such as that; however, they do not have the experience or knowledge that is needed. There should be a requirement for someone to be a chancellor. One should have knowledge and at least have had experience in the education system at one time or another in order to have the position of a chancellor because then one can truly understand what the job is about because the individual as truly 'been there'.
This article is about Cathleen Black who was a city school chancellor in New York for a little more than 3 months. Individuals were stunned when she was chosen as the chancellor and she was asked to step down on April 7th, 2011.
She will be replaced by Dennis M. Walcottt, who, unlike Cathleen Black, has educational experience.
From the article, Cathleen's dismissal came about due to Ms. Black's lack of experience and also her behavior. She did not know much information when asked questions during interviews, she also would joke inappropriately or be mocking of others. It was most likely best for her to be dismissed and for someone better fit for the job to take over.
I feel that there are individuals who are in positions such as Ms. Black's who have little to no educational experience and feel they are entitled to a job such as that; however, they do not have the experience or knowledge that is needed. There should be a requirement for someone to be a chancellor. One should have knowledge and at least have had experience in the education system at one time or another in order to have the position of a chancellor because then one can truly understand what the job is about because the individual as truly 'been there'.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)