http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2011/04/03/endo.dc.school.testing.scandal.cnn?hpt=T2
After watching this video we are left with the question, is standardized testing leading DC schools to some really unethical behaviors? I believe that it's possible for the staff at those schools to fix grades to pass their measurement of adequate yearly progress. I get that the schools are afraid of failing on their assessments, but to go about it this way is very unfortunate. I believe that all the staff at this school needs to be dismissed, because this is unacceptable behavior. Instead of worrying about making sure the students have the tools they needed to pass the tests, they took it upon themselves to fix test scores.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Childhood Obeisiety
The state of our nation's physical education programs has been in a steady down slide. I Totally understand how on in three students are failing their physical fitness tests. America is the most morbidly obese nation in the world and those numbers are growing. As much as schools are focusing on higher test scores they should be also focusing on having adequate PE classes to make sure that the students are being thought proper weight management.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Economic Integration
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/14/AR2010101407577.html
Reading this article made me think of the idea of dumping an underprivileged child into an affluent neighborhood's school. I feel that if a student is moved from a school that is performing poorly and move them into a school that has excellent resources and is performing well, of course they will do better. I could see where people would believe that this is an excellent idea for getting poorer students a quality. I find the logistics of such an idea to be impossible. If this was the panacea for poor students what would happen to the schools in their own neighborhoods. So what would we do as a society? Would we send all of our poor students to schools in rich neighborhoods, then shut down all the schools in their own neighborhoods. There will be an uproar all around, these students will be looked at as leeches and I feel they will be treated very badly. Just like the racial tensions in the fifties and sixties when black students were bused to white schools, there will be high tempers and extreme tensions, and I be4lieve that it will be a disaster.
Reading this article made me think of the idea of dumping an underprivileged child into an affluent neighborhood's school. I feel that if a student is moved from a school that is performing poorly and move them into a school that has excellent resources and is performing well, of course they will do better. I could see where people would believe that this is an excellent idea for getting poorer students a quality. I find the logistics of such an idea to be impossible. If this was the panacea for poor students what would happen to the schools in their own neighborhoods. So what would we do as a society? Would we send all of our poor students to schools in rich neighborhoods, then shut down all the schools in their own neighborhoods. There will be an uproar all around, these students will be looked at as leeches and I feel they will be treated very badly. Just like the racial tensions in the fifties and sixties when black students were bused to white schools, there will be high tempers and extreme tensions, and I be4lieve that it will be a disaster.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Teacher Outrage in Wisconsin
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/02/20/ravitch.teachers.blamed/index.html?iref=allsearch
Now in the news I believe that a lot of teacher feel that they are being persecuted. Now with the state government threatening their union rights, they have reached a boiling point. I feel that there are a lot of states out there with budget issues, and it seem that they are always looking to take money away from the schools to fund their budget shortfalls. This is highly unfair and I feel that the teachers have a right to be upset about this turn of events. If the state government take away their collective bargaining rights, will they try to do away with the union all together? That is a question that I think we should all ask this question of ourselves?
Now in the news I believe that a lot of teacher feel that they are being persecuted. Now with the state government threatening their union rights, they have reached a boiling point. I feel that there are a lot of states out there with budget issues, and it seem that they are always looking to take money away from the schools to fund their budget shortfalls. This is highly unfair and I feel that the teachers have a right to be upset about this turn of events. If the state government take away their collective bargaining rights, will they try to do away with the union all together? That is a question that I think we should all ask this question of ourselves?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Education in the Digital Age
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/magazine/19video-t.html?pagewanted=1
As I read this article I was excited by the idea that video games in the classroom can stimulate learning. I wholeheartedly agree with the teacher in this article, these days children are technologically savvy and if a teacher can find a tool that will keep children interested he should use it. The children are not just playing videos, they are learning also, they are writing programs and are learning game design by creating games. It's hard to keep the attention of the students, with all the cell phones and ipods and other technology out there. For example that kid Kai, this was perfect for him, he seemed to be very interested in video games and technology. Just looking at the picture of those students, you can see they are totally engrossed in the screen. So in response to video games in the classroom, I say go for it!
As I read this article I was excited by the idea that video games in the classroom can stimulate learning. I wholeheartedly agree with the teacher in this article, these days children are technologically savvy and if a teacher can find a tool that will keep children interested he should use it. The children are not just playing videos, they are learning also, they are writing programs and are learning game design by creating games. It's hard to keep the attention of the students, with all the cell phones and ipods and other technology out there. For example that kid Kai, this was perfect for him, he seemed to be very interested in video games and technology. Just looking at the picture of those students, you can see they are totally engrossed in the screen. So in response to video games in the classroom, I say go for it!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
High School Recess?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/class-struggle/2011/02/is_high_school_recess_a_waste.html
I believe that high school students can survive without a recess during the school day. When I was in high school I did not have a recess during the day. The extra time they could be spending in class instruction could mean the difference in those failing students grades. I believe that once a student reaches high school age they can survive on a longer school day. Students apparently are not using this time for anything other than watching TV anyway so let them do something constructive with their time. The majority of the student body should not get free time because a small number of students need remedial lessons. The school can offer additional classes to those students so they can catch up to their peers.
I believe that high school students can survive without a recess during the school day. When I was in high school I did not have a recess during the day. The extra time they could be spending in class instruction could mean the difference in those failing students grades. I believe that once a student reaches high school age they can survive on a longer school day. Students apparently are not using this time for anything other than watching TV anyway so let them do something constructive with their time. The majority of the student body should not get free time because a small number of students need remedial lessons. The school can offer additional classes to those students so they can catch up to their peers.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
DC Education Reforms Go National
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2010/12/07/exp.am.intv.rhee.cnn
I believe that the US needs an advocacy group like Students First. After watching this video I agree with what Michelle Rhee is saying, when she speaks about teacher's unions and their firing policies regarding age. I agree that it is unfair to fire teachers based on seniority and not based on their skill. By doing this the school system is firing some highly effective teachers and leaving less effective teachers, who may have been in the school for years but have not been doing a very effective job. I also like what she says about giving highly effective teachers recognition for the good job that they are doing. To ensure that we are meeting the needs of the students.
I believe that the US needs an advocacy group like Students First. After watching this video I agree with what Michelle Rhee is saying, when she speaks about teacher's unions and their firing policies regarding age. I agree that it is unfair to fire teachers based on seniority and not based on their skill. By doing this the school system is firing some highly effective teachers and leaving less effective teachers, who may have been in the school for years but have not been doing a very effective job. I also like what she says about giving highly effective teachers recognition for the good job that they are doing. To ensure that we are meeting the needs of the students.
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