Author Archives: Shantell Aughburns

Higher Education is something that is very important in our society. With more people graduating high school a higher demand has been placed on higher education. Even though there has been a higher demand on education, it is very difficult for people to continue to pursue higher education because of the increasing costs. I do believe that government should do all that they can to help people financially in pursuing a higher education

Even though it is a choice, its very hard to get by in society without a degree. It’s not impossible but it does make it more difficult. I thought it was interesting that the number of people attending private colleges is starting to decrease and that more people are attending public or community colleges. I had some friends that I graduated high school with that had to transfer from their private schools to a community or cuny school. Today’s society doesn’t make higher education seem like a choice. They don;t have many options for people that don’t pursue a higher education.

Since it is essential, I think the government should do all that they can to help with funding for higher educations. I believe that the government tries to make this county seem like it holds a very high status when it comes to education or the economy. But their funding towards education is starting to decrease even though they want people to pursue it.I believe that there is a negative correlation when it comes to budget cuts, teacher layoffs, tuition increases and graduation rates. The government stresses how important higher education is, so they need to what they can to help funding of those that are trying to pursue it.

This is an article that examines the link between government funding and graduation rates.

“Does Public Funding For Higher Education Matter?” by Liang Zhang

http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1110&context=workingpapers&sei-redir=1#search=%22why+should+the+government+fund+higher+education%22

Parental Involvement definitely is a necessity to help students with their education. Studies have shown that family members are starting to “catch on” to the importance of establishing a personal role in their child’s education.  Many times education especially reading is left upon the teachers and programs at the schools either because of business with work or other functions. And because of that parents are not as involved with activities in the school or with the teachers.

According to one study within the article, families defined parental involvement as who works with the teacher and continues learning activities at home. The goal is to have parents partner with the schools and the teachers to help with the child’s education. Everything should not just be left up to the teachers just because that is what they are certified to do. I thought it was very interesting that no matter the background of the child, at 9 months they all demonstrate the same academic potential. However, White children are FAR MORE prepared for school that children of other cultural or ethnic populations. I thought it was also interesting that studies do prove that children living in a two-parent home have done better in school than children living in a single parent home. But its not so much that that there are two parents there that makes the difference but it’s having someone that will take the time and the effort to help and be with the child.

Some other factors that may interfere with the parents being involved with their children’s education are socioeconomic status, self-efficacy and language. Even though there may be certain barriers and obstacles that keep different family members from being involved in theirchildren’s education, it’s going to take much time and effort and sacrifice on anyone to make it their personal role regardless of background or barriers. In order for school and parent partnerships to work, both sides have to address the complex and difficult issues such as bias, the needs of the child (not just academic), and effective or ineffective strategies.

Some other sources that address the issues of parental involvement are:

The Effects of Parental Involvement on Minority Children’s Academic Achievement

http://www.sagepub.com/vaughnstudy/articles/dair/Jeynes.pdf

When Everyone Is Involved: Parent’s and Communites In School Reform

http://inpathways.net/6parents.pdf

The Relationship Between  Parental Involvement and Student Motivation

http://www.springerlink.com/content/u2785263m72r2152/

I think that teachers have not gotten the respect that they deserve. There is definitely a need for teacher’s union. I think that people feel that teachers should just deal with what’s been given to them and they should just be happy about it. What teachers receive for their hard work does not even match up to the struggles that they face in my opinion. I also don’t think that people that are in power do not take teacher’s unions serious enough. Teachers need to be protected in some way against the effects of the society. They are already under-payed and most teachers have to always be aware of state budget cuts. Is there a way for teacher’s unions to be more successful in receiving higher wages and better treatment? Is there a way for a teachers that are not tenured to have more stability?

Also, I do agree to a certain extent that teachers need to be held accountable for their actions. Being a teacher also entails having a lot of influence on a child’s life. It also comes with responsibilities. I understand why teacher’s lives are scrutinized but I don’t think it should be taken to the extreme that it had been. Teachers have their own lives to live as well. As long as they live their lives at their own discretion and not try to force anything on the students, I don’t see how their private lives can effect their capability to teach.

I also don’t agree that the curriculum should be based upon the standardized testing. I believe that that is what other programs are for. I think the school system has taken competition to another level. I think that those that are in charge are trying to compete with other countries when they are not doing the same things as those in other countries. Having the curriculum surrounded around all of the standardized tests would imply that that is the only importance for education. It would be better to help the children with reading, math and science throughout school, not just around testing time. I guess my question is, can’t there be better programs to help students with testing so that they can be better prepared for taking these different standardized tests. And shouldn’t the curriculum already emphasize the importance and benefits of reading, math, and science and not just for high tests scores?