I teach high school English. One of my biggest struggles is when students leave elementary school, they are often lacking some of the basic skills needed to do well in English class. One of these skills is the ability to write a good thesis statement. I've noticed that most elementary school teachers encourage the students to restate the writing prompt they have been given. The issue I have with this is that is a form of plagiarism. In many colleges around the country, students are expelled for plagiarism.
I've often voiced my concern for elementary schools being departmentalized(meaning one teacher teaches a specific subject area) as a result of teachers who are not strong in one subject area but they have to teach that subject. As a result of this, many students are often left struggling with that subject because the teacher is not proficient in teaching the content. I believe if elementary schools were departmentalized like high schools, the students would have a better understanding of each subject.
There are some school districts that have middle schools and/or junior high schools that are departmentalized but a good number of them are not. I believe this change could be beneficial to the overall performance of a school district.
It saddens me that America is supposed to be such a great country but when it comes to public education, we are failing. If the politicians and other powers that be would stop trying to focus on standardized testing, some teachers could actually teach their students basic skills to prepare them for high school and beyond.
I hear you loud and clear. In some countries, higher education is an earned privilege. In the US, it is a right. Just imagine a public school system where only the dedicated students would be allowed to attend. There would be a waiting list of eager students, who couldn't attend middle school or high school, since their academic profile suggests vocational, military, or labor skills training. Others would begin their careers as engineers, doctors, nurses, and lawyers. Others would begin their education as next generation educators in math, science, language arts, social science, physical education, fine arts, and world languages. There would be separate tracks for future educators: elementary school, high school, post secondary vocational, community college, undergraduate professor, or graduate professor. Of course this won't happen in the US, since the system would resemble a Socialist education system or a government sponsored caste system. Some families would be able to taint the system, by using political influence to place their children.
ReplyDeleteAnother note: I am always amazed how many educators who teacher honors and advanced placement courses were not honors and advanced placement students when they were students. I've often heard the banter between the educators, concerning special education students, regular education students, advanced placement students, and gifted students. I have often observed the treatment of special education students and the comments concerning certain students level of achievement or lack thereof. Some of the comments are not constructive. Sometimes I wonder if some of the educators are out to prove something, since they were themselves special education students. Now, their dark and dirty secret is safe since they have elevated into teaching "only gifted, advanced placement and honors students". These elite instructors no longer have to teach regular or special education students. In fact, these educators believe that special education teachers teach special education not because they are highly educated. The inference is special education teachers are a step slower than advanced placement teachers. Yes, I have been to multiple schools and this stereotype is consistent across the board. I have had the same child in special education classes, honors and advanced placement classes. There is a different perception from the teachers in each level FOR THE SAME CHILD. The special education teacher felt they needed to lower the bar when the bar had to be raised. The AP teachers pushed the child to the next level. This child, deemed special education in his freshman year, is now college bound to pursue engineering, math, culinary arts, and advanced world language studies. Never tardy, rarely absent, and by teachers words "a model student". Had we allowed the bar to be lowered, this child would be relegated to vocational training, labor, and independent living options.
So educators - my colleagues and teachers of my children - I am a hands-on parent. Please take your job as an educator seriously. I have spent too many hours at IEP meetings and too many miles visiting colleges and universities. I have seen the educational process from the "gifted/advanced placement" and "special education' designations for the same child. Thankfully, this child will become a productive member of society.
Congrats to my son, accepted to 5 universities graduating in May 2010.