How Much is Too Much?

As I wander through the internet after my Russian class I came across a few articles. Both talk about Pre-School and Kindergarten, specifically about the prices for such schools.

In recent years there has been a huge push from the government and the private sector to focus more on early childhood development. If you look on the United States Department of Education website you will find "resources" to help you prepare your child for education starting from a few months old. There is a whole section of preparing your child for pre-school.

So this doesn't seem too bad, we are educating the youth at a young age. I agree. Education needs to start young and build those foundations for children. From there, kids can have a better start in the upper grades. I'm fine with that. It is when I see articles like those in the NY Times about pre-school kids getting "boot camps" to prepare themselves for the Kindergarten entrance test. Sessions can cost up to $80- $90. It follows the same idea as test prep for the SATs, just these test preps are geared for children under the age of 6.

One parent commented that it is worth the price because their child can get in to the public school's gifted program for kindergartens, which is essentially free to them because of those nice taxes. If they didn't get in, they could be looking at anywhere from $15,000-$20,000 for private schools in pre-school and kindergarten.

Really, those articles bother me. I feel like the public schools gifted program test is to find those gifted children at a young age who have had no testing experience. If we have a class of people paying for test prep sessions, we are isolating another class that can not afford it, and essentially may not be able to get their child into the gifted program. As well, the high prices of early childhood education limit children to a specific class, essentially the upper middle class and elite. I do approve of more focus on early childhood education. I think it is very important, and schools and parents play the factors in the equation on how it works out. However, high prices and competitiveness on such a young level seems ludicrous in my eyes.

To Keep or Not to Keep Recess

Does anyone else remember Disney's show called Recess? I remember watching it on Saturday mornings wishing I could be as cool as those kids on my own playground at school. Alas, it never really happened like that. My recess involved trivial conversation with friends and playing made up games while chasing the annoying boys around who dared to cross "our" side of the field. Recess was an amazing break in the day after or before lunch where I could finish last minute homework, talk, and really hang with with my friends because we really didn't have time in the day and sometimes didn't have time at the end of the day.

Okay, so is this post just about my sentimental thoughts on my childhood? No. When I went home for Thanksgiving, one of my friends told me that our old elementary school was looking to cut recess almost completely from the school program. The information bothered me.

I know as a kid I needed that break just so I wouldn't jump on a table and beat up one of my peers for their stupidity. Of course I was a very angry child, but many students feel the same way. In an article from the Washington Post  students who have a recess have better behavior in class as reported by a teacher rating system.

Recess gives that time for students to really be kids and also to learn about being in social situations and with conflict resolutions. Many times teachers are forced to create small societies in their classrooms for students to learn how to interact with each other. It may seem odd, but recess creates that basic society where students are forced to interact without counsel from the teacher.

Some critics of recess say that it promotes violence and bullying. Yes, that aspect is there, but there are many teachers and organizations that provide the tools to fix these problems. One organization that I have worked with is "Sports 4 Kids" an AmeriCorps group that works with keeping recess around, making it safe and fun. If there is a dispute on the playground the adult doesn't solve it, the students do a quick game of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors.'

Essentially, recess is an aspect that needs to stay in the school system, and when we talk about reforming education we need to include recess. After 'No Child Left Behind' came into play on the political field, recess was one of the first things to go to add more time in the schedule. More time is always needed, but we can't take away the time that helps students interact with each other and helps form those individual personalities that our students have. As T.J. from recess would say, a school day without recess would whomp.

Teachers...Holler!

So this was a video that I showed one of my teachers when I was working in an elementary school last year. Besides being funny at points, it really is a shout out to teachers across the world.

I feel like teachers get a bad reputation a lot of times. Usually, they are the first thing we turn to as the problem of education. I know I may have even mentioned harsh criticism of teachers. Everyone should be reminded that teachers are not the only cause for a student's failure. I have seen teachers put their heart and soul into a child. The kid didn't become the star player in the class, but he wasn't failing anymore. Even though I wasn't a full teacher, I knew what it felt like when you work with a student for hours and when that test came they froze on the same problem they knew backwards and forwards. It hurts, but you know you did as much as you could. That is what counts. The student knows you are invested in them, and when you both have that acknowledgment you know you have done something positive.

Teacher reform happens, and will continue happening. There are some bad teachers out there, and they need to be held accountable for their actions. At the same time, new methods of teacher certification need to be looked at to provide creative and innovative teachers to our students. Teachers provide the knowledge to our children, the future of the world, and they deserve the respect that comes with having that role.

So holler teachers!

A Reminder

I have been posting articles, as can clearly be seen. I have talked about various policies being acted on and sometimes I take a view, and other times I don't. Currently I am working on a research proposal paper for my Latin American Politics class and I mention in it that education is important to fix the drug trade problem. Along with this research, I also went back through my photo album to see the pictures of my students last year.

So I just want to say this.

I believe that everyone, no matter the age, race, sex, has the right to a GOOD education. Everyone has the right to have the basic skills in reading and math. Everyone has the right to knowledge, and they should not be denied these factors. I focus on children because of all people, they are the ones who feel the affects of policy and have the least amount of allowance in what direction they can go in, at least until the become an "adult." We as a people have the duty to provide this basic need, education, to our people and allow them the opportunity to strive to be all that they can be.

That is all. Here is a video from the OLPC Foundation (One Laptop Per Child). I'll do another post on them, but just take the video for its message. Digest it, and decide what you will do.

"Dear Mr. President"

I came across this while looking up videos on education. I really don't want to comment on the video, I feel like it speaks for itself. What do you think?

Trying to Fix the Dropout Problem

Occasionally I shift through the articles from my local paper and I come across something of interest. One of them is the change in diplomas. Louisiana wants to start a new program that would allow students in high school to have the option of pursuing a "normal" high school diploma or seeking the "career" path high school diploma.

Initially I was very opposed to this diploma. Already, Louisiana has a high drop out rate for high school students. Yes, an alternative path for a diploma would keep more students in school, but what would be the requirements of this diploma? It was mentioned that the students would take less Math and English courses, so would these students be getting a sufficient amount of education? I'm all for keeping students in high school and using different ways to do it, but if it limits a student, then no.
It seems like the people negotiating this diploma were feeling the same way. The local newspaper in Baton Rouge, 2theadvocate.com, released a couple of articles about the exit tests for high school. First, the graduation exit exam will be removed.In the new system, "students will have to earn passing marks on at least three end-of-course tests out of six subjects. Those are: Algebra I or geometry, English 2 or English 3, and Biology or American history." It is thought that in this way students will have the test instantly at the end of the year where the knowledge is still fresh, rather than waiting to the end.

The new "career" path diploma students will have to take the same tests at the end, but the other course work will be exempt. This is to give more credibility to the diploma. In this aspect, I am happy with the new diploma, but I still have my reservations.

Don't get me wrong, I know some adults from other states who received the technical training diploma rather than the "normal" high school diploma. They are successful and have happy families. They are also intelligent individuals. So, I have seen the positive affects of it. I just have reservations when it comes to Louisiana Educators making this course curriculum. Will an exit exam for English 1 be on the same level of difficulty as it would be in New York? Also, would more students go for the career diploma and take less courses because it seems easy? Will students realize that universities will not always take those diplomas? I guess I am just hesitant to put my full support behind it. In my ideal situation, I would want students to have the same course work until their junior year where they would start on either path they wanted. Before they could choose they would have to talk to their school counselor and really think about the decision they are making, because it is a huge decision, and it is something that needs to be discussed. Maybe it will be that way. Who knows, but whatever the case is Louisiana is going through with it, if I like it or not...

High School Exit Exam Article
Career Diploma Article

Rules Defined in the Race to the Top Competition

Since I posted about the Race to the Top Program, I figured I should do a bit of a follow up on the rules. I know I was confused navigating the Department of Education's website. Apparently some states were feeling the same way.

The NY Times posted on article about it.Recently Obama clarified some of the rules for the states, basically all of them. This clarification includes how the states will be graded on the application.

"A perfect application would earn a state 500 points, with 125 points allotted for articulating a perfectly coherent agenda for change; 70 points for adopting higher standards and higher quality tests; 47 points for developing computerized systems to track student academic progress; 138 points for recruiting quality teachers, evaluating their effectiveness, and using the evaluations in tenure and other key decisions; 50 points for turning around failing schools; 30 points for other miscellaneous categories of change; and 40 points for fostering the growth of charter schools."

Some states have been overwhelmed with the application alone because there is so much paperwork. Also, states have to get support statements from their school districts. However, states are not alone. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has given $250,000 to 15 states to higher grant proposal writers to look over the state's application. Nice deal huh?

A state's application will be due Mid-January, and the second round will be in June.

Also, there has been clairification on the budgets for each state.

"The new rules urge states to seek amounts of money proportionate to their sizes. They urge four states with large student populations, California, Florida, New York and Texas, to outline budgets in the $350 million to $700 million range. States with small student populations are urged to propose budgets of $20 million to $75 million."

Overall, the Race to the Top has been receiving positive reviews by educators. At first the American Federation of Teachers provided some harsh criticism to the program, but after the new rules were released, they have been more cordial on their remarks. Either way, many schools are looking to the competition for help in the "budget problem" in the school systems, and it seems like everyone sees how this can create a positive outcome. Yes, there are critics to the program, but most see it as a time for schools to implement some form of reform in their schools. Even if the schools do not get the grants, the programs will be implemented, and the US education system will see a change in the system for the next two decades.

Teacher Performance Pay, a Good or Bad Idea?

Is the above comic the reality of teacher performance pay? I feel like something that should be clarified from the last post is the idea of teacher performance pay. The issue is always a huge debate amongst educators and politicians. Also, considering the last post mentions that under the Race to The Top Program, student evaluation will be used in teacher pay, it is something that should be noted.

Ellen R. Delisio from Education World did a great post on teacher performance pay. Currently the teacher pay system is based on years rather than on student evaluations. Have you ever heard of tenure? In this system, there are a set standards on bonuses. Under a teacher performance plan, the pay would be based upon the performance of the students. The desired outcome of the whole situation would be more hard working teachers and a competitive field with better paid teachers, which some say would attract more people to the teaching field.

However, the thing that causes controversy is the idea that student performance will essentially grade the teacher. Will it be the state tests that evaluate the students or will it be something else? For the districts that have teacher performance pay, most use "student test scores, teacher evaluations, teachers who teach in hard-to-staff schools and subjects, and professional development" are factors for evaluating different teachers as Vaishali Honawar from the Washington Times said.

So what is stopping people from doing this? Well, it has to do with the before mentioned controversy, but also the cost of an overhaul of the old system. Some say the whole process would be too costly considering new evaluation methods would need to be made such as tests and observers to pay for. It would be "a complicated situation."

Maybe. Many states are going along with it to compete for the Race to The Top Program. Although there still is no hard data saying teacher performance pay is linked to higher test scores and closing the achievement gap, many schools will see a change in salaries, for the better or worse.

Racing for More Money?

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

I don't know if anyone has heard of this, but there is a new incentive for states to reform their education assessment system. The government will offer 4.35 billion dollars in grant money for states that show they are reforming their education system to better evaluate students and teachers.

As stated by the Department of Education, "The Race to the Top Fund provides competitive grants to encourage and reward States that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform; implementing ambitious plans in the four education reform areas described in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA); and achieving significant improvement in student outcomes, including making substantial gains in student achievement, closing achievement gaps, improving high school graduation rates, and ensuring that students are prepared for success in college and careers."


One requirement under the act is that student performance will reflect upon the teachers.

So how do states get this money? Well, from my understanding after reading the political documents and finally finding the appendix where all the knowledge is referenced, it all comes down to the paper work. An application needs to be submitted before December 31st, 2009 and it needs to be detailed like no tomorrow. See, the grants will be given from the application, and then once the state receives the grant, they will have annual reports that they have to compile, tracking student progress and finances. The first one is for $4 billion dollars for overhauls of education system and reform. The second grant at a later date, Race to the Top Standards and Assessment Competition, is for $350 millions for states "to support the development of assessments by consortia of States."

So yes, more money going to schools for reform. Yea? I don't really now how to feel about it. I think the idea of competition for grants based on reform ability is a nice incentive for states to try new and better programs for their schools. However, it gets to a point where money can not always fix the problems. An important question needs to be asked, will more money help our schools, really? At one point I want to say yes because I have seen schools that have no resources and just can't even get paper for class. Then again, I have seen schools with rooms of paper that they over ordered in the 70s and is just sitting there, never to be used. If anything, evaluation of their budgets need to be taken into consideration when dealing with this new grant. I once applied for a grant for a shelter I was working for, and one requirement was to make a budget showing how much money my group could earn/raise and the rest would be covered from the grant. We need this evaluation process as well in the schools.

So maybe out of this we will have better schools, or at least for awhile. Who knows what will actually happen once the grants are passed out.

Links:
Department of Education