Critical Project 4
Dropout Rates Among Minorities
By Kendra Bristol
There are many reasons why the dropout rate among minority groups group are high at such an alarming rate. Lack of parents involvement, language, and teachers, are some of the reasons that contributes to the dropout rates among many students in public schools. Parents plays a very important role in a child's life.
A parent’s duty is to protect, love, and nurture their child, so that a child can function in society. When it comes to education a parent should stress the importance of obtaining a good education and make sure they establish a firm foundation. If the parents do not believe in education how will the students believe. Also playing a major role in the dropout rate is the parent's income. Parents income too play a major role in the dropout rate.
Linver, Fuligni and Brooks- Gunn (2004) stated that one of the major related issues is disparity between test scores of African American and European American children, which still persists, though diminished, after accounting for income and other family background differences (pg 25). This occurs because a parent might be poor which causes discrimination. This discrimination can be based on race, nationality, and class. However, this is one of the major reasons in relationship with parents that cause the dropout rates among minorities groups in public schools.
Gollnick and Chinn (2008) described language as a system of vocal sound and/ or non verbal system by which members communicate with one another (pg 200). Acceptable language or should I say Standard English is what the public schools in America base their rules and regulations. Many of the minority students have some type of dialect because English was not their first language and there are many that do not speak English at all. So this pose a big problem in public schools. Communication between student to student might not be a problem because many of them understands and communicate with each other because they are speak non standard English, bilingual, or ebonics. With this said socializing with peers is not the issue. The issue here is what the public schools accept as being acceptable. This is where the teachers plays the important role of teaching the students what are needed to meet these acceptable standards.
On the path on of becoming a Teacher I believe that the number one goal should be willing to commit and make a change in a student's life. However, According to the National Center for Education Statistics nearly half of all teachers quit during their first five years. If the teachers are quitting at such a rapid rate how will the students build trust in their teachers and learn. Some teachers are just in it for the pay, not for the best interest of these students. So as a result there will be poor grades, language that are not acceptable and high dropout rate.
Minority students in public schools are faced with numerous problems that helps contributes to the high dropout rate. But if parents, teachers and the community come together to tackle this problem; I believe the outcome for minority students would be different. I am aware that there is research being done and programs that are in place to help minority students, but, however, from my point of view, this process is very slow and dropout rates are getting higher. I propose that a parent should take the time out and look into their child's performance by attending parent meetings, and requesting a monthly progress report from the child's teacher. Furthermore, parents should take time out of their busy schedule to sit, talk and prepare activities that will help in better communication; also help to convey information to their child where the teacher was not able to.
Teachers should also be willing to invest their time in students and not quit when thing seems tough. This will help build a relationship of trust. Because this shows the students that someone cares and there is someone that they can count on. Teachers should create activities and have patients to sit and explain to students what are expected of them. Also try to build a relationship with parents at the beginning of the term.
Students should also be willing to learn and show respect to both parents and teachers. So that it will help motivate them to teach and invest in them. It should not be a one way path where student are the only one who benefit; but a continuous path where communication, agreement, diversity and learning can grow.
Reference
Gollnick, D. M. & Chinn, P. C. (2008). Multicultural education in a pluralistic society (8th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill / Pearson
Kaufman, P., Kwon, J. Y., Klein, S., Chapman, C. D. (1999). Fast Facts: Dropout Rates. Retrieved October 11th 2009 from The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) website: http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/
Linver, M. R., Fuligni, A. S., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2004). How do parents matter? Income, interactions, and intervention during early childhood. In D. Conley & K. Albright (Eds.), After the bell: Family background, public policy and educational success, (pp. 25-50). New York, NY: Routledge.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Critical #4
No Child Left Behind Act NCLB and the effects is has on the U.S education system
By Jennifer Pitt
In America we are constantly trying to improve the education system. Over the decades, many laws have been created to do just this. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is one example of new legislation designed to enhance the learning of our students. It was signed into law by President Bush in January of 2002. Since then NCLB has had people both praise it and criticizes it.
NCLB has been called “the most significant and controversial change in federal education policy” in that past 40 years (Kellough, 2007, p. 17). That is because it reaches almost every aspect of education. It requires that schools do a number of things which include having annual testing that show progress, highly qualified teachers in core content areas, dialogue between schools and families, and many other specifications. In order to receive federal funding schools have to comply with all the specifications and even more importantly make yearly progress. When the law was signed in 2002 some schools gave up the federal funding, believing that the program required too much.
The Act recognizes that students from different groups (racial, social, etc) will have different experiences. This is because schools in higher-income locations tend to have more money for educational expenses. This results in students who perform better on standardized tests. NCLB expect schools to “ensure that all students achieve standards and perform at grade level in reading, mathematics, and science regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, native language, and disability” (Johnson, 2008, p. 45). It holds schools accountable for this and there are penalties for schools who do not achieve this.
Yet while the goal of this act is very noble, a better education system that has its roots in equal education, the delivery of it is much harder. For example, schools in Westchester NY receive money from the taxes people pay on their land. Schools in New York City do not have this luxury, which means that even with federal money there is still a potentially huge gap in funding. While schools in suburban areas receive new textbooks, can pay for those highly qualified teachers, and can afford special programs, schools in the urban setting are struggling to buy a classroom set of textbooks and send their teachers out for further training. This of course affects the kind of education the students receive.
Other complaints about NCLB are that standardized tests are not the best way to measure a student’s performance and that you cannot hold the school fully accountable because of outside factors. I believe that while the bill did make efforts to improve education, it over looked a few aspects of education. People who had a hand in the bill may have never set foot in a classroom before, let alone fully understand what it is like to be a teacher in big cities, farm towns, and suburban areas all at one time. The bill has been detrimental in that it puts pressure on our students, some of them would rather drop out than take a test a second, third or fourth time. I believe that reforms are needed to address the many different issues brought into light by this bill.
Reference:
Johnson, J. (2008) Foundations of American education. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Kellough, R. D. & Kellough, N. G. (2007). Secondary school teaching: A guide to methods and resources (3rd ed). Upper Saddle River: Merrill Prentices Hall
Critical Project #4
Critical Project #4
Standardized Testing
Karen Y. Carter
It seems the nation is test crazy. Everywhere you turn, there’s a test for something. If you want to qualify for or get promoted on some civil service positions, there’s a test. To get into some graduate schools and college, there’s a test. In some states, such as North Carolina, in order to graduate from high school, there’s an exit exam. Thanks to the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) signed by George W. Bush in 2001, you and your children can look forward to the anxiety causing, nerve racking test taking rituals which begin as early as first grade and reach all the way through the twelfth grade.
You would think with all the tests students are being given, they are being better educated. However, according to some experts and educators, this is not the case. Are we as a nation forsaking the thirst and accumulation of knowledge and information in favor of high stakes testing? As a parent of several children and one who has sat on various curriculum meetings such as the School Leadership Team, I have to agree with the critics who say that high stakes testing is not and should not be the only determining factor that shows what a student has learned.
Under No Child Left Behind (NCLB), standardized testing is being used as THE way to measure student achievement and school accountability. “The legislation requires schools to produce proof that each school’s students and each sub group of students within each school are making annual achievement test gains – measured as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) – toward full proficiency in math and reading”. (Johnson, p. 40) Subgroups of students include but are not limited to students with disabilities (special education), African-American, Latino or Hispanic and English Language learners. If schools fail to demonstrate that any of these sub groups of students can achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), they are subjected to penalties and punishment such as loss of funds and/or school closure.
This, most critics say, is part of the problem with the emphasis on standardized testing. In addition, standardized testing does not take into consideration other factors that influence how well a student does. Factors such as poverty, cultural attitude towards testing, language barriers particularly for non-native English speakers, lack of resources within a school, etc. can have an effect on a student’s performance. Standardized testing is also used to determine whether or not a child is promoted to the next grade, graduates from high school or enters college. All of this puts undue stress and pressure on schools and students to pass them, sometimes to the point where teachers are teaching to the test and parents are spending a small fortune on test prep classes and materials. Students can suffer negative consequences such as test anxiety where sometimes students will stay home to avoid taking a test, students in middle and high school may drop out because their scores were not high enough to move on to the next level or get them into the school of their choice or allowed to graduate even though they may have done well during the course of the year. Tracking and labeling students based upon test scores have resulted in students, especially minorities, being placed in slower or special education classes.
In her article, “Standardized Test Aren’t Like T-shirts: One Size Doesn’t Fit All”, Michele Phillips asserts that:
“High stakes testing may give us a slight measure of a child’s intellect, but they also measure a child’s culture and language. Standardized test are biased. Bias takes place when the test scores are influenced by irrelevant characteristics of the test taker such as race, sex, family, wealth, religion and so forth (Strenio, 1981). For the most part, standardized multiple choice tests are culturally biased in favor of the culture toward which the test is directed – the mainstream White culture (Elford, 2002). Current methods of making standardized tests must be abandoned (Bormuth, 1970)”.
Many parents and some educators are asking that when Congress revisits the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), legislators consider revising the testing mandates within the bill to include other items which can be used to measure student achievement such as portfolio assessments. Colleges and universities such as Drew University, Franklin and Marshall College, Hamilton and Bart College are among a growing number who are making the SAT optional instead of mandatory. Non-profit organizations such as Fair Test and the National Center for Fair and Open Testing are working to help insure that standardized tests are less bias. All of these efforts together will help ensure that students are given the tools to succeed and that no child is truly left behind.
References
(2006). Standardized Tests Aren’t Life T-Shirts: One Size Doesn’t Fit All. Multicultural Education, 14(1), 52-55. http://search.ebscohost.com.aveoserv.library.fordham.edu.
Copenhaver-Johnson, J. (2007). Part III: CREATING MULTICULTURAL CLASSROOMS, Rolling Back Advances in Multicultural Education: No Child Left Behind and “Highly Qualified Teachers”. Multicultural Perspectives, 9(4), 40-47. http://search.ebscohost.com.aveoserv.library.fordham.edu.
Standardized Testing
Karen Y. Carter
It seems the nation is test crazy. Everywhere you turn, there’s a test for something. If you want to qualify for or get promoted on some civil service positions, there’s a test. To get into some graduate schools and college, there’s a test. In some states, such as North Carolina, in order to graduate from high school, there’s an exit exam. Thanks to the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) signed by George W. Bush in 2001, you and your children can look forward to the anxiety causing, nerve racking test taking rituals which begin as early as first grade and reach all the way through the twelfth grade.
You would think with all the tests students are being given, they are being better educated. However, according to some experts and educators, this is not the case. Are we as a nation forsaking the thirst and accumulation of knowledge and information in favor of high stakes testing? As a parent of several children and one who has sat on various curriculum meetings such as the School Leadership Team, I have to agree with the critics who say that high stakes testing is not and should not be the only determining factor that shows what a student has learned.
Under No Child Left Behind (NCLB), standardized testing is being used as THE way to measure student achievement and school accountability. “The legislation requires schools to produce proof that each school’s students and each sub group of students within each school are making annual achievement test gains – measured as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) – toward full proficiency in math and reading”. (Johnson, p. 40) Subgroups of students include but are not limited to students with disabilities (special education), African-American, Latino or Hispanic and English Language learners. If schools fail to demonstrate that any of these sub groups of students can achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), they are subjected to penalties and punishment such as loss of funds and/or school closure.
This, most critics say, is part of the problem with the emphasis on standardized testing. In addition, standardized testing does not take into consideration other factors that influence how well a student does. Factors such as poverty, cultural attitude towards testing, language barriers particularly for non-native English speakers, lack of resources within a school, etc. can have an effect on a student’s performance. Standardized testing is also used to determine whether or not a child is promoted to the next grade, graduates from high school or enters college. All of this puts undue stress and pressure on schools and students to pass them, sometimes to the point where teachers are teaching to the test and parents are spending a small fortune on test prep classes and materials. Students can suffer negative consequences such as test anxiety where sometimes students will stay home to avoid taking a test, students in middle and high school may drop out because their scores were not high enough to move on to the next level or get them into the school of their choice or allowed to graduate even though they may have done well during the course of the year. Tracking and labeling students based upon test scores have resulted in students, especially minorities, being placed in slower or special education classes.
In her article, “Standardized Test Aren’t Like T-shirts: One Size Doesn’t Fit All”, Michele Phillips asserts that:
“High stakes testing may give us a slight measure of a child’s intellect, but they also measure a child’s culture and language. Standardized test are biased. Bias takes place when the test scores are influenced by irrelevant characteristics of the test taker such as race, sex, family, wealth, religion and so forth (Strenio, 1981). For the most part, standardized multiple choice tests are culturally biased in favor of the culture toward which the test is directed – the mainstream White culture (Elford, 2002). Current methods of making standardized tests must be abandoned (Bormuth, 1970)”.
Many parents and some educators are asking that when Congress revisits the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), legislators consider revising the testing mandates within the bill to include other items which can be used to measure student achievement such as portfolio assessments. Colleges and universities such as Drew University, Franklin and Marshall College, Hamilton and Bart College are among a growing number who are making the SAT optional instead of mandatory. Non-profit organizations such as Fair Test and the National Center for Fair and Open Testing are working to help insure that standardized tests are less bias. All of these efforts together will help ensure that students are given the tools to succeed and that no child is truly left behind.
References
(2006). Standardized Tests Aren’t Life T-Shirts: One Size Doesn’t Fit All. Multicultural Education, 14(1), 52-55. http://search.ebscohost.com.aveoserv.library.fordham.edu.
Copenhaver-Johnson, J. (2007). Part III: CREATING MULTICULTURAL CLASSROOMS, Rolling Back Advances in Multicultural Education: No Child Left Behind and “Highly Qualified Teachers”. Multicultural Perspectives, 9(4), 40-47. http://search.ebscohost.com.aveoserv.library.fordham.edu.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Diversity in Education
Critical Project for Week 4
Diversity in Education
Laura Nugent
Statistics reported that many governing board trustees of US colleges and universities do not have diversity among their membership. In 2006, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Section B, Diversity in Academe, Governing Boards Make Gains in Diversity, Kathryn Masterson, Vol. LVI, No.8, 10/16/09) found that 90% of trustees were white and 64% were male. As the world of education globalizes, it needs executive board members who understand diversity needs. Financial decisions need to be made concerning the allocations of funds that support departments that serve the students from various cultures. An extra effort has to be made to search out board members who represent diverse cultures, races and sexual orientations. In recessionary times, some trustees may regard diversity departments as a luxury but as global education grows, so should the needs to meet these changes grow. Some of the issues that board members need to address are the establishment of affirmative action programs, marketing to the international community and outreach programs and services for diversity issues. Some new concerns are dealing with age, sexual orientation, transgender, disabilities and socioeconomic classes.
Different countries have different diversity concerns. In Britain, socioeconomic status divides people, in the Middle East discrimination against women has been a problem and in Brazil, racism is a concern. In the US there is much concern about serving the minorities. US is a country of immigrants. The minorities of today will be the majorities of tomorrow. The underserved from marginalized communities are given opportunities in the US thru financial aid and grants. The disabled also have access to education. Most colleges have a disabilities department to tutor exceptional students. Affirmative action programs have given opportunities to the underserved by balancing out the ethnic variety in an institution by way of their admissions policy. (CHE, Section B Diversity in Academe, Affirmative Action, Brazilian Style, Marion Lloyd, Vol. LVI, Number 8, 10/16/09)
Marketing to the international community is expanding. Many prestigious universities in the US are establishing a global presence abroad. Such institutions are New York University, Michigan State and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. New York University is opening up a campus in the United Arab Emirates in 2010. It will be a global network university that will recruit students from all over the world especially Africa, Asia and Europe. NY students will be able to study at both NY and Abu Dhabi campuses. (CHE, Section B, Diversity in Academe, Catching Up in the Persian Gulf, Vol. LVI, No. 8, 10/16/09)
What’s needed for diversity in education? The faculty body needs to represent diversity. Ongoing professional development workshops for diversity training are needed.
Students need tutoring in foreign languages. International advising for foreign students, housing for international students, ethnic clubs, sexual Orientation clubs are a few issues.
Campus diversity profiles; many US students, due to the recession are looking into schools abroad and at the same time we are experiencing an influx of international students. An example is Portland State University. Between 2005 and 2006, there was an influx of Saudis. In 2008 new students arrived from Libya and Vietnam and in 2010 a new wave of Chinese students are expected. In the US, 40% percent of our college students come from India, China, South Korea, Vietnam Saudi Arabia and China.These new shifts in student migration challenge faculty and staff. New and evolving issues will arise that need creative solutions. For example, more Basic English classes are needed, more tutoring program and cultural counseling. The study of comparative religions should be in the curriculum. (CHE, Section B, Diversity in Academe, Colleges Large and Small Help International Students Adjust to American Life, Josh Keller, Vol. LVI No.8, 10/16/09)
What’s needed regarding professional development? Faculty can use diversity as great learning tool for transformative learning. Faculty need to be aware of their own prejudices and biases. There are management consultants and cultural translators who can teach faculty how to bridge the generation divide among young students and teachers. One such company is BridgeWorks, LLC
All countries will now be focusing on educational equity for their students as they prepare them to become members of the globally competitive workplace.
All of the above information is referenced from:
The Chronicle of Higher Education, Section B, Diversity in Academe Volume LVI, Number 8, Oct. 16, 2009.
Diversity in Education
Laura Nugent
Statistics reported that many governing board trustees of US colleges and universities do not have diversity among their membership. In 2006, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Section B, Diversity in Academe, Governing Boards Make Gains in Diversity, Kathryn Masterson, Vol. LVI, No.8, 10/16/09) found that 90% of trustees were white and 64% were male. As the world of education globalizes, it needs executive board members who understand diversity needs. Financial decisions need to be made concerning the allocations of funds that support departments that serve the students from various cultures. An extra effort has to be made to search out board members who represent diverse cultures, races and sexual orientations. In recessionary times, some trustees may regard diversity departments as a luxury but as global education grows, so should the needs to meet these changes grow. Some of the issues that board members need to address are the establishment of affirmative action programs, marketing to the international community and outreach programs and services for diversity issues. Some new concerns are dealing with age, sexual orientation, transgender, disabilities and socioeconomic classes.
Different countries have different diversity concerns. In Britain, socioeconomic status divides people, in the Middle East discrimination against women has been a problem and in Brazil, racism is a concern. In the US there is much concern about serving the minorities. US is a country of immigrants. The minorities of today will be the majorities of tomorrow. The underserved from marginalized communities are given opportunities in the US thru financial aid and grants. The disabled also have access to education. Most colleges have a disabilities department to tutor exceptional students. Affirmative action programs have given opportunities to the underserved by balancing out the ethnic variety in an institution by way of their admissions policy. (CHE, Section B Diversity in Academe, Affirmative Action, Brazilian Style, Marion Lloyd, Vol. LVI, Number 8, 10/16/09)
Marketing to the international community is expanding. Many prestigious universities in the US are establishing a global presence abroad. Such institutions are New York University, Michigan State and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. New York University is opening up a campus in the United Arab Emirates in 2010. It will be a global network university that will recruit students from all over the world especially Africa, Asia and Europe. NY students will be able to study at both NY and Abu Dhabi campuses. (CHE, Section B, Diversity in Academe, Catching Up in the Persian Gulf, Vol. LVI, No. 8, 10/16/09)
What’s needed for diversity in education? The faculty body needs to represent diversity. Ongoing professional development workshops for diversity training are needed.
Students need tutoring in foreign languages. International advising for foreign students, housing for international students, ethnic clubs, sexual Orientation clubs are a few issues.
Campus diversity profiles; many US students, due to the recession are looking into schools abroad and at the same time we are experiencing an influx of international students. An example is Portland State University. Between 2005 and 2006, there was an influx of Saudis. In 2008 new students arrived from Libya and Vietnam and in 2010 a new wave of Chinese students are expected. In the US, 40% percent of our college students come from India, China, South Korea, Vietnam Saudi Arabia and China.These new shifts in student migration challenge faculty and staff. New and evolving issues will arise that need creative solutions. For example, more Basic English classes are needed, more tutoring program and cultural counseling. The study of comparative religions should be in the curriculum. (CHE, Section B, Diversity in Academe, Colleges Large and Small Help International Students Adjust to American Life, Josh Keller, Vol. LVI No.8, 10/16/09)
What’s needed regarding professional development? Faculty can use diversity as great learning tool for transformative learning. Faculty need to be aware of their own prejudices and biases. There are management consultants and cultural translators who can teach faculty how to bridge the generation divide among young students and teachers. One such company is BridgeWorks, LLC
All countries will now be focusing on educational equity for their students as they prepare them to become members of the globally competitive workplace.
All of the above information is referenced from:
The Chronicle of Higher Education, Section B, Diversity in Academe Volume LVI, Number 8, Oct. 16, 2009.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Critical Project #3
Funding Inequities in Education
Karen Y. Carter
Funding education has never been an easy job. With the recent economic crisis, states are cutting the budgets of many school districts while at the same time, parents from underserved communities are questioning funding and spending formulas states use to provide money to their schools. Voters in many states are choosing not to approve bills which provide education funding to their districts.
In 1993, the organization called Campaign for Fiscal Equity filed a lawsuit against New York State charging that New York City schoolchildren are being short changed via the funding formula used to provide money to its schools thereby denying the students their constitutional right to a decent education. After a twelve year battle, the case made its way to the State Supreme Court which ruled that New York State had indeed short changed New York City schoolchildren and must change its funding formula. The governor at that time, George Pataki, chose to appeal the ruling three times rather that adhere to the ruling. The end result came on November 20, 2006 when the State Court of Appeals upheld the right of NYC public school children to a sound basic education and established a minimum funding amount for NYC public schools. There are also at least nineteen other states who face such litigations.
Fast forward to 2009, four years after the final ruling of the lawsuit where we find New York City schools suffering through two rounds of mid-year budget cuts approved by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the forthcoming cuts in the state budget outlined by Governor David Patterson. Compounding the problem is the collapse of many financial institutions on Wall Street as well as rising unemployment and shrinking tax base adding to New York City’s dismal economic picture. Many other states such as Michigan with the loss of the automotive industry are looking at the same type of economic picture and have cut spending in education as well as other essential services. Voters in many states are also not eager to increase funding for schools in their state either. Some examples, voters in Maine did not approve a property tax cap which may result in state cuts in education funding and in Washington, Nevada, Arkansas and Missouri; voters went against bills which would give more money to their school districts. Oklahoma is one of the few states who actually voted to add money to their school districts by approving a state lottery system. “Education advocates say that funding defeats are not a signal that voters aren’t in favor of school spending, just that they are cautious about how money is raised”. (Silverman, p .16)
The Policy Information Center of the Educational Testing Service (ETS) released a report called, The State of Inequality, which analyzed data from the 1990 state-by-state assessment of mathematics achievement. Included in this data are results of other factors including spending inequities. Among their findings:
“After adjusting for cost of living differences, the average expenditures per student range from almost $7,000 in New York to $3,000 in Utah. States vary in both their wealth and their willingness to spend on education. Wyoming spends almost 8 percent of its personal income on education compared to New Hampshire’s 3 percent. When degree of effort is taken into account, state ranks change. New Jersey is second in absolute spending, but about in the middle when effort is calculated. Utah rises from last to the top tier”. (Lewis, p. 62)
After taking all of these factors into consideration, it is no wonder that many school systems in the United States are struggling to make ends meet so that they can provide their students with a quality education and why there is such a disparity.
References
Funding Inequities in Education
Karen Y. Carter
Funding education has never been an easy job. With the recent economic crisis, states are cutting the budgets of many school districts while at the same time, parents from underserved communities are questioning funding and spending formulas states use to provide money to their schools. Voters in many states are choosing not to approve bills which provide education funding to their districts.
In 1993, the organization called Campaign for Fiscal Equity filed a lawsuit against New York State charging that New York City schoolchildren are being short changed via the funding formula used to provide money to its schools thereby denying the students their constitutional right to a decent education. After a twelve year battle, the case made its way to the State Supreme Court which ruled that New York State had indeed short changed New York City schoolchildren and must change its funding formula. The governor at that time, George Pataki, chose to appeal the ruling three times rather that adhere to the ruling. The end result came on November 20, 2006 when the State Court of Appeals upheld the right of NYC public school children to a sound basic education and established a minimum funding amount for NYC public schools. There are also at least nineteen other states who face such litigations.
Fast forward to 2009, four years after the final ruling of the lawsuit where we find New York City schools suffering through two rounds of mid-year budget cuts approved by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the forthcoming cuts in the state budget outlined by Governor David Patterson. Compounding the problem is the collapse of many financial institutions on Wall Street as well as rising unemployment and shrinking tax base adding to New York City’s dismal economic picture. Many other states such as Michigan with the loss of the automotive industry are looking at the same type of economic picture and have cut spending in education as well as other essential services. Voters in many states are also not eager to increase funding for schools in their state either. Some examples, voters in Maine did not approve a property tax cap which may result in state cuts in education funding and in Washington, Nevada, Arkansas and Missouri; voters went against bills which would give more money to their school districts. Oklahoma is one of the few states who actually voted to add money to their school districts by approving a state lottery system. “Education advocates say that funding defeats are not a signal that voters aren’t in favor of school spending, just that they are cautious about how money is raised”. (Silverman, p .16)
The Policy Information Center of the Educational Testing Service (ETS) released a report called, The State of Inequality, which analyzed data from the 1990 state-by-state assessment of mathematics achievement. Included in this data are results of other factors including spending inequities. Among their findings:
“After adjusting for cost of living differences, the average expenditures per student range from almost $7,000 in New York to $3,000 in Utah. States vary in both their wealth and their willingness to spend on education. Wyoming spends almost 8 percent of its personal income on education compared to New Hampshire’s 3 percent. When degree of effort is taken into account, state ranks change. New Jersey is second in absolute spending, but about in the middle when effort is calculated. Utah rises from last to the top tier”. (Lewis, p. 62)
After taking all of these factors into consideration, it is no wonder that many school systems in the United States are struggling to make ends meet so that they can provide their students with a quality education and why there is such a disparity.
References
Barton, P., Coley, R. J., Goertz, M. E. (1991) The State of Inequality. Report Number: PIC-STATEINEQ. The Educational Testing Service.
deMause, N. & Green, E. (2009) The Campaign for Fiscal Equity Lawsuit Was The Best Hope For City Schools. It Failed. The Village Voice. Retrieved from http://www.villagevoice.com/209-1-21/news/the-campaign-for-fiscal-equity-lawsuit-was-the-best-for-city-schools-it-failed/
Fields, C. (2005). Governor needs to move on school equity. New York Amsterdam News, 9, 6 (9), 13. Retrieved from http://search.ebsclhost.com.avoserv.library.fordham.edu
Lewis, A. (1992). Budgets and Inequity. Education Digest, 57 (6), 62. http://search.ebscohost.com
Fields, C. (2005). Governor needs to move on school equity. New York Amsterdam News, 9, 6 (9), 13. Retrieved from http://search.ebsclhost.com.avoserv.library.fordham.edu
Lewis, A. (1992). Budgets and Inequity. Education Digest, 57 (6), 62. http://search.ebscohost.com
Silverman, F. (2005) Voters Send Mixed Messages On Funding Education. Update Department. District Administration. Retrieved from http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=689
Monday, October 19, 2009
Why Men Commit Violent Acts Against Women: Feminist Research Dispels the Myths
"Young men are often not encouraged to break out of the expected masculine role with its own rules of what is required to be a man. They may become depressed and have lower self-esteem as they try to conform to the rules (Flood, 2001). Young men should have the opportunity to explore their privileged role in our inequitable society. They should learn to speak for the equity of girls and women ( Gollnick & Chinn, 2009)." The author's reference to "young" would most certainly apply to all men.
Social scientists have been documenting, what was once known as “wife abuse,” for centuries but violence against women was not recognized as a social issue until the 1970s. The women’s movement of the late 1960s and 1970s played a major role in raising awareness about this social ill and feminists were at the forefront of the struggle to expose violence against women for what it really is. Not a private matter affecting a few dysfunctional families or, where sexual assault is concerned, a crime committed by mentally ill men, provoked by the seductively dressed women that lead them on, and then reneged on what was originally consensual. But rather, the manifestation of a male dominated, sexist society (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
In leading the movement feminists organized ‘speak-outs’ where victims could discuss their abuse openly, established crisis lines for counseling and support and provided shelters for families transitioning out of their circumstances. In the early 1970s, “…Feminist social scientists started collecting data about partner violence and sexual assault and reframing research questions from, “What’s wrong with women who get raped or abused?” and “What’s wrong with men that abuse or kill the women they claim they love?” to “How do our society’s gender norms contribute to the high rate of violence against women?” and “Does the differential power that males and females have in our society contribute to the problem of domestic violence against women (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005)?”
Violence against women is now a major subfield of social science research and the most influential research in this subfield is published in Social Problems , the journal of the Society for the Study of Social Problems which covers sexual assault, wife abuse, sexual harassment, stalking, as well as institutional and feminist responses to violence against women (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). This critical body of literature serves as the foundation for researchers to build on. The most common thread amongst the research cited in these articles is challenging "taken-for-granted knowledge", authors change the research lens and look at an issue in a new way, discrediting assumptions that their research exposed as myths (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005, p. 3). "Social Problems provides a lens through which we can analyze, question and dialogue about these critical issues” (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005, p. 10).
Myth: “Irrational, psychopathic men rape to satisfy their sexual appetite.”
54% of violence against women is perpetrated by someone they know (intimate partner, friend or acquaintance) but in most cases the violence is committed by an intimate partner (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
The men that refuse to take responsibility for their actions and the family members, friends and counselors that enable them, cite the following reasons for their violent behavior:
· Under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
· Stress causes them to lose control
· Partner provoked behavior
· Grew up in an abusive household
· Victim of physical abuse
· Suffering from mental illness
(Renzetti & Bergen, 2005)
Research by Diana Scully and Joseph Marolla questioned the popular idea that rape is “ a non-utilitarian act committed by a few ‘sick men.’ Their findings reveal a number of motivations but all rapists interviewed shared a sense of entitlement to the women they objectified and enjoyed the dominance they felt over the women they raped (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). Among the complex motivations revealed in their research, from the perspective of the convicted rapists, was the complexity of the motivations for rape which spurred future research into why men rape (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
Myth: “Women are as violent as men are toward their intimate partners”
This idea comes from research showing women as likely and some say slightly more likely to assault an intimate partner than men are (Archer, 2000; Fiebert, 1997; Strauss, 1999) (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). According to Russell Dobash (Dobash & Dobash, 1979), the data used as the basis for this claim raises questions about its validity which makes the case for the assertion that men and women often provide different accounts of their own and their partner's behavior (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
Myth: “Women stay with their batterer because they are economically dependent on them and/or do not have supportive family/friends to which they can turn.”
Research of Donileen Loseke and Spencer Cahill (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005) shows that both men and women have difficulty leaving their partners even if the relationship is nonviolent but not necessarily happy. Separation and divorce is difficult for all parties involved so their research re-labels a battered women’s decision to stay deviant to normal (Renzetti, Bergen, 2005). In addition, they point to overwhelming empirical evidence that the importance of financial stability and a strong support system is as much a motivating factor for leaving as it is for staying (Baker, Cook, and Norris; Bell, 2003; Moe and Bell, 2004) (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). “The significance of this research is that it shifts the perception of battered women from passive victims with no options to social agents cautiously deciding whether staying or leaving is in the best interests their children and themselves. Besides, leaving does not ensure a women’s safety (Davis, Lyon, and MontiCatania, 1998; DeKeseredy, 1997; Fleury, Sullivan, and Bybee, 2000) (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).”
The attention brought to this issue over the past 30 years has influenced local, state and federal policy. Crisis centers that began in the 1970s through grassroots efforts of these women have grown to over 1200 with a wide range of services including legal, medical and counseling and educational outreach. Many studies by feminist social scientists documenting the depth and breadth of this social ill helped pave the way for passing the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and the reauthorizing it in 2000, which doubled funding for prevention and intervention initiatives (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
There are different schools of thought with regard to how we can end men’s violence against women. One is that a social problem needs a social solution by eradicating sexism and leveling the playing field between the men and women of our male dominated society. Another is that these "sick" men need mental/emotional healing through counseling and/or psychotherapy in order to change their behavior. A fact that cannot be ignored is that these so-called "sick" men have no problem controlling their behavior when it comes to dealing with their boss or other people in positions of authority so, clearly, there is a sense of entitlement that justifies violent behavior toward their intimate partner that would not otherwise be acceptable.
It's hard to ignore the catastrophic affect that violence against women has on our families and society at large and it is also important to acknowledge and address how men's health and well being is impacted. The stress of conforming to society’s definition of manhood, including the lifelong practice of suppressing certain emotions, must wreak havoc on them mentally and physically (the depression and low self-esteem cited in Gollnick & Chinn, 2009 are also contributing factors). It's no wonder that, around the world, women outlive men (Jones, 2001).
Kathleen Tierney's (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005) documentation of the first 10 years of the battered women’s movement, using social movements analysis, shows that, unlike other social movements, this movement did not gain momentum because of public outrage which was, at best, indifferent to the problem. Instead, the strong base and supporters recognized how providing resources to the movement would benefit them (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). Tierney is concerned that yielding to pressure from funders may make the movement more mainstream and service oriented; less political and less radical. Sure enough, there is evidence that some agencies involved in the movement have toned down their feminist rhetoric to make their message more palatable to funders and some have compromised the feminist principles by adopting more bureaucratic policies (Donnelly, Cook & Wilson, 1999) (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). At the same time many have held to feminist values. While avoiding a ‘militant image’ most agencies continue to lobby for meaningful social change which means challenging patriarchal inequality that favors batterers over victims (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
References
Gollnick, D.M. & Chinn, P.C., (2009). Gender and Sexual Orientation. Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society.
Jones, J., (2001). Around the Globe, Women Outlive Men [Electronic version]. Retrieved October 9, 2009. from http://www.prb.org/en/Articles/2001/AroundtheGlobeWomenOutliveMen.aspx
Renzetti, C. M. & Bergen, R.K., (2005). Introduction: The Emergence of Violence Against Women as a Social Problem. Violence Against Women. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Social scientists have been documenting, what was once known as “wife abuse,” for centuries but violence against women was not recognized as a social issue until the 1970s. The women’s movement of the late 1960s and 1970s played a major role in raising awareness about this social ill and feminists were at the forefront of the struggle to expose violence against women for what it really is. Not a private matter affecting a few dysfunctional families or, where sexual assault is concerned, a crime committed by mentally ill men, provoked by the seductively dressed women that lead them on, and then reneged on what was originally consensual. But rather, the manifestation of a male dominated, sexist society (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
In leading the movement feminists organized ‘speak-outs’ where victims could discuss their abuse openly, established crisis lines for counseling and support and provided shelters for families transitioning out of their circumstances. In the early 1970s, “…Feminist social scientists started collecting data about partner violence and sexual assault and reframing research questions from, “What’s wrong with women who get raped or abused?” and “What’s wrong with men that abuse or kill the women they claim they love?” to “How do our society’s gender norms contribute to the high rate of violence against women?” and “Does the differential power that males and females have in our society contribute to the problem of domestic violence against women (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005)?”
Violence against women is now a major subfield of social science research and the most influential research in this subfield is published in Social Problems , the journal of the Society for the Study of Social Problems which covers sexual assault, wife abuse, sexual harassment, stalking, as well as institutional and feminist responses to violence against women (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). This critical body of literature serves as the foundation for researchers to build on. The most common thread amongst the research cited in these articles is challenging "taken-for-granted knowledge", authors change the research lens and look at an issue in a new way, discrediting assumptions that their research exposed as myths (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005, p. 3). "Social Problems provides a lens through which we can analyze, question and dialogue about these critical issues” (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005, p. 10).
Myth: “Irrational, psychopathic men rape to satisfy their sexual appetite.”
54% of violence against women is perpetrated by someone they know (intimate partner, friend or acquaintance) but in most cases the violence is committed by an intimate partner (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
The men that refuse to take responsibility for their actions and the family members, friends and counselors that enable them, cite the following reasons for their violent behavior:
· Under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
· Stress causes them to lose control
· Partner provoked behavior
· Grew up in an abusive household
· Victim of physical abuse
· Suffering from mental illness
(Renzetti & Bergen, 2005)
Research by Diana Scully and Joseph Marolla questioned the popular idea that rape is “ a non-utilitarian act committed by a few ‘sick men.’ Their findings reveal a number of motivations but all rapists interviewed shared a sense of entitlement to the women they objectified and enjoyed the dominance they felt over the women they raped (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). Among the complex motivations revealed in their research, from the perspective of the convicted rapists, was the complexity of the motivations for rape which spurred future research into why men rape (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
Myth: “Women are as violent as men are toward their intimate partners”
This idea comes from research showing women as likely and some say slightly more likely to assault an intimate partner than men are (Archer, 2000; Fiebert, 1997; Strauss, 1999) (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). According to Russell Dobash (Dobash & Dobash, 1979), the data used as the basis for this claim raises questions about its validity which makes the case for the assertion that men and women often provide different accounts of their own and their partner's behavior (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
Myth: “Women stay with their batterer because they are economically dependent on them and/or do not have supportive family/friends to which they can turn.”
Research of Donileen Loseke and Spencer Cahill (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005) shows that both men and women have difficulty leaving their partners even if the relationship is nonviolent but not necessarily happy. Separation and divorce is difficult for all parties involved so their research re-labels a battered women’s decision to stay deviant to normal (Renzetti, Bergen, 2005). In addition, they point to overwhelming empirical evidence that the importance of financial stability and a strong support system is as much a motivating factor for leaving as it is for staying (Baker, Cook, and Norris; Bell, 2003; Moe and Bell, 2004) (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). “The significance of this research is that it shifts the perception of battered women from passive victims with no options to social agents cautiously deciding whether staying or leaving is in the best interests their children and themselves. Besides, leaving does not ensure a women’s safety (Davis, Lyon, and MontiCatania, 1998; DeKeseredy, 1997; Fleury, Sullivan, and Bybee, 2000) (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).”
The attention brought to this issue over the past 30 years has influenced local, state and federal policy. Crisis centers that began in the 1970s through grassroots efforts of these women have grown to over 1200 with a wide range of services including legal, medical and counseling and educational outreach. Many studies by feminist social scientists documenting the depth and breadth of this social ill helped pave the way for passing the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and the reauthorizing it in 2000, which doubled funding for prevention and intervention initiatives (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
There are different schools of thought with regard to how we can end men’s violence against women. One is that a social problem needs a social solution by eradicating sexism and leveling the playing field between the men and women of our male dominated society. Another is that these "sick" men need mental/emotional healing through counseling and/or psychotherapy in order to change their behavior. A fact that cannot be ignored is that these so-called "sick" men have no problem controlling their behavior when it comes to dealing with their boss or other people in positions of authority so, clearly, there is a sense of entitlement that justifies violent behavior toward their intimate partner that would not otherwise be acceptable.
It's hard to ignore the catastrophic affect that violence against women has on our families and society at large and it is also important to acknowledge and address how men's health and well being is impacted. The stress of conforming to society’s definition of manhood, including the lifelong practice of suppressing certain emotions, must wreak havoc on them mentally and physically (the depression and low self-esteem cited in Gollnick & Chinn, 2009 are also contributing factors). It's no wonder that, around the world, women outlive men (Jones, 2001).
Kathleen Tierney's (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005) documentation of the first 10 years of the battered women’s movement, using social movements analysis, shows that, unlike other social movements, this movement did not gain momentum because of public outrage which was, at best, indifferent to the problem. Instead, the strong base and supporters recognized how providing resources to the movement would benefit them (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). Tierney is concerned that yielding to pressure from funders may make the movement more mainstream and service oriented; less political and less radical. Sure enough, there is evidence that some agencies involved in the movement have toned down their feminist rhetoric to make their message more palatable to funders and some have compromised the feminist principles by adopting more bureaucratic policies (Donnelly, Cook & Wilson, 1999) (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005). At the same time many have held to feminist values. While avoiding a ‘militant image’ most agencies continue to lobby for meaningful social change which means challenging patriarchal inequality that favors batterers over victims (Renzetti & Bergen, 2005).
References
Gollnick, D.M. & Chinn, P.C., (2009). Gender and Sexual Orientation. Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society.
Jones, J., (2001). Around the Globe, Women Outlive Men [Electronic version]. Retrieved October 9, 2009. from http://www.prb.org/en/Articles/2001/AroundtheGlobeWomenOutliveMen.aspx
Renzetti, C. M. & Bergen, R.K., (2005). Introduction: The Emergence of Violence Against Women as a Social Problem. Violence Against Women. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Studying Religion in the Classroom
Studying Religion in the Classroom
Rachel Shaw
10/14/09
EDGE 6101
Both the historical and current violent strife over religious disputes necessitate a change in the ways in which religion is discussed in classrooms. Not only must productive talk about different religions take place, but it must cover all religions in an equitable way. For this type of discourse to make an impact, it must occur in several different settings. Teachers must find a way to incorporate the study of religion into their secular and parochial classrooms. Educators must not only work toward respect in classrooms, but they should also strive to reach students’ families through inviting them to the school to share religious cultures and traditions. What is perhaps most imperative, however, is that public and parochial school teachers must reach out to religious leaders to ensure that this new philosophy of teaching religion is taking hold at home and at houses of worship. Without this final step, it is unlikely that any significant change will take hold.
While public and parochial schools each encounter their own struggles when attempting to teach religion from a multicultural standpoint, all schools must work towards exposing students to all religions. Public school teachers must find ways to teach about different religions in a secular manner. Since religion is so important to many people, there are some important guidelines to follow when teaching about religions. The school should study the beliefs of all people, but should not teach a student what to believe. The school should instruct students on religions but not indoctrinate them. The school should strive for student awareness of different religions, but not press them to accept any religion (Gollnick & Chinn, p.280 - 281). When religions are taught not as a belief system to be inherited but as a tradition to be studied, they no longer conflict with the separation of church and state. We know from numerous college courses that religion can be taught from an objective standpoint.
In parochial schools, the situation is different. Obviously, one component of a religious school is to teach a particular belief as one to be followed and observed. However, this does not mean that other religions cannot and should not be studied, from the elementary level up. It is my experience that when one religion is taught to the exclusion of all others, troubling misconceptions can arise. In the school where I teach, a Jewish day school, I heard some of my second graders talking about how all Christians were bad people. This was extremely troubling to me since it was obvious that due to the lack of information provided by our school, the students had been left to form their own ideas. Oftentimes, children and adults cannot fully understand another person’s views unless they have walked in their shoes. Attempting to see the world through someone else’s eyes is an acquired skill, not something we should be able to pick up on our own (Lewison, Leland, & Harste, p.99).
For an idea to really take hold in a student’s mind, it is essential for that idea to also have a place in the students’ home. If a teacher espouses one idea and the parents reject that idea, the student is much more likely to be confused and conflicted instead of excited about a new perspective or piece of knowledge. Teachers should of course involve parents as much as possible in the learning process. At the beginning of the year, the teacher should make it clear to the parents that the classroom will take a multicultural approach to religion, discussing the facts and beliefs of various faiths without favoring any. Educators might open the discourse by asking families about their religious traditions and beliefs. Understanding the importance of religion to students and their families is an advantage in developing effective teaching strategies for individual students (Gollnick & Chinn, 2009). When explaining a multicultural curriculum, teachers should emphasize the benefit that such a curriculum has for the children – such as, when we study your religion, the other children will know more about the important beliefs in your life.
Involving religious leaders in a multicultural approach to religion would certainly help families to believe that you have the students’ interests in mind when teaching about a wide variety of religious views. Churches and other faith-based organizations have historically served as the nucleus of urban entrepreneurial ventures, political and social activism, and educational reform (Kluth, Straut, & Birken, p.60). Many churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship have partnerships across religious lines. If these institutions can work with one another, surely we can use their help to teach about different religions in the classroom. Who better to inform educators about the similarities and differences between religions than the religious leaders themselves? You could weave in these members of the community during various social studies units on community and social action. During a study of careers, you could have rabbis and priests come and talk to students about what they do, alongside doctors, electricians, and accountants. There are many ways to involve clergy in your classroom that subtly encourage students to broaden their understanding of previously unknown faiths.
Such a study would have distinct benefits for the individual, community, and the world. By learning in depth about other religions, individual students would confront their own prejudices and stereotypes and have a greater understanding of the importance of religion across cultures. Students would bring this knowledge out into their communities, encouraging different religious institutions to work together on both religious and secular projects. Over time, by forming bonds based on mutual understanding and respect for differences, religious groups across the globe would increasingly work together to create a more peaceful, cooperative society.
Gollnick, D., & C., P. (2008). Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Kluth, P., M., D., & Biklen, D. (2003). Access to Academics for All Students. Hillsdale: L. Erlbaum Associates.
Lewison, M., Leland, C., & Harste, J. (2008). Creating Critical Classrooms. Hillsdale: L. Erlbaum Associates.
Rachel Shaw
10/14/09
EDGE 6101
Both the historical and current violent strife over religious disputes necessitate a change in the ways in which religion is discussed in classrooms. Not only must productive talk about different religions take place, but it must cover all religions in an equitable way. For this type of discourse to make an impact, it must occur in several different settings. Teachers must find a way to incorporate the study of religion into their secular and parochial classrooms. Educators must not only work toward respect in classrooms, but they should also strive to reach students’ families through inviting them to the school to share religious cultures and traditions. What is perhaps most imperative, however, is that public and parochial school teachers must reach out to religious leaders to ensure that this new philosophy of teaching religion is taking hold at home and at houses of worship. Without this final step, it is unlikely that any significant change will take hold.
While public and parochial schools each encounter their own struggles when attempting to teach religion from a multicultural standpoint, all schools must work towards exposing students to all religions. Public school teachers must find ways to teach about different religions in a secular manner. Since religion is so important to many people, there are some important guidelines to follow when teaching about religions. The school should study the beliefs of all people, but should not teach a student what to believe. The school should instruct students on religions but not indoctrinate them. The school should strive for student awareness of different religions, but not press them to accept any religion (Gollnick & Chinn, p.280 - 281). When religions are taught not as a belief system to be inherited but as a tradition to be studied, they no longer conflict with the separation of church and state. We know from numerous college courses that religion can be taught from an objective standpoint.
In parochial schools, the situation is different. Obviously, one component of a religious school is to teach a particular belief as one to be followed and observed. However, this does not mean that other religions cannot and should not be studied, from the elementary level up. It is my experience that when one religion is taught to the exclusion of all others, troubling misconceptions can arise. In the school where I teach, a Jewish day school, I heard some of my second graders talking about how all Christians were bad people. This was extremely troubling to me since it was obvious that due to the lack of information provided by our school, the students had been left to form their own ideas. Oftentimes, children and adults cannot fully understand another person’s views unless they have walked in their shoes. Attempting to see the world through someone else’s eyes is an acquired skill, not something we should be able to pick up on our own (Lewison, Leland, & Harste, p.99).
For an idea to really take hold in a student’s mind, it is essential for that idea to also have a place in the students’ home. If a teacher espouses one idea and the parents reject that idea, the student is much more likely to be confused and conflicted instead of excited about a new perspective or piece of knowledge. Teachers should of course involve parents as much as possible in the learning process. At the beginning of the year, the teacher should make it clear to the parents that the classroom will take a multicultural approach to religion, discussing the facts and beliefs of various faiths without favoring any. Educators might open the discourse by asking families about their religious traditions and beliefs. Understanding the importance of religion to students and their families is an advantage in developing effective teaching strategies for individual students (Gollnick & Chinn, 2009). When explaining a multicultural curriculum, teachers should emphasize the benefit that such a curriculum has for the children – such as, when we study your religion, the other children will know more about the important beliefs in your life.
Involving religious leaders in a multicultural approach to religion would certainly help families to believe that you have the students’ interests in mind when teaching about a wide variety of religious views. Churches and other faith-based organizations have historically served as the nucleus of urban entrepreneurial ventures, political and social activism, and educational reform (Kluth, Straut, & Birken, p.60). Many churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship have partnerships across religious lines. If these institutions can work with one another, surely we can use their help to teach about different religions in the classroom. Who better to inform educators about the similarities and differences between religions than the religious leaders themselves? You could weave in these members of the community during various social studies units on community and social action. During a study of careers, you could have rabbis and priests come and talk to students about what they do, alongside doctors, electricians, and accountants. There are many ways to involve clergy in your classroom that subtly encourage students to broaden their understanding of previously unknown faiths.
Such a study would have distinct benefits for the individual, community, and the world. By learning in depth about other religions, individual students would confront their own prejudices and stereotypes and have a greater understanding of the importance of religion across cultures. Students would bring this knowledge out into their communities, encouraging different religious institutions to work together on both religious and secular projects. Over time, by forming bonds based on mutual understanding and respect for differences, religious groups across the globe would increasingly work together to create a more peaceful, cooperative society.
Gollnick, D., & C., P. (2008). Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Kluth, P., M., D., & Biklen, D. (2003). Access to Academics for All Students. Hillsdale: L. Erlbaum Associates.
Lewison, M., Leland, C., & Harste, J. (2008). Creating Critical Classrooms. Hillsdale: L. Erlbaum Associates.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Critical Project #4: Need for Inclusion Classrooms to Increase Social Acceptance of Students with Special Needs
By Andrea Natoli
Throughout the United States, there are growing numbers of students who are being classified with special needs. Students with special needs are labeled and placed in separate classrooms, which leads to alienation and isolation from many of their peers. There is a stigma against these students by some of their peers and even some adults. However, legislation is pushing for more inclusion classrooms and in schools in order to provide students with a social and academic environment that meets their needs. This way, students will become more accepted in mainstream society.
One controversial topic concerning exceptional education is the idea of labeling. Labeling students categorizes them into different groups based on their disability or multiple disabilities. The controversy over this issue has taken many sides. Some studies suggest that labeling causes students to be stereotyped into a group and seen in a negative way (Gollnick & Chinn, 2008). Many children who receive special education services are teased or looked down upon by their peers and even other teachers. It is a difficult choice to make, but overall schools have to make the one that best serves the student’s needs. On the other hand, there are those who believe that these classifications allow educators to give the students the support that they need. If students are diagnosed with mental retardation or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, they will be more likely to receive the instruction, accommodations, and modifications necessary for them to succeed. For better or worse, the classification is also necessary in order to receive funding from the government (Gollnick & Chinn, 2008).
In the past, schools worked to mainstream students with disabilities into general education classrooms, whether they were able to learn in that situation or not. Now, more schools are looking to inclusion as a method to socialize and include students with special needs. Unlike mainstreaming, inclusion only places students in general education classrooms and programs if it is determined to be the “least restrictive environment”, according to the Committee on Special Education (Gollnick & Chinn, 2008). Therefore, students are placed into an environment that best meets their needs. Students can be placed in general education settings during some or all periods during the day. In addition, students can receive pull-out or push-in programs in order to provide the most appropriate services.
Often times, students in special education are alienated by their peers and society. Unfortunately, there is frequent discrimination in the classroom, school environment, and other activities (Gollnick & Chinn, 2008). They have difficulty socializing with other students because of the label that is placed on them and the classrooms they are in. Many other students do not understand special education and are hesitant to befriend those in contained classrooms or who receive outside services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language, and/or pull-out or push-in programs. Such classifications and unusual circumstances raise more questions among peers. Students in general education classrooms can tease and even bully students who are in special education programs. Difficulties with socialization are tied to trouble communicating with other students overall, both verbally and nonverbally. It is becoming just as important to focus on socialization as well as academics.
Teachers and families should work hard to help students understand their exceptionality, be it mental retardation, gifted and talented, or a learning disability. The more a student knows and understands, the better they are at reaching their full potential and adapting appropriately (Gollnick & Chinn, 2008). When adults model effective communication, students are more likely to follow appropriately. In addition, the student will be less confused about their exceptionality. Most importantly, the adults should also focus on the abilities of the students, not just the disabilities. Positive feedback and playing to the students strengths will encourage them to learn and pursue higher standards of excellence.
Inclusion classrooms are paving the way for students with special needs to move toward “normalization”. As students are integrated into their class and school communities, they will feel more comfortable in and out of the classroom. As long as the student’s academic needs are also met, the student should be socializing and included in as many activities and subjects as possible. Also, inclusion will show students with special needs in a more positive light for both their peers and teachers. Unfortunately, stereotyping students with exceptionalities exists because of labeling and generalization. If students are seen as individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses, we can become more effective teachers and create a more comfortable environment for all to learn and receive the acceptance they rightly deserve.
References
Gollnick, D. M. & Chinn, P. C. (2008). Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society with MyEducationLab (8th Edition) (MyEducationLab Series). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
By Andrea Natoli
Throughout the United States, there are growing numbers of students who are being classified with special needs. Students with special needs are labeled and placed in separate classrooms, which leads to alienation and isolation from many of their peers. There is a stigma against these students by some of their peers and even some adults. However, legislation is pushing for more inclusion classrooms and in schools in order to provide students with a social and academic environment that meets their needs. This way, students will become more accepted in mainstream society.
One controversial topic concerning exceptional education is the idea of labeling. Labeling students categorizes them into different groups based on their disability or multiple disabilities. The controversy over this issue has taken many sides. Some studies suggest that labeling causes students to be stereotyped into a group and seen in a negative way (Gollnick & Chinn, 2008). Many children who receive special education services are teased or looked down upon by their peers and even other teachers. It is a difficult choice to make, but overall schools have to make the one that best serves the student’s needs. On the other hand, there are those who believe that these classifications allow educators to give the students the support that they need. If students are diagnosed with mental retardation or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, they will be more likely to receive the instruction, accommodations, and modifications necessary for them to succeed. For better or worse, the classification is also necessary in order to receive funding from the government (Gollnick & Chinn, 2008).
In the past, schools worked to mainstream students with disabilities into general education classrooms, whether they were able to learn in that situation or not. Now, more schools are looking to inclusion as a method to socialize and include students with special needs. Unlike mainstreaming, inclusion only places students in general education classrooms and programs if it is determined to be the “least restrictive environment”, according to the Committee on Special Education (Gollnick & Chinn, 2008). Therefore, students are placed into an environment that best meets their needs. Students can be placed in general education settings during some or all periods during the day. In addition, students can receive pull-out or push-in programs in order to provide the most appropriate services.
Often times, students in special education are alienated by their peers and society. Unfortunately, there is frequent discrimination in the classroom, school environment, and other activities (Gollnick & Chinn, 2008). They have difficulty socializing with other students because of the label that is placed on them and the classrooms they are in. Many other students do not understand special education and are hesitant to befriend those in contained classrooms or who receive outside services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language, and/or pull-out or push-in programs. Such classifications and unusual circumstances raise more questions among peers. Students in general education classrooms can tease and even bully students who are in special education programs. Difficulties with socialization are tied to trouble communicating with other students overall, both verbally and nonverbally. It is becoming just as important to focus on socialization as well as academics.
Teachers and families should work hard to help students understand their exceptionality, be it mental retardation, gifted and talented, or a learning disability. The more a student knows and understands, the better they are at reaching their full potential and adapting appropriately (Gollnick & Chinn, 2008). When adults model effective communication, students are more likely to follow appropriately. In addition, the student will be less confused about their exceptionality. Most importantly, the adults should also focus on the abilities of the students, not just the disabilities. Positive feedback and playing to the students strengths will encourage them to learn and pursue higher standards of excellence.
Inclusion classrooms are paving the way for students with special needs to move toward “normalization”. As students are integrated into their class and school communities, they will feel more comfortable in and out of the classroom. As long as the student’s academic needs are also met, the student should be socializing and included in as many activities and subjects as possible. Also, inclusion will show students with special needs in a more positive light for both their peers and teachers. Unfortunately, stereotyping students with exceptionalities exists because of labeling and generalization. If students are seen as individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses, we can become more effective teachers and create a more comfortable environment for all to learn and receive the acceptance they rightly deserve.
References
Gollnick, D. M. & Chinn, P. C. (2008). Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society with MyEducationLab (8th Edition) (MyEducationLab Series). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Inclusion
Critical Topic #4
Inclusion
By Alicia Robinson
Inclusion is a learning theory that allows students with disabilities to participate in a classroom with peers, regardless of their exceptional status. With full inclusion, the student receives no additional assistance outside of the general classroom. There have been many implementations of this process, some much more successful than others.
At its best, inclusion provides exceptional, handicapped or disabled students of varying degrees of severity with an opportunity for an equal education. These students are not defined by a disability, but a part of a traditional group. Students are allowed to feel a part of their peer unit, instead of removed from the mainstream to classes that cater to students who are "special needs." However, at it’s worse, students are subjected to ridicule and left behind. Educators may not be sufficiently educated to deal with the greater attention and instructional needs of these students (Gollnick & Chinn, 2009).
It is beneficial for children to be surrounded with diversity. Students who grow up with diversity learn to accept and respect what is different, in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere. In an inclusive classroom, mainstream students are afforded the opportunity to work along with exceptional students. These students learn to accept the disabilities in their reality. The exceptional students feel a part of a group and not labeled by a difference. In a successful inclusion experiment, traditional student and exceptional students work alongside each other, providing support and learning experiences that the teacher could not deliver in curriculum instruction (Hipsky, 2006).
An effective inclusion curriculum requires educators to be trained to deliver efficient instruction to the body of students that includes multiple levels and disabilities. Professional development, smaller class sizes, faculty support, parent communication and developed Individualized Education Programs are elements of a successful system. In order to have the support the program needs to be successful, the funding must be there. Unfortunately, many school systems cannot afford to run inclusion in a way that works best for each exceptional student, mainstream student and teacher (Jones, 2005).
Inclusion teaches any educator to teach to a more diverse population of students. A way in which classrooms can support a more diverse population of students is through literature. Providing students with resources to explore their concerns and questions, or to surround them in diversity, allows the student to feel more comfortable to learn in any environment. Whether or not there are any exceptional students in the classroom, is not always relevant when it comes time for the teacher to examine his or her teaching methods. Not all individuals benefit from the same implementation of a lesson. In order to provide each student with optimal success in any subject matter, a teacher should invoke an active learner by using lectures, discussions, visual and auditory aids, technological resources and peer groups. Inclusion encourages a teacher to reflect on the effectiveness of instruction and to constantly change any given lesson to meet the needs of any individual in a new group of learners (Jones, 2005).
In a perfect society, individuals would joyfully share every learning experience; they would support each other in an optimistic and respectful atmosphere. This may not be a reality. However, delivering equal, effective instruction to all students, including those with disabilities in an integrated classroom can be. Inclusion offers tremendous possibilities with the right implementation and frame. With the right funding, training and experience, educators can help mainstream and exceptional students alike to thrive in the same classroom.
References
Gollnick, D and Chinn, P. (2009). Multicultural education in a pluralistic society. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Hipsky, S. (2006). Practical bibliotherapy strategies for the inclusive elementary classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, Vol. 34, Issue 3, 209-213.
Jones, P. (2005). Inclusion in the early years: Stories of good practice. London: David Fulton Publishers.
Inclusion
By Alicia Robinson
Inclusion is a learning theory that allows students with disabilities to participate in a classroom with peers, regardless of their exceptional status. With full inclusion, the student receives no additional assistance outside of the general classroom. There have been many implementations of this process, some much more successful than others.
At its best, inclusion provides exceptional, handicapped or disabled students of varying degrees of severity with an opportunity for an equal education. These students are not defined by a disability, but a part of a traditional group. Students are allowed to feel a part of their peer unit, instead of removed from the mainstream to classes that cater to students who are "special needs." However, at it’s worse, students are subjected to ridicule and left behind. Educators may not be sufficiently educated to deal with the greater attention and instructional needs of these students (Gollnick & Chinn, 2009).
It is beneficial for children to be surrounded with diversity. Students who grow up with diversity learn to accept and respect what is different, in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere. In an inclusive classroom, mainstream students are afforded the opportunity to work along with exceptional students. These students learn to accept the disabilities in their reality. The exceptional students feel a part of a group and not labeled by a difference. In a successful inclusion experiment, traditional student and exceptional students work alongside each other, providing support and learning experiences that the teacher could not deliver in curriculum instruction (Hipsky, 2006).
An effective inclusion curriculum requires educators to be trained to deliver efficient instruction to the body of students that includes multiple levels and disabilities. Professional development, smaller class sizes, faculty support, parent communication and developed Individualized Education Programs are elements of a successful system. In order to have the support the program needs to be successful, the funding must be there. Unfortunately, many school systems cannot afford to run inclusion in a way that works best for each exceptional student, mainstream student and teacher (Jones, 2005).
Inclusion teaches any educator to teach to a more diverse population of students. A way in which classrooms can support a more diverse population of students is through literature. Providing students with resources to explore their concerns and questions, or to surround them in diversity, allows the student to feel more comfortable to learn in any environment. Whether or not there are any exceptional students in the classroom, is not always relevant when it comes time for the teacher to examine his or her teaching methods. Not all individuals benefit from the same implementation of a lesson. In order to provide each student with optimal success in any subject matter, a teacher should invoke an active learner by using lectures, discussions, visual and auditory aids, technological resources and peer groups. Inclusion encourages a teacher to reflect on the effectiveness of instruction and to constantly change any given lesson to meet the needs of any individual in a new group of learners (Jones, 2005).
In a perfect society, individuals would joyfully share every learning experience; they would support each other in an optimistic and respectful atmosphere. This may not be a reality. However, delivering equal, effective instruction to all students, including those with disabilities in an integrated classroom can be. Inclusion offers tremendous possibilities with the right implementation and frame. With the right funding, training and experience, educators can help mainstream and exceptional students alike to thrive in the same classroom.
References
Gollnick, D and Chinn, P. (2009). Multicultural education in a pluralistic society. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Hipsky, S. (2006). Practical bibliotherapy strategies for the inclusive elementary classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, Vol. 34, Issue 3, 209-213.
Jones, P. (2005). Inclusion in the early years: Stories of good practice. London: David Fulton Publishers.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Dynamic Diversity in the Workplace website
Click here to access
Dynamic Diversity in the Workplace
Your resource for building and strengthening diverse work teams.
Dynamic Diversity in the Workplace
Your resource for building and strengthening diverse work teams.
***New posting***
Maximize Business Results with Workplace Diversity
Maximize Business Results with Workplace Diversity
Topics include: age, beliefs, communication, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), gender, training plan for Dynamic Diversity in the Workplace, and other training resources.
Explore diversity resources and share your thoughts and tips by posting a comment -- thank you!
Childhood Obesity
Childhood Obesity
By: Pampalone, Daniela
Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects both children and adolescents. As educators, we need to promote the health and the well being of our students so they can become healthy adults. In order to prevent childhood obesity in school, we should pay close attention to the questions that will be addressed in this essay. Why are more and more students being diagnosed with obesity today? It is evident that the frequency of obesity has increased for children and adults. This is especially true for children. Poor health choices in eating may lead to overwhelming influence on a child’s education and future.
According to Gollnick and Chinn (2009), “the rates of obesity have increased from ages 12 through 19 from 5 to 17%” (p.348). Unhealthy eating habits as a child can cause harmful effects to the body. It is likely that adolescents who are obese have more of a chance of becoming adults that are obese or overweight. After looking into the issues, Levine and Aratani (from the Providence Journal) (2008) stated how physicians diagnose an increasing amount of elementary school students with health issues. These health problems include: “high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and joint conditions”(p.3).
What are the additional consequences of overweight students in school? Some students are faced with discrimination and prejudice. In addition, they are ridiculed by their peers and educators because of their weight. Such discrimination may lead to social rejection from their classmates. This impact may have a devastating effect on the child through adulthood. The effects of obesity play an integral part in the child’s well being. Glavin (2009) (from Kids Health) reported that the obese child is likely to experience bullying and teasing by classmates that can result in low self-esteem. They are also prone to depression and even substance abuse. What are the causes of childhood obesity? There is a plethora of causes that contribute to the problem. Gollnick and Chinn (2009) indicate that food and marketing, parental influences on eating behavior; genetics, dietary intake and lack of physical activity and exercise are contributing factors. Glavin (2009) stated that even though some schools conduct physical education classes, many schools are eliminating them and cutting down the time for vigorous activity. As a result, many children do not get an adequate amount of physical activity during the day.According to Kids Health magazine (Glavin, 2009), many students are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the computer, TV and playing video games. Up to 80% of obese children become obese adults. Treating a child with obesity is three times more costly then treating an average child.
Additionally, in today’s society, fast food chains have become an integral part of everyday life. In my experience, I have noticed that many parents work late and do not have time to cook homemade food for their families. Schedules are hectic and much of what we eat is quick and easy. As a result, children often eat a quick dinner at Wendy’s, McDonald’s, or Taco Bell. Even though these foods are tasty, they are high in saturated fats often leading to an unhealthy diet. A proposed solution to this dilemma would be to eliminate junk food from school vending machines. Gollnick and Chinn (2009) reported that The Institute of Medicine mandated that foods and snacks filled with sugar be removed from K-12 schools. As a result, schools currently offer foods that are healthy. These foods include fresh fruit and vegetables and low fat chips. Vending machines now hold nutritious snacks for students to select from. Gollnick and Chinn stated that "even though the sale of foods in vending machines gives the schools revenue, they should not place profit over the health of their students" (p.349).
Further, as educators we must teach our students the benefits of eating healthy through implementing lessons about eating healthy within the classroom. We need to inform parents of the dangers of an unhealthy diet and inform them regarding the effects it may have on their children’s health.
In essence, as educators we should not reward students for good behavior with sweets. Additionally, we should model healthy eating habits and inform our students about the food pyramid. Encouraging student to stay active by joining extracurricular activities such as sports teams or dance will be beneficial to their health. Advising parents, to cut down TV, video game usage and computers time for students will enable them to maintain an active lifestyle.
Reference:
Gollnick, D.M., & Chinn, P.C. (2009). Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Glavin, M.L., (2009, February). Overweight and Obesity. Kids Health. Retrieved October 12, 2009, from:http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/overweight_obesity.html.
Aratani, L., & Levine, S. (2008, May 25) The Cost of Childhood Obesity. The Providence Journal.Retrieved October 12, 2009 from:http://www.projo.com/education/content/childhood_obesity2_05-25-08_V1A6FUR_v14.244e894.html.
Inequity in Funding of Schools
Inequity in funding education in public schools is a systemic issue that has plagued school systems for decades. It is an issue that requires action and understanding. The disparities in school funding directly correlate to the achievement gap found between high-poverty students and low-poverty students. The purpose of this podcast is to continue the conversation on equity in education and bring to light how the funding gap in schools contributes to the inequities and disparities in education.
References
Education Trust. (2005, Winter). Funding Gap 2005: Low income and minority students
shortchanged by most states. Washington, DC
New America Foundation. (2009, September). No Child Left Behind Act: Title I school
funding equity factor. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from
http://febp.newamerica.net/background-analysis/no-child-left-behind-act-title-i-
References
Education Trust. (2005, Winter). Funding Gap 2005: Low income and minority students
shortchanged by most states. Washington, DC
New America Foundation. (2009, September). No Child Left Behind Act: Title I school
funding equity factor. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from
http://febp.newamerica.net/background-analysis/no-child-left-behind-act-title-i-
Transformative Learning
Transformative learning is the process bringing about change in a frame of reference. Adults bring with them a body of experience that includes associations, concepts, values, feelings, and conditioned responses. These are the frames of reference that define their life. According to Mezirow (1991), frames of reference are the structures of assumptions through which we understand our experiences.
“Transformative Learning Theory” states that the individual is freed from the “libidinal, epistemic, institutional, or environmental forces that limit our options and our rational control over our lives but have been taken for granted or seen as beyond human control” (Mezirow, 1991, p. 87). According to Cranton (1994), the most important aspect of transformative learning is the empowerment of the individual.
Mezirow believes that adults can be "transformed" through a process involving a "disorientating dilemma" followed by critical reflection and new interpretations of experience. According to King and Wang (2007), transformational learning is a complex learning experience that incorporates influences, considerations, and meaning for many areas of adult learners’ lives including their personal, professional, social, educational, and work contexts.
Transformational learning in multicultural education and related issues can be accomplished by creating lesson plans that tap into the experiences and culture of the students using collaborative projects that are authentic and involve critical thinking (problem-solving) skills. The lesson plans would have to be created together with the students with desired outcomes also being developed by the students. Reflection on the work being performed is essential for transformative learning to take place.
Transformative learning is the foundational theory of adult education. With this concept in mind, it is obvious that the goal of adult education is implied by the nature of adult learning and communication. The goal is to help the individual become a more autonomous thinker by learning to understand his or her own values, meanings, and purposes rather than to reject those of others. According to Mezirow (1991), this goal cannot be taken for granted; educational interventions are necessary to ensure that the learner acquires the understandings, skills, and dispositions essential for transformative learning. Critical reflection, awareness of frames of reference, and participation in discourse become significant elements in defining learning needs, setting educational objectives, designing materials and methods, and in evaluating learner growth using nontraditional methods such as portfolios.
References:
Cranton, P. (1994). Understanding and Promoting Transformative Learning: A Guide for Educators of Adults. Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from
http://search.ebscohost.com.avoserv.library.fordham.edu
Imel, S., & ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, C. (1998). Transformative Learning in Adulthood. ERIC Digest No. 200. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from http://search.ebscohost.com.avoserv.library.fordham.edu
King, K. P. & Wang, V. (Eds.). (2007). Comparative adult education around the globe. Hangzhou, PR China: Zhejiang University Press.
Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning. Retrieved October 12,2009 from http://search.ebscohost.com.avoserv.library.fordham.edu
Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative Learning: Theory to Practice. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, (74), 5-12. Retrieved October 12,2009 from http://search.ebscohost.com.avoserv.library.fordham.edu
Click on the link below to hear a podcast titled "Trasnformaive Learning Practicum".
http://multiculturalismeducation.mypodcast.com/
“Transformative Learning Theory” states that the individual is freed from the “libidinal, epistemic, institutional, or environmental forces that limit our options and our rational control over our lives but have been taken for granted or seen as beyond human control” (Mezirow, 1991, p. 87). According to Cranton (1994), the most important aspect of transformative learning is the empowerment of the individual.
Mezirow believes that adults can be "transformed" through a process involving a "disorientating dilemma" followed by critical reflection and new interpretations of experience. According to King and Wang (2007), transformational learning is a complex learning experience that incorporates influences, considerations, and meaning for many areas of adult learners’ lives including their personal, professional, social, educational, and work contexts.
Transformational learning in multicultural education and related issues can be accomplished by creating lesson plans that tap into the experiences and culture of the students using collaborative projects that are authentic and involve critical thinking (problem-solving) skills. The lesson plans would have to be created together with the students with desired outcomes also being developed by the students. Reflection on the work being performed is essential for transformative learning to take place.
Transformative learning is the foundational theory of adult education. With this concept in mind, it is obvious that the goal of adult education is implied by the nature of adult learning and communication. The goal is to help the individual become a more autonomous thinker by learning to understand his or her own values, meanings, and purposes rather than to reject those of others. According to Mezirow (1991), this goal cannot be taken for granted; educational interventions are necessary to ensure that the learner acquires the understandings, skills, and dispositions essential for transformative learning. Critical reflection, awareness of frames of reference, and participation in discourse become significant elements in defining learning needs, setting educational objectives, designing materials and methods, and in evaluating learner growth using nontraditional methods such as portfolios.
References:
Cranton, P. (1994). Understanding and Promoting Transformative Learning: A Guide for Educators of Adults. Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from
http://search.ebscohost.com.avoserv.library.fordham.edu
Imel, S., & ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, C. (1998). Transformative Learning in Adulthood. ERIC Digest No. 200. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from http://search.ebscohost.com.avoserv.library.fordham.edu
King, K. P. & Wang, V. (Eds.). (2007). Comparative adult education around the globe. Hangzhou, PR China: Zhejiang University Press.
Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning. Retrieved October 12,2009 from http://search.ebscohost.com.avoserv.library.fordham.edu
Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative Learning: Theory to Practice. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, (74), 5-12. Retrieved October 12,2009 from http://search.ebscohost.com.avoserv.library.fordham.edu
Click on the link below to hear a podcast titled "Trasnformaive Learning Practicum".
http://multiculturalismeducation.mypodcast.com/
Critical Topic #4
Critical Topic # 4
Understanding Your Student as well as
Incorporating Student’s Awareness into the Curriculum
By Kathleen Hagerty
As an educator, it is important to recognize that there are many different factors involved in being an effective facilitator of learning. Various elements involve being an educator that works with instructing in the multicultural setting. It is important as an educator to fully understand all students and where they come from. As a student, a child is able to identify the difference between the different ethnicities within their class. Gollnick and Chinn (2009) stated that between the ages of 4 and 5, a significant number of children are able to make ethnic identifications (p. 343). This is important to notice as an educator because that means that children are able to recognize that children are different within the classroom. It is important to be able to relate to their student’s self identification as well as their ethnical awareness.
As a child grows within the classroom, an educator sees how the ethical awareness could either develop into a positive awareness or into a negative influence of prejudice within the classroom. Gollnick and Chinn (2009) discussed how prejudice begins at a younger age than many assume. “Some children of color demonstrate an early preference for whites, and some white children indicate a preference for their minority group peers” (Aboud, 1988). These cultural preferences are not developed by the children individual or introduced by themselves. Unfortunately, the idea of race differentiation occurs through the ideas and concepts affiliated with their parents and adults around them.
Even though it is assumed that children do not develop the prejudice on their own it is not just parent’s statements that influence their choice and decisions on whether or not a child will become prejudice towards other races or groups or have a desire to learn towards a certain ethnic group. Besides being influenced by parents, Gollnick and Chinn (2009) stated that one proposed theory of prejudice in children is the social reflection theory (p. 343). This social reflection theory relates to how children are influenced by society. Another theory that is mentioned by Gollnick and Chinn (2009) is that children are influenced heavily by the media as well. The media encourages stereotyping as well as incorporating displaying prejudice viewpoints to openly see via television, newspapers, and the news. Gollnick and Chinn (2009) showed how both of the influences of parents and the media encourage students to have negative viewpoints of different ethnical groups (p. 344).
Through understanding both of these influences of children in regards to children, an educator needs to make a connection with children in regards to educating them on prejudice. It is important that an educator begins this instruction within the early childhood setting. This is important because at this time in a child’s life an educator will be able to focus on encouraging students to work on being less prejudice. “Because prejudice appears to be somewhat prevalent among young children (ages 4 to 7) and because children are cognitively capable of becoming less prejudiced, it would appear to be very appropriate to develop activities that have been shown to reduce prejudice during the early years of elementary school” (Gollnick and Chinn, 2009, p. 345). An educator developing different activities and instruction relating to the prejudices will encourage an adequate understanding between educator and student in regards to understanding their views and opinions of others within the world. It will allow the student to make connections and identify the prejudices in the world before it has developed into a negative aspect and view within the classroom setting and society.
References
Gollnick, D. M. & Chinn, P. C. (2009). Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society (8th Edition) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
Understanding Your Student as well as
Incorporating Student’s Awareness into the Curriculum
By Kathleen Hagerty
As an educator, it is important to recognize that there are many different factors involved in being an effective facilitator of learning. Various elements involve being an educator that works with instructing in the multicultural setting. It is important as an educator to fully understand all students and where they come from. As a student, a child is able to identify the difference between the different ethnicities within their class. Gollnick and Chinn (2009) stated that between the ages of 4 and 5, a significant number of children are able to make ethnic identifications (p. 343). This is important to notice as an educator because that means that children are able to recognize that children are different within the classroom. It is important to be able to relate to their student’s self identification as well as their ethnical awareness.
As a child grows within the classroom, an educator sees how the ethical awareness could either develop into a positive awareness or into a negative influence of prejudice within the classroom. Gollnick and Chinn (2009) discussed how prejudice begins at a younger age than many assume. “Some children of color demonstrate an early preference for whites, and some white children indicate a preference for their minority group peers” (Aboud, 1988). These cultural preferences are not developed by the children individual or introduced by themselves. Unfortunately, the idea of race differentiation occurs through the ideas and concepts affiliated with their parents and adults around them.
Even though it is assumed that children do not develop the prejudice on their own it is not just parent’s statements that influence their choice and decisions on whether or not a child will become prejudice towards other races or groups or have a desire to learn towards a certain ethnic group. Besides being influenced by parents, Gollnick and Chinn (2009) stated that one proposed theory of prejudice in children is the social reflection theory (p. 343). This social reflection theory relates to how children are influenced by society. Another theory that is mentioned by Gollnick and Chinn (2009) is that children are influenced heavily by the media as well. The media encourages stereotyping as well as incorporating displaying prejudice viewpoints to openly see via television, newspapers, and the news. Gollnick and Chinn (2009) showed how both of the influences of parents and the media encourage students to have negative viewpoints of different ethnical groups (p. 344).
Through understanding both of these influences of children in regards to children, an educator needs to make a connection with children in regards to educating them on prejudice. It is important that an educator begins this instruction within the early childhood setting. This is important because at this time in a child’s life an educator will be able to focus on encouraging students to work on being less prejudice. “Because prejudice appears to be somewhat prevalent among young children (ages 4 to 7) and because children are cognitively capable of becoming less prejudiced, it would appear to be very appropriate to develop activities that have been shown to reduce prejudice during the early years of elementary school” (Gollnick and Chinn, 2009, p. 345). An educator developing different activities and instruction relating to the prejudices will encourage an adequate understanding between educator and student in regards to understanding their views and opinions of others within the world. It will allow the student to make connections and identify the prejudices in the world before it has developed into a negative aspect and view within the classroom setting and society.
References
Gollnick, D. M. & Chinn, P. C. (2009). Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society (8th Edition) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Immigration Policies
Immigration policies in this country and how English Language Learners have a difficult time assimilating to the education system.
By Jennifer Pitt
The first day of school can be a day filled with hopes and fears. Students look forward to meeting new friends, reuniting with old friends, and learning about new things. Yet for a large population this first day of school can be a very stressful and uneasy day. This population is that of the immigrants that have recently come to the United States. Not only are they entering a new school, it is one filled with a strange language and strange rules. It is a completely different experience for them then they are use to. While many students have trouble assimilating into our education system there are new theories and practices being made that not only help students assimilate but also hold on to their heritage.
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) was created in 1952. The bill was called the McCarran-Walter bill. It served the purpose of collecting and codifying many already existing provisions and made the INA. This bill has been around for over 50 years, and has had many amendments made to it as the wave of immigration changed. (US Citizenship and Immigration Services, 2009) For example, the 1990 amendments increased legal immigration from about 500,000 annually to about 700,000 (Pryor, 1992).
In the United States schools have functioned as the primary institution for assimilating immigrants into American culture. It is where the language and values of this country are taught to the young immigrants. Yet no longer do schools focus on total assimilation. There is a strong desire for students to maintain parts of their own culture while also gaining parts of a new culture (Pryor, 1992).
A new theory views this idea as being a ‘Flowerpot’. The “Flowerpot model of America views the melting pot as having been converted into a huge container of fertile soil with roots, shoots, and buds capable of producing a brilliant array of new life” (p. 154, Pryor, 1992). Carolyn Pryor (1992) writes that to accomplish this, schools must be prepared for new croups to move in. This can be done through activities that create acceptance. For example, schools can have students visit schools with different ethnic compositions. Pryor (1992) also states that in order for there to be a new understanding, educators must educate themselves about the needs of immigrant students; “knowledge, enlightenment, and understanding are necessary for new growth” (p. 155).
We must recognize that coming to a new country is a very hard thing to do. Immigrants choose to pack up few belongings and move thousands of miles away from everything they know. They come in search of a better life, and the key to that better life is education. Yet while educators are starting to find ways to help the new become assimilated into a new culture, students are still struggling to do so. Immigrants are one of the leading portion of the population that drop out of school. One reason for this is because they have a hard time becoming a part of the school system. They feel as if they do not belong. That is why we as educators look for ways to help students feel they want to stay in school.
References:
Pryor, C (1992). Integrating Immigrants into American Schools. Social Work in Education; Jul 92, Vol. 14 Issue 3, p153-159, 7p. Retrieved from: ERIC on September 29th, 2009
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Immigration and Nationality Act. Retrieved from: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/? vgnextoid=f3829c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=f3829c 7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD on September 29th, 2009
By Jennifer Pitt
The first day of school can be a day filled with hopes and fears. Students look forward to meeting new friends, reuniting with old friends, and learning about new things. Yet for a large population this first day of school can be a very stressful and uneasy day. This population is that of the immigrants that have recently come to the United States. Not only are they entering a new school, it is one filled with a strange language and strange rules. It is a completely different experience for them then they are use to. While many students have trouble assimilating into our education system there are new theories and practices being made that not only help students assimilate but also hold on to their heritage.
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) was created in 1952. The bill was called the McCarran-Walter bill. It served the purpose of collecting and codifying many already existing provisions and made the INA. This bill has been around for over 50 years, and has had many amendments made to it as the wave of immigration changed. (US Citizenship and Immigration Services, 2009) For example, the 1990 amendments increased legal immigration from about 500,000 annually to about 700,000 (Pryor, 1992).
In the United States schools have functioned as the primary institution for assimilating immigrants into American culture. It is where the language and values of this country are taught to the young immigrants. Yet no longer do schools focus on total assimilation. There is a strong desire for students to maintain parts of their own culture while also gaining parts of a new culture (Pryor, 1992).
A new theory views this idea as being a ‘Flowerpot’. The “Flowerpot model of America views the melting pot as having been converted into a huge container of fertile soil with roots, shoots, and buds capable of producing a brilliant array of new life” (p. 154, Pryor, 1992). Carolyn Pryor (1992) writes that to accomplish this, schools must be prepared for new croups to move in. This can be done through activities that create acceptance. For example, schools can have students visit schools with different ethnic compositions. Pryor (1992) also states that in order for there to be a new understanding, educators must educate themselves about the needs of immigrant students; “knowledge, enlightenment, and understanding are necessary for new growth” (p. 155).
We must recognize that coming to a new country is a very hard thing to do. Immigrants choose to pack up few belongings and move thousands of miles away from everything they know. They come in search of a better life, and the key to that better life is education. Yet while educators are starting to find ways to help the new become assimilated into a new culture, students are still struggling to do so. Immigrants are one of the leading portion of the population that drop out of school. One reason for this is because they have a hard time becoming a part of the school system. They feel as if they do not belong. That is why we as educators look for ways to help students feel they want to stay in school.
References:
Pryor, C (1992). Integrating Immigrants into American Schools. Social Work in Education; Jul 92, Vol. 14 Issue 3, p153-159, 7p. Retrieved from: ERIC on September 29th, 2009
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Immigration and Nationality Act. Retrieved from: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/? vgnextoid=f3829c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=f3829c 7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD on September 29th, 2009
Bilingual Education
Bilingual education is a growing aspect in American education that is becoming more important every day. Gollnick and Chinn discuss language and education in Chapter 6. In most educational settings in America, the most frequently used form of language and communication is Standard English. However, not all students are fluent or actively speaking Standard English at home. There are several students who come from various backgrounds and cultures, who speak different languages at home and with friends. Gollnick and Chinn (2008) also state that language is a “socializing agent” (p.201). Students who share similar languages will tend to connect with each other, while it separates students who do not share similar languages. Languages can also create disconnects in the classroom because students and teachers may not understand each other in the academic setting or even in developing a rapport.
“Official English” is a movement in which supporters believe that English should be the only language taught in the schools and be named as the official language of the United States (p.218). English Only in schools and the United States as a whole is a disconcerting idea. While it is the common language, it also restricts learning for a growing number of people in America (p.219). Pull-out programs and separate classrooms are not the answer to helping these students achieve in school. Instead, we should turn to bilingual education as a means to communicate ideas and questions in the classroom. Bilingualism is a growing concept in education because of the increase of immigration to the United States. More families are coming from countries and continents from around the world.
In my experiences, there are several students in my classroom who speak Spanish at home and English in school. Parents and families speak little or no English at home. Students have difficulty transitioning from one language to the other. I have noticed that students who are bilingual are challenged most by the grammar “rules” of Standard English. They forget linking verbs, like “is”, and often have trouble with their reading comprehension. They work hard and want to achieve, but lack the resources to do so. The rise in these incidences calls for a growing need for bilingual education in all schools and classrooms, with proper staff members who are bilingual themselves.
In a previous class, a group had a presentation about bilingual education. The presenters opened with a biology lesson completely in Spanish. Although I had four years of Spanish in high school, I could not follow along with any amount of competency. I could not understand much of the vocabulary or any of the important points that the “teachers” brought up in the lesson. This exercise really proved the need for administrators and staff to be aware of language, how language is taught, and our students’ backgrounds.
Bilingual education is necessary for students to reach their full potential. The presenters brought up an interesting concept to create classrooms with half English-speaking and half Spanish or other foreign language speaking students. A teacher or co-teachers could teach in both English and the other language. Students who speak foreign languages could practice English, but receive important information and understanding in their own language. In turn, English-speaking students would also receive instruction in their own language and develop a sense of understanding in the other one. While it is not traditional, it allows for students to interact in a diverse environment and hopefully, create a sense of a global community once the language barriers are crossed.
Bilingual education is often pushed aside because of the high costs and lack of trained educators. There are few teachers who are trained in education who are also bilingual and have an understanding of different cultures. Those who are trained are needed throughout the country. There just are not enough of these teachers for every school and student that needs it. In addition, dialects and accents can hinder the ability of teachers to communicate with students who have a differing one (p.206-207). Many students suffer because of their inability to understand the information that is taught and communicate their ideas to the teacher.
Our goal should be to create students who have additive bilingualism versus subtractive bilingualism. We want students to have a higher understanding of both languages, instead of having Standard English replacing the students’ native tongue (206). The only way this is possible is for schools to put in the time and money to provide these resources to our students throughout the country.
References:
Gollnick, D. M. & Chinn, P. C. (2008). Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society with
MyEducationLab (8th Edition) (MyEducationLab Series). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
“Official English” is a movement in which supporters believe that English should be the only language taught in the schools and be named as the official language of the United States (p.218). English Only in schools and the United States as a whole is a disconcerting idea. While it is the common language, it also restricts learning for a growing number of people in America (p.219). Pull-out programs and separate classrooms are not the answer to helping these students achieve in school. Instead, we should turn to bilingual education as a means to communicate ideas and questions in the classroom. Bilingualism is a growing concept in education because of the increase of immigration to the United States. More families are coming from countries and continents from around the world.
In my experiences, there are several students in my classroom who speak Spanish at home and English in school. Parents and families speak little or no English at home. Students have difficulty transitioning from one language to the other. I have noticed that students who are bilingual are challenged most by the grammar “rules” of Standard English. They forget linking verbs, like “is”, and often have trouble with their reading comprehension. They work hard and want to achieve, but lack the resources to do so. The rise in these incidences calls for a growing need for bilingual education in all schools and classrooms, with proper staff members who are bilingual themselves.
In a previous class, a group had a presentation about bilingual education. The presenters opened with a biology lesson completely in Spanish. Although I had four years of Spanish in high school, I could not follow along with any amount of competency. I could not understand much of the vocabulary or any of the important points that the “teachers” brought up in the lesson. This exercise really proved the need for administrators and staff to be aware of language, how language is taught, and our students’ backgrounds.
Bilingual education is necessary for students to reach their full potential. The presenters brought up an interesting concept to create classrooms with half English-speaking and half Spanish or other foreign language speaking students. A teacher or co-teachers could teach in both English and the other language. Students who speak foreign languages could practice English, but receive important information and understanding in their own language. In turn, English-speaking students would also receive instruction in their own language and develop a sense of understanding in the other one. While it is not traditional, it allows for students to interact in a diverse environment and hopefully, create a sense of a global community once the language barriers are crossed.
Bilingual education is often pushed aside because of the high costs and lack of trained educators. There are few teachers who are trained in education who are also bilingual and have an understanding of different cultures. Those who are trained are needed throughout the country. There just are not enough of these teachers for every school and student that needs it. In addition, dialects and accents can hinder the ability of teachers to communicate with students who have a differing one (p.206-207). Many students suffer because of their inability to understand the information that is taught and communicate their ideas to the teacher.
Our goal should be to create students who have additive bilingualism versus subtractive bilingualism. We want students to have a higher understanding of both languages, instead of having Standard English replacing the students’ native tongue (206). The only way this is possible is for schools to put in the time and money to provide these resources to our students throughout the country.
References:
Gollnick, D. M. & Chinn, P. C. (2008). Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society with
MyEducationLab (8th Edition) (MyEducationLab Series). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Multiculturalism, Faculty and Administration
In higher education, administrators seek to develop students as much as possible. As such, we move to incorporate many different facets into educational development. Multiculturalism is an important component in student development, but it is equally important to incorporate multicultural education and development for professors and administrators. As such, institutions must encourage professors and administrators to acknowledge and address their own prejudices to properly educate students.
Professors and administrators in higher education are at a disadvantage with their students; they engage them for only short amounts of time and, many times, cannot identify with their students (Gollnick and Chinn, 2009). It is for this reason that professors and administrators need to understand the culture and backgrounds of their students, particularly on diverse campuses. By exposing professors and administrators to multicultural training and development, they will be better able to understand their students’ points of view. Professors and administrators with diversity and multicultural training can also better prepare their lesson plans to help incorporate better developed lesson plans. By initiating multicultural development for professors and administrators, a college or university ensure another venue for multiculturalism to enter the classroom. Giving professors and administrators the multicultural tools to create lesson plans and relate to their students will incorporate diversity in the classroom.
Providing additional seminars and sustained dialogues for professors and administrators after initial training will help develop supporting dispositions for professors and administrators (Gollnick and Chinn, 2009). It is important to gage and impact the values and professional ethics of professors and administrators. Through faculty-administrative sustained dialogue series, the educator community can come together to discuss and develop. To further engage faculty and administration, a committee of colleagues can be formed to develop dialogue discussions. These dialogues and reflections are important components of training and development for faculty and administration because it helps to refresh professors and administrators, brings both groups to a similar forum, and helps spread and understanding of culture, fairness, honest, and social justice. Additionally, sustained dialogues will help encourage critical thinking of social justice issues within the classroom and advising sessions.
Gollnick and Chinn also cite some recommendations for educators who are working with teens/ young adults that are critical to helping educators remain fair and just in the classroom; particularly notable are the recommendations of pushing students to do their best- equally, grading fairly, caring about what is going on with them, and not betraying their confidence (394-395). Professors and administrators who are well versed and trained in multiculturalism should easily adapt to these recommendations. We need to address these needs as educators and leaders to provide equality and excellent learning environments for our students.
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