I am ALWAYS thinking about education, which is not hard to do when you're a student. While mulling over assignments or stressing over upcoming tests, I often begin to question traditional educational practices. With this segment, readers and I can post questions/issues that we want better insight on. This can create helpful dialouge that not only answers our pressing questions, but displays different perspectives. So the first question will be:
Why do colleges force students to enagage in a core cirriculum that has nothing to do with their intended major? For example, why would a business major need to take a Biology course?
If you have any thoughts, or even another question, please comment below!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
2012 Education Report: A Year in Review (The Good)
A few weeks ago I discussed last year's Newtown, Connecticut tragedy as an example of the problems that schools in America are facing. Terrorism toward school children is an issue that must be discussed. I can only hope that in the future communities, state governments, and Capitol Hill will be able to come together in order to create policies that will prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
Today I will focus on a policy that has been in place for almost four years. Though controversial, I believe that Race to the Top (RTT) has wholly benefited American public education.
True to its title, RTT is a country-wide competition that is based on systematic improvement. While some states, such as Texas, have vehemently refused to participate in the program, other states are scrambling to make the necessary changes to even qualify for funding. The program's funding is based on a point system. Whichever states rack in the most points are awarded large sums of money that are to be used for further improvements. For a grand total of 485 points (15 point bonus if the state has a STEM initiative) a state must display: Great Teachers and Leaders (138 points), Standards and Assessments (70 points), and Data Systems to Support Instruction (47 points) among other criteria.
Today I will focus on a policy that has been in place for almost four years. Though controversial, I believe that Race to the Top (RTT) has wholly benefited American public education.
What Is Race to the Top?
Race to the Top is a federal initiative that offers financial incentives to states that are working towards education reform and academic improvement by doing the following:
- Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy
- Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teacher and principals about how they can improve instruction
- Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals
- Turning around our lowest-achieving schools
True to its title, RTT is a country-wide competition that is based on systematic improvement. While some states, such as Texas, have vehemently refused to participate in the program, other states are scrambling to make the necessary changes to even qualify for funding. The program's funding is based on a point system. Whichever states rack in the most points are awarded large sums of money that are to be used for further improvements. For a grand total of 485 points (15 point bonus if the state has a STEM initiative) a state must display: Great Teachers and Leaders (138 points), Standards and Assessments (70 points), and Data Systems to Support Instruction (47 points) among other criteria.
Who benefits from Race to the Top?
Everyone! One and a half million hard-working teachers and principals who strive to perfect their craft are being celebrated in 19 states. Twenty-two million students are currently benefiting from the extra funds being pumped into their schools.
How much does Race to the Top cost?
To date Race to the Top has devoted over four billion dollars to states who earned the most points. Currently the program is being supported by tax dollars.
What changed in 2012?
During 2012 President Obama made the RTTT program even more innovative by introducing Race to the Top- District competition. This program has invested nearly $400 million in schools to enhance student experiences in school. The program aims to push students to pursure their intrests while taking the wheel for their own success. Personalization is the name of the game for many schools. In addition to the initiatives mentioned above, schools must facilitate a community atmosphere in order to foster healthy student-teacher relationships.
If anything, RTTT has shown that teachers must be evaluated based on their students' performance. While this seems fair in theory, assessing teachers may interfere with valuable classroom time. Teacher evaluations in public schools are also problematic because not all subjects can be tested. How, for example, can one's progress in a music or art class be assessed? This year I will be excited to see how the Obama administration will come up with a policy that:
What can America look forward to in 2013?
- Weeds out ineffective teachers
- Evaluates all educators in the same manner
- Puts the students' best interest before a political agenda
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
2012 Education Report: A Year in Review (The Bad)
First I want to say happy new year! God has so much in store for me this year and I am working towards them even now! With that out of the way, let's get into today's discussion!
I've had this post in mind since this blog's conception. I wanted to do an in depth review of America's most prominent issues concerning education. With that I started brainstorming. Should I cover Chicago's teacher strike? I could talk about North Carolina's dramatic teacher pay cuts. Or perhaps I should stay closer to home and discuss the Atlanta cheating scandal. I can, and will, discuss all of these topics as they concern me as a future educator. But I would be remiss if I did not discuss the tragedy of the Sandy Hook massacre that occurred only a few weeks ago. My heart breaks for the community and the families of the babies and teachers whose lives were mercilessly taken from them. I honestly could not sit through an entire report, written or otherwise, about the murders without becoming physically ill with grief, confusion, anger, and shock.
I wish I didn't have to write this. I would much rather never have known the names and stories of these people. I also realize that I would do a great disservice to my readers (aka my mom) if I did not discuss. Here are things that come to mind when I remember Sandy Hook.
As a big sister to a fourth grader, I was immediately shaken at the news. Who would kill innocent babies? Could this happen again? How can we make sure that our children are being protected? Despite my mulling over this topic for weeks, I still come up short for answers. I do know that as much as we want to, humans cannot control the actions of other people. A tragedy of this magnitude may happen again. So what can families do?
I've had this post in mind since this blog's conception. I wanted to do an in depth review of America's most prominent issues concerning education. With that I started brainstorming. Should I cover Chicago's teacher strike? I could talk about North Carolina's dramatic teacher pay cuts. Or perhaps I should stay closer to home and discuss the Atlanta cheating scandal. I can, and will, discuss all of these topics as they concern me as a future educator. But I would be remiss if I did not discuss the tragedy of the Sandy Hook massacre that occurred only a few weeks ago. My heart breaks for the community and the families of the babies and teachers whose lives were mercilessly taken from them. I honestly could not sit through an entire report, written or otherwise, about the murders without becoming physically ill with grief, confusion, anger, and shock.
I wish I didn't have to write this. I would much rather never have known the names and stories of these people. I also realize that I would do a great disservice to my readers (aka my mom) if I did not discuss. Here are things that come to mind when I remember Sandy Hook.
The Future: Family
As a big sister to a fourth grader, I was immediately shaken at the news. Who would kill innocent babies? Could this happen again? How can we make sure that our children are being protected? Despite my mulling over this topic for weeks, I still come up short for answers. I do know that as much as we want to, humans cannot control the actions of other people. A tragedy of this magnitude may happen again. So what can families do?
- Treat every moment like it's the last time. I cannot begin to count the many times that I have gotten into arguments with family members before school. Some were warranted. Others were as trivial as "Who ate the last of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch?!" As much as I love to be understood and win arguments, in the grand scheme of things, life is too volatile to fight. I would hate to know that my last interaction with a loved one who was suddenly taken away from me involved yelling and tears. So before anyone leaves the house, hug them. In the car ride to school or work, don't fight over radio stations, just enjoy each other's company. I'm sure the family members of Sandy Hook are longing for one more happy moment. Today, we don't have to long for another memory. We can make them now! Create peace.
- PRAY! So what if prayer is banned in schools? No law can keep us from praying at home. I personally pray for grace, peace, and protection in my home, family and life. Prayer is so comforting, and I do believe it works. Actually I want to pray that a spirit of peace and love follows the entire Sandy Hook/ Newtown community. I know that it can be difficult going into a new year without the family members you love the most. I wish them all serenity and joy going into 2013.
The Future: Schools
1. While we can't pray and worry, we might as well pray while preparing. Every school I have attended has had an "open door" policy. Family members and former students are more than welcome to attend events and simply drop in, so long as they sign in at the front office of the school. So imagine my surprise when a few weeks ago, I was not allowed to attend my little brother's year-end pizza party. (insert tire screech here) Granted this was a week after Sandy Hook, so the school's policy seemed reasonable. Many other parents did not agree. While irritated moms balanced trays of cookies and cupcakes, they waited in line to give the principal a piece of their mind. The school's new policy is that the only way a family member could enter a classroom is by calling 24 hours ahead to announce their presence. While that's completely understandable, a person with a gun would probably shoot up the front office and proceed. Something needs to be done, but I'm not sure what.
2. TALK! Concerning the Newtown shootings, Americans don't know which way is up. If anything, confusion always leads to fear. Americans don't know what do next. We already see that gun sales have increased since Sandy Hook. People are scared and, in an attempt to save themselves, they are putting themselves in the way of danger. I propose schools and communities should hold forums in order to discuss how to move forward. Perhaps communities could elect volunteer security personnel, or have workshops where teachers can learn what to do if anything like this happens in their school.
There are solutions! While we cannot grieve forever, we can all remember Sandy Hook and use this heartbreak to encourage peace, discussion, and prayer. What are your thoughts?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)