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According to the Chapter 13, the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union affected the American School systems.As mentioned, the federal government intervention was at an all time high, in order to meet national goals.

Throughout my educational career, prior to higher education, I was assigned both male and female teachers.However, after reading the text and class discussions we have focused on the ratio amongst male and female teachers.For the most part, female teachers hold more positions in the education field than males.

According to Chapter 6, after the Civil War, women were given the opportunity to explore/ seek higher education.Which resulted in the expansion of educational advantages for these women.Chapter 13, I believe gives good reasoning for the the expansion of females in the educational field compared to males, to most present days.In 1945, Presidents Truman’s proposed that all young men train for one year.He believed this would be a “panacea” with American problems.This was a good idea if we were focused solely on the  protection of our country.I feel this is an added factor to the ratio of female versus males in the educational teaching environment.Yes, their needed to be “national security” and a rise in the physical standard of the Nation’s manpower.However,I believed these males should have been educated as well.As we all know the quality of education  depends on numerous factors in any individuals lives.When I say this I mean, life chances, childhood neighborhood etc.If these males lack basic skills through education, how would military training lower illiteracy rates?Yes, we should all be concerned with the conditions of America but it was unfair to mandate  all males to military training.

The GI Bill of Rights had a major impact on college enrollment.It reminded me of my English professor’s son, he came into our English class one day, to speak with his father.After he exited the classroom, my professor explained to us he went away to the Army with HIGH intentions of receiving monetary rewards upon return.Unfortunately, he received little to nothing and was forced to attend school, a community college.Which was the least bit of his liking.In addition, we all have different goals and motivators, so how would sending all of these males to training, whether or not they agree, motivate them to want to continue school when they return?Was the implementation of this act a factor of the lessen male teacher population?Does the instilled role /perception of roles amongst males and females still exist?, and does it determine how we believe an average American classroom should look like?How does the family structure/each individuals roles in the past and present, affect the the educational learning environment for young children/students today?

As I previously mentioned,veterans would receive support for tuition, books, and living expenses.I compare these benefits to incentives.Do you think these incentives improved the quality of the males educational experience?In general many organizations and programs in America provide students with incentives, upon completion, Does it have an affect on the students od do they focus on the monetary factor of it?

As mentioned in Chapter 10, the idea of the Scholastic Aptitude Test was really important.As the text mentioned it “was suppose to predict success in college.” However, as we mentioned in the class many students may lack the tools necessary for preparation of the test.This can lead to failure.So who can determine the success of a college student?

According to a fellow classmate, who attends another CUNY institution feels, “In most recent days poverty is used as an excuse to many individuals who have resources but are lazy to seek betterment.” In my opinion, self-improvement is necessary for anyone to be successful with their education and work career.Easier said than done;poverty needs to be dealt with starting somewhat with an individual.Then as a whole, in the community the  the issue can decrease.I agreed with the Walter Heller’s report.Education begins in the household,so there has to be a strong emphasis on education for all children.Motivation is also important for students who face lower income, lack resources.Programs like work study exist, and work training exist.In my opinion,  success is there for ANYONE/EVERYONE.Poverty is no longer an excuse, in 2011, change can occur once you seek the right information.

Another topic in the text is Sesame Street.Sesame Street was a major success in reaching the children of the poor.From personal experience, I did not attend pre-school but I watched every episode of Sesame Street, everyday.Shows like Sesame Street,shaped children with social desires and undesirable behaviors.Sesame Street was beneficial in my educational career, in addition to the persistence of my father. This is presented in the text, having a strong male role model can better the  nourishment of children.I’m unaware of the quality of the show in recent days, but it used to be very educational.

The Chapter focuses on the overall contribution Mass Media plays in a individuals life. All efforts were made to help improve/grow the average individual through the mass media. As the Chapter mentioned, children are often “brainwashed “ by mass media.Do you think the idea of children wanting/getting more interferes with the performance in school?

The idea of an “idealistic” role model was also a good idea for children. Do you think television networks (including NBC) in most recent days, have followed the idea of an heroic  figure who shaped children through law and order, good morals, etc.?

The text provides numerous studies to prove the effects on the youth, during that time period. One study that stood out to me was the Payne Studies. Under the leadership of W.W Charters, director of the Bureau of Educational Research at Ohio State University, the study concluded movies had a negative impact on children. In addition to the symptoms mentioned in the book, I feel there are other factors in a child’s life that would affect their sleep habits, emotional feelings, and social attitude. For example, interactions amongst classmates can influence a child’s social interaction. According to Charlotte Hill’s article, Teach Mom to Read and the Kids Will Follow, NIH study finds “that when children are young, the “most critical factor” to their academic success is not income level, ethnicity, or even school demographics. It’s their mothers’ reading level.”Therefore, movie attendance may have been a small factor in the results of student’s grades, misbehavior, and juvenile delinquency. Also, if students attend movies when they are suppose to study for classes that would be another reason for failure.

William Hays recognized similarities between the educators and movie producers. He felt the overall message from any movie code was a depiction of educational and moral value. He was against the “wrong-doings” of movie acts because he believed individuals would be influenced by it. However, from the past till present, humans have their own minds and actions. So if a problem such as cyber bullying or any face to face issues occur, the student would find a resolution, whether good or bad, with the least bit of comparison to a villain in movies. Without the visual affect of motion pictures, evil still exist. Do you think the emphasis on positive moral values in movies should exist, does it help “shape” society? In today day and age, do you feel movie production has a huge impact on students in society, which leads to their actions in the classroom setting?

Another important idea in the text was the preparation of study guides for high school students. As the text states, half a million copies of the studies were made available as text materials in schools. In addition, exhibits relevant to the movie were available in the school, library, and museum. In my high school years, I often watched films and mini videos related to the class discussions. This is important because some students learn better from visual, physical, interactions, including text. Many of my fellow classmates took advantage of certain text having movies. However, they fail to realize, reading the text will give you the full experience.

After reading this chapter it is clear to see the circumstances Asians, Mexicans, African, Native Americans, and Puerto Ricans had to face upon arrival to America. The overall conditions they faced were horrifying. Due to the overall treatment of the ethnic groups, their schooling was affected in a negative way. The text states, “Segregated schools, housing, and discrimination in employment became the “Mexican American heritage.”

Sadly, throughout the chapter all groups were in comparison with African Americans. I feel African Americans were degraded the most, in any circumstance. For example, Frederick Law Olmsted considered the Mexicans “lower class” and initiated the perspective of them “taking black women as wives and to steal horses.” It’s a shame that one ethnic group can be dehumanize, on a continuing basis. Another example of degrading the African American individuals, along with other groups, is the issue amongst Chinese immigrants. The text explains it as the Chinese, “caught between their own racist feelings and southern racial politics.

In addition to the emotional abuse they faced, State authorities decided to make Chinese send their children to segregated black schools. The San Francisco school board insisted, “Mongolian children are prohibited into specific schools. Since discrimination existed amongst ethnic groups in the past, and segregated school existed, do you think the same system of operation exist, in this present educational system? In other words, many schools have a dominant race amongst the school body; do you think that influences a teacher, professor way of teaching? Or do they teach any type of way, with remembrance of the past?

Also, if we make many accommodations in higher education, as well as elementary schools to provide a “Safe, comforting, educational environment” for transfer students like myself in the school setting, should we do the same for individuals from other countries?Or should we make them suffer not only in society but for a great education?(Keeping in mind, we are students who have an educational background which gave us the freedom of learning what we need to know for higher grade levels.)

Lastly, my family is Guyanese and I am aware of the term “Coolie.” After hearing family jokes, or different stories with no background information, as to what the word really represented, I was enlightened how it was used in the text. A “coolie” was one of the descriptions for Asian Americans, and it modeled the minority image. For years, I was unaware Asian Americans were considered “Coolie.” The text gives some absurd reasoning as to how many others BELIEVED they  would be deprived of the American dream; due to the “Coolie” lifestyle.

After reading Chapter 5, I ask myself, “Why am I proud to be an American?” This chapter provides information on the discrimination specific ethnic groups faced upon arrival in America. Each group was given obstacles to overcome in order to “survive in America “As the chapter mentions “the common school movement was primarily designed to protect the ideology of an American Protestants culture. Most of the common school reformers,…were native-born Anglo American Protestants…”The Protestants  expected to form an equal, general public policy: this created “more cultural values and political values which revolved around the Protestantism, republicanism, and Capitalism.”Chapter 5 gives great example as to how America discriminates and how it affects the education system amongst students.

Although the Protestants wished to be the center of attention in the educational system during the 1830-1840.The immigration rates amongst the Irish and Germans made it impossible. However, these groups of individuals were useless in American society at the time. They faced discrimination in the worst way. For example the text mentions rejection of Irish Americans upon employment. In addition to psychological abuse to these individuals, Irish Americans also faced stereotypes which stood beside their names for a while. This worsened their status in society. I feel like the Protestants Anglo Saxons felt intimidated by the immigration rates and instead of embracing the growth of population and working alongside the Catholics, they preferred to degrade them. This ensured a higher status in society. In addition, common schools were a form of creating such status.

I agreed with the actions of Governor William Seward, he tried his best to create better learning conditions for Catholic students. He believed a “centrally controlled and expanded system of education was necessary for the health of society.”The rulings of the Protestants remained in charge. The effort was worth a try. I was aware of the treatment African American faced, after taking an African American English course last semester. Segregation played key role in the educational experiences amongst African Americans. I feel these students could’ve received a better education, however it was impossible. They received less funding amongst schools, lacked the resources many white schools had. Discrimination in society is an ongoing issue till this day, in the education system per say, do you think it still exist amongst schools who have predominately African American students? Since there are more resources in schools compared to the past, do you think these schools, in poverty driven neighborhoods, are receiving the resources necessary in order for promotion to higher grade levels? Lastly,As a society, do specific groups feel intimidated to express their  thoughts on specific issues occurring in society? It is very obvious nowadays riots, meetings, social networking sites are used to oppress certain actions…however is that making us stronger as a society? Most importantly, should  the understanding of freedom of speech be taught more in the classroom or should we continue to express ourselves in other ways than in the classroom settings? Compare to the past situations we read in the chapter.