This blog post should have been posted last week, but I was having a week of doing around the house projects that never got done during the school year. Also, I really wanted to read this book with a fine tooth comb because everyone that I know in education that has read it said that it would change my feelings on how we "do business". The book is Inevitable: Mass Customized Learning - Learning in the Age of Empowerment by Charles Schwahn and Beatrice McGrarvey and it did truly make me take a closer look at how we do business in education.
Right off the bat, the book opens with a chapter dedicated to what we are doing in education that no longer makes sense. As teachers, these are things that we have been basically conditioned to do and not question. As the old adage says, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, not might be the time to fix it because after reading this book, it seems it actually might be broke!
There were a couple items in the first chapter that really stood out to me the most.
1. Simultaneously Teaching 25 Unique Learners:
"Expecting teachers to meet the diverse learning needs of twenty-five children simultaneously used to make sense. It doesn't any more.
"The policies and practices of public schools are bureaucratic. An objective analysis of the structure of public schools clearly shows that they are designed for administrative convenience. Personalizing learning begins only after a teacher is assigned a group of students...and a 1/25 teacher/student ratio does not make personalization and individualization of learning doable." (Schwan and McGarvey 10)
I think as a teacher, you become used these days to having over sized and congested classrooms. Also, as a teacher, personaly, I know when I am not reaching or touching the students I want to touch. Smaller class size gives teachers the opportunity to teach the students on a more individual basis making sure that each student receives the attention that they need. Also, with a smaller class size, one is able to foster better group discussion and the feeling that each student is a significant part of the class.
2. Averaging Grades
"Average grades used to make sense. (But did it ever?) Well even if it did, it doesn't any more!"
"If we have to provide a rational for why this outdated practice no longer makes sense, we are in trouble. But just to be safe, we will provide a brief explanation of our position. Grades are not a valid assessment of learning. Learning, to be validated, must be demonstrated. If you can demonstrate what you have learned, then you have learned. If you can't, you're not finished yet." (Schwan and McGarvey 10)
This is something so simple! I love the concept of grades not being a valid assessment of learning. We put so much emphasis on getting good grades or telling kids to 'get your grades up.' What is the point? We are only stressing how important numbers are instead of the actual practice. What would a school look like if you had to put what you learned into practice....I think this is something that the North Haven School has been doing and fairly successfully.
3. College Prep Curriculum
"Justifying a curriculum based upon getting students "ready for more school" used to make sense. It doesn't any more!
"Public schools are, or should be, about preparing learners for life. If life itself doesn't provide opportunities for "rigor," what does? Education for life or for more school need not be an either/or decision. Life-role based learner out-comes quite naturally also prepare learners for additional learning. Curriculum needs to be relevant to motivate, and few of our high school students of today find their curriculum relevant to life...not the life they are living today or the life they expect after completing school. (Schwan and McGarvey 11)
This makes me think back to the article about high schools needing to go. Are the high schools we have today actually preparing all types of kids for the real world. We know that college isn't for everyone, yet at some schools we have a curriculum that would mandate each student take x number of years of foreign language. This is not a useful practice to a student who knows they are going to go to a trade school to learn heating and cooling for example. I live in a community where there certainly are a number of students that go on to prestigious four year colleges and major in astro-phsyics. However, we also have a large number of students who are just as happy to get their diploma and get their lobster boat and hit the high seas. Curriculum should be made to service all types of students that a school has.
4. Agrarian School Calendar
"Expecting learning opportunities to coincide with an agrarian calendar used to make sense. It doesn't any more!
"In fairness, we recognize that some school systems have designed school calendars that no longer assume that the older children will be expected to help with planting and harvesting, but the majority continues to have 180-185 day calendars with two to three months of summer vacation built in. The learning regression that occurs with this traditional schedule has been documented, and experienced teachers have long recognized the need to "catch them back up" come September. (Schwan and McGarvey 11)
No other words have ever sounded so truer: teachers have long recognized the need to "catch them back up" come September. We all know that the first two, or even sometimes three, weeks of school in September are about getting students up to date. I would imagine this is particularly more true with younger students...although high school kids tend to forget quite a bit as well! Thinking about the alternative to having school year round doesn't sound like the most appealing option (I like my break too!) but, maybe having a shorter break or periodic check-ins would be more helpful. I will never forget my first year of college, so far away from home and I didn't know anyone. My room mate was from Houlton and towards the end of September she had a bag packed and was headed out the door. I asked her where she was going and why she was leaving on a Monday. She explained that she would be gone for about 2 weeks to harvest potatoes! As a city girl from the Bronx...obviously this blew my mind. But she told me that while she was in high school, they had 2 weeks off to help their parents harvest the potato fields. So, maybe in some corners of the world the old agrarian calendar is relevant...but it's time to make some moves here!
Inevitable is a very frank read about what it is going to take to get US education back on track and useful for ALL TYPES of students that we have out there. There are so many nuggets of information in this book that I actually thought it was hard to put down. It's a great read for anyone that is looking to reform the way their school does business....I like how it makes you feel like you can make this change that you want to see.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Technology and Learning Connection...
In listening to the pod cast by Ruben Puentedura and reading the article by Bill Ferriter it only becomes more crystal clear that technology is the way of the future of education. In fact, Puentedura's pod cast really blew my mind.
As I have griped about before on this blog and in other responses for this class, my school is not One-to-One (yet). After listening and reading this weeks assignments I know that our students are at a serious disadvantage. I am particularly found Puentedura's SAMR model to be complete evidence of this. SAMR is a model that Puentedura came up with in the eighties and has been working on and perfecting since then. Basically the model looks at what types of technology used would have greater or lesser effect on student learning. SAMR stands for: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. Puentedura explains that basically you start from the bottom with really simple changes in adding technology. As you climb the steps of SAMR, you continue to add different or better technology. By the time you achieve the Redefinition step, you are really working with fire. According to the podcast, Puentedura saw at least a 2 letter grade improvement to students work.
This is proving that technology is truly helping students to achieve. One thing that I really took away from my own personal education was a class that I took as an ed. tech in a effort to complete my certification. (P.S...I am still working on completing my certification!) The class was with Diane Jackson and its focus was teaching exceptional students in the classroom. The biggest concept that I took away from this class was the idea that what is fair is what is fair for each student. In other words...the concept of fair is not equal across the board. What if fair, is what each each students needs for success. From a special educational stand point - that would mean if a student needs to use notes to take a test or have extended time - that is what's FAIR for that student.
Now, relating this to Puentedura's podcast...if we do not provide technology that is useful to our students, we are not providing a FAIR playing field. Regardless of a students abilities, by not using some sort of technology in our classroom, curriculum, and daily lessons we are taking away from a students opportunities to succeed. Think about it. If a student who does not like to read (for shame) could have the opportunity to listen to a book or lesson, wouldn't providing this technology help that student to succeed? If we used a "living document" like Puentedura highlights, aren't we providing an opportunity for students to interact with each other, the content, and us as teachers? These opportunities of technology are really opening the playing field of education for all students to have access to better themselves.
I really found Puentedura's work to be interesting and very useful. It has really motivated me to re-evaluate my curriculum and lessons for this up coming year to add as much technology as I can to help my students succeed.
As I have griped about before on this blog and in other responses for this class, my school is not One-to-One (yet). After listening and reading this weeks assignments I know that our students are at a serious disadvantage. I am particularly found Puentedura's SAMR model to be complete evidence of this. SAMR is a model that Puentedura came up with in the eighties and has been working on and perfecting since then. Basically the model looks at what types of technology used would have greater or lesser effect on student learning. SAMR stands for: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. Puentedura explains that basically you start from the bottom with really simple changes in adding technology. As you climb the steps of SAMR, you continue to add different or better technology. By the time you achieve the Redefinition step, you are really working with fire. According to the podcast, Puentedura saw at least a 2 letter grade improvement to students work.
This is proving that technology is truly helping students to achieve. One thing that I really took away from my own personal education was a class that I took as an ed. tech in a effort to complete my certification. (P.S...I am still working on completing my certification!) The class was with Diane Jackson and its focus was teaching exceptional students in the classroom. The biggest concept that I took away from this class was the idea that what is fair is what is fair for each student. In other words...the concept of fair is not equal across the board. What if fair, is what each each students needs for success. From a special educational stand point - that would mean if a student needs to use notes to take a test or have extended time - that is what's FAIR for that student.
Now, relating this to Puentedura's podcast...if we do not provide technology that is useful to our students, we are not providing a FAIR playing field. Regardless of a students abilities, by not using some sort of technology in our classroom, curriculum, and daily lessons we are taking away from a students opportunities to succeed. Think about it. If a student who does not like to read (for shame) could have the opportunity to listen to a book or lesson, wouldn't providing this technology help that student to succeed? If we used a "living document" like Puentedura highlights, aren't we providing an opportunity for students to interact with each other, the content, and us as teachers? These opportunities of technology are really opening the playing field of education for all students to have access to better themselves.
I really found Puentedura's work to be interesting and very useful. It has really motivated me to re-evaluate my curriculum and lessons for this up coming year to add as much technology as I can to help my students succeed.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Teaching to the Ultimate Test...
Playing 'Catch-Up' with Developing Nations Makes No Sense for US!
The more I read for this class, the more my eyes are opened to what is going on with education around the world. I really enjoyed the interview with Yong Zhao: Playing 'Catch-Up' with Developing Nations Makes No Sense of U.S. by Joan Richardson. I have posted the article above so you can read it if you like!
The reason this particular article struck a cord with me is because I work at a school that has a pretty serious international population. The majority of those students are from China. Actually, my family had a student that lived with us. It was truly an amazing experience for our family and for Steven (our student). At dinner time, we would all sit down to a meal and have conversations about everything! One topic we discussed at length was the reason Chinese parents are sending there children (in really large numbers) to America for school. Steven said there were many reasons, but the one that we continued to go back to was the fact that students who study in America have more of an opportunity to go to university then if they stay in China. The reason for this is the gaokao. The gaokao is the Chinese test that determines college admissions. It is a very serious test that students and their parents take very seriously. It is a well known fact that not many students actually pass the gaokao. If they do not pass the test, they do not go to university. More importantly, if they do not pass the test, it would seem that all the education that they received up until that point, is wasted.
Yong Zhao is a Distinguished Professor in the College of Education at Michigan State University. He also is the Founding director of the Center for Teaching and Technology. He closes out his impressive resume by also being the Executive director of the Confucius Institute and a Fellow of the International Academy for Education. When he sat down with Joan Richardson he really did a good job in breaking down what the educational system is like in China and explaining it in a way that is easy to understand. In short, Zhao claims that in China, if you are not good at taking tests, then you are not good at much. The schools in China are so focused on teaching for students to pass this test, that they are only teaching to the test. Zhao explains that students aren't learning so much as they are memorizing.
Another aspect of this article that I found intriguing is Zhao's assertion that the U.S. should not now try to follow China's lead in education. I feel like he is saying...look our system is not perfect, we have some things that are not working and that need some help. But, we can't do what China is doing...the kids in China are certainly receiving a good education...but is it actually a enriched, fulfilling experience that a lot of our students receive here in the States?
The more I read for this class, the more my eyes are opened to what is going on with education around the world. I really enjoyed the interview with Yong Zhao: Playing 'Catch-Up' with Developing Nations Makes No Sense of U.S. by Joan Richardson. I have posted the article above so you can read it if you like!
The reason this particular article struck a cord with me is because I work at a school that has a pretty serious international population. The majority of those students are from China. Actually, my family had a student that lived with us. It was truly an amazing experience for our family and for Steven (our student). At dinner time, we would all sit down to a meal and have conversations about everything! One topic we discussed at length was the reason Chinese parents are sending there children (in really large numbers) to America for school. Steven said there were many reasons, but the one that we continued to go back to was the fact that students who study in America have more of an opportunity to go to university then if they stay in China. The reason for this is the gaokao. The gaokao is the Chinese test that determines college admissions. It is a very serious test that students and their parents take very seriously. It is a well known fact that not many students actually pass the gaokao. If they do not pass the test, they do not go to university. More importantly, if they do not pass the test, it would seem that all the education that they received up until that point, is wasted.
Yong Zhao is a Distinguished Professor in the College of Education at Michigan State University. He also is the Founding director of the Center for Teaching and Technology. He closes out his impressive resume by also being the Executive director of the Confucius Institute and a Fellow of the International Academy for Education. When he sat down with Joan Richardson he really did a good job in breaking down what the educational system is like in China and explaining it in a way that is easy to understand. In short, Zhao claims that in China, if you are not good at taking tests, then you are not good at much. The schools in China are so focused on teaching for students to pass this test, that they are only teaching to the test. Zhao explains that students aren't learning so much as they are memorizing.
Another aspect of this article that I found intriguing is Zhao's assertion that the U.S. should not now try to follow China's lead in education. I feel like he is saying...look our system is not perfect, we have some things that are not working and that need some help. But, we can't do what China is doing...the kids in China are certainly receiving a good education...but is it actually a enriched, fulfilling experience that a lot of our students receive here in the States?
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Waiting for Super Who?
After reading The Myth of Charter Schools by Diane Ravitch, I had a lot to think about. I teach a sociology class at Washington Academy and as part of the course I do a unit on education. As a part of this unit I show Waiting for Superman. The movie stirs up a lot of great conversation and debate. I always tell my students that the documentary is bias and told from one point of view and to make sure they keep that in mind when viewing it. I really had no idea how biased it really is.
The focus of Ravitch's argument is the fact that charter schools are really no better then public schools. She that Davis Guggenheim, the director of Waiting for Superman does not study both sides of the issues when it comes to failing public schools. The documentary notes that the reason schools are failing children is because of very bad teachers. The teachers are hard - or virtually impossible to get rid of because of the very powerful teachers union. The answer to this problem, as stated by an economist in the film: "If we could fire the bottom 5 to 10 percent of the lowest-preforming teachers every year, says Hoover Institution economist Eric Hanushek in the film, out national test scores would soon approach the top of international ranking in mathematics and science." (Ravitch 4) Also, they never come out and say it in the film, but it feels like they are suggesting that we basically give up on public education.
What the film does not include is a successful public school teacher, principle, or superintendent. There is also no mention of successful public schools. (Ravitch 4) Based on a recent personal experience in speaking with the Curriculum Coordinator of RSU #25 (in Maine), I am sure she would love to show you the amount of success her public school had last school year! To add fuel to that fire, Ravitch reports that, "only one in five charter schools is able to get the "amazing results" that it celebrates." (Ravitch 4) She also notes that based on the CREDO study which, "...evaluated student progress on math tests in half of the nation's five thousand charter schools and concluded that 17 percent were superior to a matched traditional public school; 37 percent were worse than the public school; and the remaining 46 percent had academic gains no different from that of similar public schools. The proportion of charters that get amazing results is far smaller than 17 perfect." (Ravitch 4) These statistics are truly startling and prove that the film needs to be viewed with an understanding that this is only one side of the story.
Ed points out that this article really delves into school reform. It took me a while to really pick up on it, but I found what he was talking about. Ravitch contains that it isn't only bad teachers that are causing the problems in the public school sector. There are so many issues that come into place. Some of the examples as to why students may not be achieving to their ability include poverty and parents that are not engaged. She focuses on explaining that although teachers do make a difference and have an effect on students, a teacher - at times - can not compete with what is going on outside of school.
Other items that Ravitch looks at for school reform is the ability to identify "bad" teachers. What is a bad teacher? Obviously there are some clear telltale signs. However, if you are looking at students test scores, "teachers in affluent suburbs get higher ones. If one uses student gains or losses as a general measure, then those who teach the neediest children - English-language learners, troubled students, autistic students - will see the smallest gains, and teachers will have an incentive to avoid districts and classes with large numbers of the neediest students." (Ravitch 8)
I totally agree with her insistence that one way to fix the problem in public schools is to improve the teacher force. As a teacher, I am on board with her ideas that teachers need to be paid more, have better support and mentoring systems, and of course better working conditions. Ravitch offers a statistic in which she states that, "50 percent of those who enter teaching leave within five years, mostly because of poor t working conditions, lack of adequate resources, and the stress of dealing with difficult children and disrespectful parents." (Ravitch 10) I am currently holding strong at 8 years and looking forward to continuing my career in education...I can't argue that those changes wouldn't be a bad thing!
I really enjoyed this article as it opened my eyes to what charter schools are and the success that they are or are not having. Mostly, the article allows me to be able to now show my students the other side of the argument after watching Waiting for Superman. I think that they will enjoy being to debate both sides of the story. Also, the Ravitch provides at least a possible answer on how to fix the supposed problem with public schools.
Here is a link to the article so that you can enjoy it to!!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Curriculum Interview...Week #3 Project
Well...I spent a wonderful weekend on the shores of Stetson Lake in beautiful Stetson, Maine. It's not too far away from home and was a great time to try out our new pop-up camper at the Stetson Lake Camp Grounds.
Our reason for the trip was my husbands family reunion. It was a lovely weekend with good food, hot weather, and of course great company. At the reunion, I had the opportunity to sit down with my husband Barry's mother, Evelyn Beaulieu. Dr. Evelyn Beaulieu is the Curriculum Coordinator for RSU #25 (Bucksport School District). Evelyn has been in education for a bout 20 years and has seem many changes throughout the process.
We were asked as a part of this class to sit down and interview someone in the curriculum game...I didn't realize that I was sitting down with a self proclaimed "Curriculum Geek." I learned a lot from this assignment and I am really looking forward to being able to brainstorm with my mother-in-law in the years to come as I complete this program.
I have linked the podcast to this blog post. I hope that you all enjoy it! I had never done a podcast before so, it is a little rough and you might have to turn your speakers all the way up to hear it. I really liked using this technology and look forward to incorporating it in my lessons!!
Curriculum Interview
Our reason for the trip was my husbands family reunion. It was a lovely weekend with good food, hot weather, and of course great company. At the reunion, I had the opportunity to sit down with my husband Barry's mother, Evelyn Beaulieu. Dr. Evelyn Beaulieu is the Curriculum Coordinator for RSU #25 (Bucksport School District). Evelyn has been in education for a bout 20 years and has seem many changes throughout the process.
We were asked as a part of this class to sit down and interview someone in the curriculum game...I didn't realize that I was sitting down with a self proclaimed "Curriculum Geek." I learned a lot from this assignment and I am really looking forward to being able to brainstorm with my mother-in-law in the years to come as I complete this program.
I have linked the podcast to this blog post. I hope that you all enjoy it! I had never done a podcast before so, it is a little rough and you might have to turn your speakers all the way up to hear it. I really liked using this technology and look forward to incorporating it in my lessons!!
Curriculum Interview
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Why High School Must Go...
(*I know we were supposed to blog about the readings for this week..but I couldn't help talking about this article!*)
Well, I started reading this article and thought about maybe sharing it with my coworkers at my school by sending it out in a mass email. By the time I got to the end of the article, I thought..."hmm...not sure my administrators would appreciate this." But, I did share it with some of my colleagues.
This article: Why High School Must Go: An Interview with Leon Botstein, by Robert Epstein really is an eye opener. The article begins with biographical information about a man I've never heard of - Leon Botstein. Turns out he was the youngest ever president of a college at the ripe old age of 23 he headed Franconia College. He also is a groundbreaker of educational theory. He wrote a book called, Jefferson's Children: Education and the Promise of American Culture. This book definitely looks at adolescents in a different light then the main stream does. Botstein suggests, "that our culture was creating the horrendous problems of American teens - the high rates of depression, suicide, crime, drug abuse, and pregnancy - by infantilizing them."(Epstein 660) Botstein also argues that, "...we hadn't paid attention to adolescents properly as young adults and that we fail miserably when puberty meets education; we fail to nurture young people when they have the greatest capacity to learn. As a result, we failt to produce people with any real ambition to learn." (Epstein 660)
OK, so, do I think that we need to abolish high schools? NO! I, as well as many other people in this country and around the world would be out of a job...so for selfish reasons I think that Mr. Botstein in a lunatic. However, I think that he does make many good points. School is not for everyone. We have a job as teachers to help educate the youth and try to make these kids successful in what they do when they leave us. I feel on most days that I am helping students become successful....some days it does not go that well. But, I do not think that all high schools are doing a disservice to adolescences.
Looking at what Botstein proposes however, I can see where he is coming from. Some students are ready for that next step in life and education early. I can remember being a junior in high school and wanted to start taking college history and psychology courses. When I approached my guidance councilor about it, she told me that I wasn't really ready for that kind of work load and I should just stick with my high school classes. This conversation did discourage me in some respect...mostly because I believed her. An adult in a position of authority told me that I wasn't ready, why wouldn't I trust her? This is the point that Botstein is making. We have to know when to let go of our students and let them explore the possibilities and opportunities that are out there for them. Those student who drop out, unfortunately, they know that school is not for them. We, as educator and adults, think that they are too young to make that decision. They do know what is best for them! The idea that Botstein put into action of opening an early college is truly fascinating. These students go from eighth grade and take college classes and they are all succeeding. This school is called the Bard High School Early College (http://bhsec.bard.edu/). What an interesting and unique possibility for students.
Botstein is asking us to take a step back from the norms and look at teenagers in a different light. They are not always the irresponsible, lazy, ill-equipped people we make them out to be. Botstein's method combined with Heidi Jacobs ideas of what curriculum in the 21st century should look like makes a lot more sense to me then I thought it would. Both authors are asking you to think outside the box and actually put you time and effort into truly helping these kids succeed.
Well, I started reading this article and thought about maybe sharing it with my coworkers at my school by sending it out in a mass email. By the time I got to the end of the article, I thought..."hmm...not sure my administrators would appreciate this." But, I did share it with some of my colleagues.
This article: Why High School Must Go: An Interview with Leon Botstein, by Robert Epstein really is an eye opener. The article begins with biographical information about a man I've never heard of - Leon Botstein. Turns out he was the youngest ever president of a college at the ripe old age of 23 he headed Franconia College. He also is a groundbreaker of educational theory. He wrote a book called, Jefferson's Children: Education and the Promise of American Culture. This book definitely looks at adolescents in a different light then the main stream does. Botstein suggests, "that our culture was creating the horrendous problems of American teens - the high rates of depression, suicide, crime, drug abuse, and pregnancy - by infantilizing them."(Epstein 660) Botstein also argues that, "...we hadn't paid attention to adolescents properly as young adults and that we fail miserably when puberty meets education; we fail to nurture young people when they have the greatest capacity to learn. As a result, we failt to produce people with any real ambition to learn." (Epstein 660)
OK, so, do I think that we need to abolish high schools? NO! I, as well as many other people in this country and around the world would be out of a job...so for selfish reasons I think that Mr. Botstein in a lunatic. However, I think that he does make many good points. School is not for everyone. We have a job as teachers to help educate the youth and try to make these kids successful in what they do when they leave us. I feel on most days that I am helping students become successful....some days it does not go that well. But, I do not think that all high schools are doing a disservice to adolescences.
Looking at what Botstein proposes however, I can see where he is coming from. Some students are ready for that next step in life and education early. I can remember being a junior in high school and wanted to start taking college history and psychology courses. When I approached my guidance councilor about it, she told me that I wasn't really ready for that kind of work load and I should just stick with my high school classes. This conversation did discourage me in some respect...mostly because I believed her. An adult in a position of authority told me that I wasn't ready, why wouldn't I trust her? This is the point that Botstein is making. We have to know when to let go of our students and let them explore the possibilities and opportunities that are out there for them. Those student who drop out, unfortunately, they know that school is not for them. We, as educator and adults, think that they are too young to make that decision. They do know what is best for them! The idea that Botstein put into action of opening an early college is truly fascinating. These students go from eighth grade and take college classes and they are all succeeding. This school is called the Bard High School Early College (http://bhsec.bard.edu/). What an interesting and unique possibility for students.
Botstein is asking us to take a step back from the norms and look at teenagers in a different light. They are not always the irresponsible, lazy, ill-equipped people we make them out to be. Botstein's method combined with Heidi Jacobs ideas of what curriculum in the 21st century should look like makes a lot more sense to me then I thought it would. Both authors are asking you to think outside the box and actually put you time and effort into truly helping these kids succeed.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Heroic Schools...
For week 2 of EDC 533, Ed asked us to blog about the reading for our Curriculum 21 book. I found many aspects of this weeks reading interesting and helpful. As I have mentioned, curriculum work is new to me, so the more that I am looking into it and learning about it, the more I am beginning to enjoy it. Most of the information for Chapter 4: New School Versions: Reinventing and Reuniting School Program Structures really sheds light on what techniques schools can use to update and help improve their curriculums.
I particularly felt that the section about Heroic School Schedules was the most interesting. I work at a school that uses a 80 minute block schedule with 2 semesters a year. We see the students every day for 80 minutes...I like our schedule and the opportunity to see a new crop of students at the mid year mark. When I first arrived at my school, we were having 8 periods a day at 45 minutes a piece. Looking back, I am not sure how I managed to get anything done! I can remember when we were having professional development focused on the schedule change so many teachers were up in arms. The one thing that they knew was that they did NOT want to do a A/B schedule. Also, some teachers felt that certain classes would have to be eliminated...and something had to be done with AP classes. It all got figured out and it may not be perfect, but it works.
In reading the section one Heroic School Schedules, I have to say - It blows my mind! I really like the concept of not having any boundaries in school. You have the opportunity to do what you need to do and not have the restrictions traditional schools have on themselves. One approach is known as the Met Center approach. It was started by ground breaking work done by Dennis Littky, the Met Center sarted with six small public high schools in Rhode Island (Littky and Grabelle, 2004). This approach offers a tailored curriculum for each learner. Jacobs points out that the approach focuses on six major aspects:
* Learning in the Real World
*Advisory and Assessment
*Applied Academics and Assessment
*College Transition Program
*Health and Wellness
*Travel Opportunities
Looking at this approach just seems like common sense to me. All of these major six concepts are very important to ensure the success of our students. What blows my mind is...how come this is not what all curriculums are based on?! Lets be honest, not all students are going to go onto to college. Some students might go to a technical college or get a 2 year degree. Some students think they know already what they want to go to college for and then get there and change their minds many times. The above approach is going to help all types of students succeed. I look at what we do at my school and I can see how these concepts would fit right in...if we would allow them too.
I am personally passionate about the Learning the the Real World concept. I often times do not feel that the high school experience really helps to get students ready for the real world. I think that as a teacher, we hope that the lessons we are teaching will help students in the long run...but often times, I'm not sure we are teaching the right lessons. We have tried to package everything up into a neat little box...in the real world, the box isn't always pretty. By allowing students to go out into the world and work on internships and projects we are showing them what the real world is really like. Late for your internship....you might lose it. Late for school...an hour detention - which in most cases isn't really teaching anything. If a student believes he/she interested in become a veterinarian, wouldn't it benefit that student to go to a vet. clinic and observe and work in some capacity at that clinic? Lets say said student does this and realizes that being a Vet. is not something they are truly interested in...they haven't wasted any college time or money figuring that out...to me, that is a win-win situation!
I think that having this kind of curriculum for a school...particularly a high school, is a very heroic situation. A school who choses to use this approach would really be going against the main stream ideas that are used all around the country. You would really have to have an administration that was willing to back you up and teachers that were really invested in the lives and success of their teachers. I hope that one day I might have the opportunity to work in this kind of school.
I particularly felt that the section about Heroic School Schedules was the most interesting. I work at a school that uses a 80 minute block schedule with 2 semesters a year. We see the students every day for 80 minutes...I like our schedule and the opportunity to see a new crop of students at the mid year mark. When I first arrived at my school, we were having 8 periods a day at 45 minutes a piece. Looking back, I am not sure how I managed to get anything done! I can remember when we were having professional development focused on the schedule change so many teachers were up in arms. The one thing that they knew was that they did NOT want to do a A/B schedule. Also, some teachers felt that certain classes would have to be eliminated...and something had to be done with AP classes. It all got figured out and it may not be perfect, but it works.
In reading the section one Heroic School Schedules, I have to say - It blows my mind! I really like the concept of not having any boundaries in school. You have the opportunity to do what you need to do and not have the restrictions traditional schools have on themselves. One approach is known as the Met Center approach. It was started by ground breaking work done by Dennis Littky, the Met Center sarted with six small public high schools in Rhode Island (Littky and Grabelle, 2004). This approach offers a tailored curriculum for each learner. Jacobs points out that the approach focuses on six major aspects:
* Learning in the Real World
*Advisory and Assessment
*Applied Academics and Assessment
*College Transition Program
*Health and Wellness
*Travel Opportunities
Looking at this approach just seems like common sense to me. All of these major six concepts are very important to ensure the success of our students. What blows my mind is...how come this is not what all curriculums are based on?! Lets be honest, not all students are going to go onto to college. Some students might go to a technical college or get a 2 year degree. Some students think they know already what they want to go to college for and then get there and change their minds many times. The above approach is going to help all types of students succeed. I look at what we do at my school and I can see how these concepts would fit right in...if we would allow them too.
I am personally passionate about the Learning the the Real World concept. I often times do not feel that the high school experience really helps to get students ready for the real world. I think that as a teacher, we hope that the lessons we are teaching will help students in the long run...but often times, I'm not sure we are teaching the right lessons. We have tried to package everything up into a neat little box...in the real world, the box isn't always pretty. By allowing students to go out into the world and work on internships and projects we are showing them what the real world is really like. Late for your internship....you might lose it. Late for school...an hour detention - which in most cases isn't really teaching anything. If a student believes he/she interested in become a veterinarian, wouldn't it benefit that student to go to a vet. clinic and observe and work in some capacity at that clinic? Lets say said student does this and realizes that being a Vet. is not something they are truly interested in...they haven't wasted any college time or money figuring that out...to me, that is a win-win situation!
I think that having this kind of curriculum for a school...particularly a high school, is a very heroic situation. A school who choses to use this approach would really be going against the main stream ideas that are used all around the country. You would really have to have an administration that was willing to back you up and teachers that were really invested in the lives and success of their teachers. I hope that one day I might have the opportunity to work in this kind of school.
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