1. Why is there a lack of teacher input at the level of policy talk?
It comes from many areas: The hierarchy of administrative public school where the teacher is nearest the bottom. Extra time and energy required by teachers. Teachers self select to distance themselves from policy level talks. General ignorance of policy makers to bypass teachers based on things like gender or intelligence.
2. Do Smart boards challenge T&C's assertions about technology as a reform?
Not really, it seems to only serve as an added tool for instruction. It does not replace the teacher, the teacher is still the one with the relationship with the student. It hasn't been used in ways that fundamentally challenge the dynamic of the classroom. However sometimes students do not adapt well to changes in the grammar of school, or what we expect.
3. Does tracking help maintain graded schooling? Does the need to collect, compare and keep data help?
Tracking is an attempt to solve: a large amount to students going through, student differences, and helps maintain an efficiently run program.
Collecting data helps to maintain standard levels for students. It shows us opportunities to challenge higher achievers and supplement different learning strategies for lower achievers.
4. Do T&C support national standards, especially as a means to close the quality gap between status?
It usually comes down to national standards being comprised of two types of standards for states, content and performance standards. A big argument dealing with content standards is that not all schools have the same resources.
5. Are there current "policy elites"?
Arne Duncan- Sec. of Education
Gates Foundation for contributions
Heads of high profile Committees who have influence.
However present policy elites work within the modern grammar of school unlike previous policy elites who help create the grammar of schooling. But today's elites are more likely to have some sort of k - 12 background.
6. Are there current examples of successful implementation of technology?
Using the Internet, computers, teacher's structuring lessons around web pages.
7. Is meaningful, lasting reform possible given Americans constantly changing visions of schooling?
Basically no, it's a natural consequence of a democratic society.
8. What are the consequences of moving our educational goal post?
Putting more pressure on students. Increased expectations.
On a national level if schools keep failing and goals keep changing that begins to remove the people's faith in public education.
School Choice
6 versions of choice:
1. Magnet schools- a public school with a theme or focus. They help to integrate student differences. These schools must usually have a form of admission criteria to limit population. Often begin by a school within a school.
2. Open Enrollment: A public school program that helps to eliminate attendance lines, however they must have a system for priority/sorting out students to attend. It is an idea to create competition which encourages schools to get better. Issues with provided transportation surface and possible recruiting for athletic programs.
3. Charter Schools- Public schools that enter into a contract with the school district and promise to maintain academic standards in return for certain policy freedoms. Most charter schools retain a contract of some form of support from the parents as well. They often don't provide transportation or food in the beginning. Also SES raises problems!
4. Home Schools- Parents feel that they can better educate and protect their children. Can stem from specific religious or lifestyle ideologies. States regulate assessments and vary from state to state. Some states requirements include certain educational degrees from the parent. The Internet has revolutionized Home schooling in many ways, socially, accessibility, group teaching...
5. Virtual Schools- e.g SC online education for k - 12 students. Serves two main functions, credit recovery for students who have falling behind for any reason and provide advanced courses for higher achievers.
6. Vouchers- Milton Friedman Article and next class discussion.
All schools of choice are tyring to promote increased Parental support. Competition can create improvement.
No comments:
Post a Comment