-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Meta
Categories
Links
Author Archives: paul.santos
Posts: 8 (archived below)
Comments: 0
Chapter 3-4
Chapters 3 and 4 deal a lot with standardize testing.With standardize testing, schools the government wants to improve education by making sure that students meet a certain requirement. Schools and teachers have been adjusting their ways in order for students to pass these tests, but I feel that takes away from a real education. Instead of teaching so children can learn, teachers are teaching so that the school, themselves, and the kids look good. We need a better system to replace the system of standardize testing we have now. What is the government and board of education doing to improve this, if they’re doing anything at all?
The ideas in chapter 4 about education being placed in the hands of citizens, rather than rely on members of a board, is a somewhat good idea. Its a good idea because parents and other ordinary people should have a say in something that affects not only their kids, but others as well. Implementing this would be progress made in fixing the schooling system and making it better in my opinion. With that being said, how do you think we could put this idea into the education system? and what do you think of its succession percentage?
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Chapter 3-4
Tatum
Upon reading the first part of Tatum, we come across many interesting points. First off, there is a definition of racism that racism is also included in social as well as governmental areas. Being racist is not a hereditary thing, so we are not born with it. Racism is the direct result of the environment and people we grow up around. In this sense, it is instilled in us over a period of time and changes the way we perceive others. We should not judge others because of their skin color. Tatum goes on to state that the way we could overcome this is by implementing this idea at home, so that from the get go, awareness is raised. This will make things easier when the children ages into a more mature being, and the idea is implemented again.
Another really interesting point is that within racism, there is a tendency for person to be more targeted based on their shade of skin. Tatum pointed out that lighter skinned black people were less targeted for racism, than darker skinned black people. This is still going on today, and it makes you think how crazy the world is still. With all this being said, is there truly a way to end racism today? And if there is, how do we begin to come about it?
Posted in Uncategorized
1 Comment
Chapter 14
Chapter 14 was mainly about the civil rights movement headed by a very important historical figure, Martin Luther King Jr. This movement was for the rights of blacks to be treated equally and to end the segregation in this country. The movement was also important in to the educational system because it also pushed for equal learning resources for all. With the integration, of course, came a lot of backlash from the whites who were opposed to this. Integration lead to a sort of hands on experience in learning. Today there seems to still be segregation created by neighborhood zoning. Do you agree that this segregation still exists? And what do you think could be done to mix things up? Is this good for the students.
Also in this chapter, there was a point brought up about having the same facilities doesn’t guarantee equal treatment to students who do not understand English. There should be language aide to help those non-English speaking students to help them in school. There is method of putting a child into a English speaking environment and leaving it up to the student to keep up or fail. What are you’re thoughts on this method, and would you agree this is the best way for students to learn English?
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Chapter 14
Chapter 13
Chapter 13 deals with issues about war and poverty that reflected the education of children. The specific war mentioned in the chapter was the Cold War. The Cold War fueled the United States to increase the concentration on science and math because of the desire to win the Space Race. The governments main focus during this time was similar to previous beliefs that education is the key to eliminate poverty. Education was the way to improve the social status of the poor. While I agree with this idea, the way the government went about achieving it did not really help. The quality of education being given to the poor was dismal in comparison of that given to the rich. The government, however, did pass and enact the Opportunity Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Later it would lead to more programs to help better the quality of education, such as the No Child Left Behind program. The important thing to keep in mind here is that even though the opportunities increased, students’ progress is affected by there environment and ability to learn. Not every child is the same in learning ability and test-taking ability.
The chapter also touched upon the SAT’s being created to give everyone an equal opportunity to gain a college education. The SAT is not good a test because some people are just bad test takers. It doesn’t measure how smart a person really is. A person could be a straight A student, but when it comes to the SAT, he/she will do poorly. I just believe it should not be used as an entrance test.
So the questions I would like to ask are: If one doesn’t pass the SAT, what happens to the student and their supposed equal opportunity to education? If they get left behind and not accepted into college, what does the No Child Left Behind program say about it? And can it do anything to help?
Posted in Uncategorized
1 Comment
Chapter 11
Chapter 11 was mainly concentrated on teachers unions. Back then, teachers were mainly female, and therefore not given the respect they deserved. This was because women had very little rights. However, the establishment of teacher unions were very important. Because of teacher unions, better working conditions, pay, and benefits. Unions in general helped protect the middle class from powerful businesses and in helping show a strong representation in government. Over the years, teachers unions have grown and have strengthened. Today, teachers are not treated with the respect and pay they deserve. If education is the most important and is always stressed in society, shouldn’t the people in charge of teaching the material be respected and payed a little more?
Also in chapter 11, there was the concept of and ideal American life. For me anyway, the ideal American life is a marriage, with two or three kids in a suburban area, and a decent paying job so you can live comfortably. Now a days though, I don’t know if everyone still idealizes the American “picket fence and house” dream. With women gaining more rights and getting better jobs, and with the younger generation becoming more wild, what exactly is the ideal American dream today?
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Chapter 11
Chapter 8
The two things in Chapter 8 that caught my attention was the how the educational system introduced movements, like the kindergarten movement to improve urban living quality and poverty, and the topic of home economics as a course.
One of the main purposes of the kindergarten movement was to mold the children so they can bring the values that they learn in school back home and share them with their parents. After reading this, I disagreed with the program because just because a person was of bad economic status does not mean they have no morals or virtues. Just because one is poor does not make them a bad person, and this is insulting to those who are just trying to make it out of the slums. If you were in this position, would you find it offensive and insulting for a program like this to exist?
Home economics as a course was interesting to me because in today’s society, women as just “housewives” is a little controversial. As a male, I do not take for granted how hard mainting a house is. My mom amazes me everyday when she is able to work til 9 in the city, and still come home to do house chores that are not finished. That is why whenever I can, I help out around the house. Back then, this class was relevant because the roles of women were perceived to be just housewives. In today’s society women are much more than that. So one question I pose is: Do you think that home economics is still relevant in today’s society?
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Chapter 8
Chp. 6
Chapter 6 deals a lot with the male versus female teachers in the common school system. Women were only allowed to learn because men saw that they could benefit educated women. Soon after, schools looked to hire females as teachers, and this, according to Norton became one of the first job opportunities that opened up to women on a regular basis. I disagree with the Boston board of 1841 when they gave three reasons why women are better teachers. The idea that women are naturally better with children, women are less distracted by the world, and they are the purest. I disagree because back then it was only social standards and stereotypes that forced women and men to act their part.
As I was reading this chapter, it made me question and even weigh the pros and cons male versus female teachers. Does gender really matter when it comes to teaching? What constitutes a good teacher? Statistically, who are the better teachers: men or women? We all have had our experiences with “good” teachers and “bad” teachers, but I think Horace Mann said it best when talking about teachers. Teachers need to have perfect knowledge of the subjects they are teaching, and they need to have an enthusiasm for that subject. They also need a style that doesn’t cross any students moralsand students are allowed to learn without fearing consequences. If students only study because if they get a bad grade they will be punished harshly, then they are not really learning. The environment is very important to ensure that students get the most out of a learning experience.
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Chp. 6
Chapter 5
Chapter 5 deals with the evolution of the schooling system over the years. The common school, back then, was something postivie to society. It promoted the values of capitalism, Protestantism, and republicanism. However, the common school still had its share of discrimination in the schooling system, despite its attempts to be free for each race individually. Religion was the main base of the curriculum, and it was dominated by one culture. This was unfair to the Native Americans and other races who were forced to learn a religion they did not follow or practice. Because of this private schools were set up, mainly by Catholics, to preserve their culture.
The government also came into play when some of the money was used to support this type of religious education movement. Personally, I believe that teaching religion in schools should not be a necessity. If one would like to learn about a religion, it should be done outside of school, or in a private school where it is included. If back then we were dealing with the problem of school and religion, it makes me wonder how much better of a job we’re doing with it today. How are the public schools handling and promoting tolerance to its multicultural student base?
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Chapter 5