Ms. Labriola
Unit 1: Education
AP Language and Composition 2017-2018
In your post, please address the following:
1. If you have been in the public school system, what are the best and worst aspects of your education so far?
2. If you have experience with a private, charter, or home school program, what are also your favorite and least favorites aspects of that experience?
3. If you could be superman and make any changes in the education system--regardless of cost or difficulty--what would you change and why?
4. What have you admired most about a favorite teacher?
5. Where do you think that the United States ranks when compared with other countries in math and language proficiency?
1. My time in the public school system has been a mixture of pros and cons. The public school system has allowed me to be exposed to many potential interests and possible career choices. The public school curriculum has taught me to think critically when exposed to challenging material, especially in rigorous honors courses. However, the government focuses on improving standardized test scores to boost the appeal of the education sector. Standardized testing is my least favorite aspect of the public school system. Time is taken away from class in order to prep for these exams. And most of the content of these exams are never covered by the teacher!
ReplyDelete2. I don’t have any personal experience with any other system of schooling, but I know other teenagers that are in a homeschool curriculum. Based on what they told me, their experience is very flexible and the rigor is completely dependent on the work ethic of the homeschooler. The homeschooling year is also shorter than a public school year: 100 days to 180 days. The shorter year allows for my homeschooled friends to take many breaks. And I forgot to mention: there are no exams! Despite all these benefits, I’ve noticed that some of my homeschool friends, especially the guys, are socially awkward due to limited person-to-person interaction. They do not have awareness of social norms that public school students have. And their exposure to extracurriculars is limited. Luckily, my friends have a means of gathering, which is our church.
3. If I were superman, I would change the values of the public school system to focus more on success through mastery and learning from failure as well as skill acquisition. I would shift the focus to skill acquisition because students are lectured from a young age to follow their passion. Although there are some that know what their career path will be at a young age, most would be clueless. Skill acquisition would spark the interests of students to develop a true passion that can possibly be a career path. I would also eliminate the standardized test system in order to reduce the strain on public school districts and teachers to meet with state standards. This allows teachers to spend more time on teaching their students mastery over the material covered rather than decimating the lesson schedule in order to accommodate for standardized tests.
4. One aspect of my favorite teacher that I admired was that she treated us as maturing young adults. Whether we passed or failed the course was our responsibility alone. My teacher treated the course like a university class; she even gave us syllabi to refer to. She knew that as honors students, we were accustomed to challenging questions, so she asked us questions that required deep thought, not ones that had obvious answers. I appreciated her treating us as maturing young men and women while other teachers have treated us as if we were a pack of rabid dogs that had to be slapped to calm down and behave.
5. I personally think that the United States ranks very low in global education standards. I heard of the dominance in the global education sector that Scandinavia and East Asia enjoys simply because of a different perspective on the education system or the collective values of a culture.
Replying to #1
DeleteI would like to add on to your statement that concepts in exams are often not covered in school. There have been many incidents where I have encountered a concept that was not covered in class. If anything, the subject was briefly brought up and never mentioned again. Teachers quickly mention them and move on in order to move through the curriculum and cover material faster. Therefore, a student may recognize a concept but may not fully understand it. This hurts students when taking standardized tests when they encounter these foreign concepts.
Replying to #3
DeleteI agree with your point about changing the values of the schools. However, wouldn't you agree that there should also be a strong focus on teaching students in a way that is beneficial to them? Although skill acquisition would help students determine what they would want to pursue in the future, they need to first identify good studying habits. Laying a strong foundation is key to assure that students reach their full potential, so would your ideal school focus just on values or studying habits and growth as well ? Also, what would there be a limit to the amount of times a person changes the skill they learn ?
1/2. I do not have any experience in with a private, charter, or home school program. Being a part of a public school system, there are many things I have come across. Particularly, Belleville's schools focus more so on district evaluation rather than individual performances. Students are pressured into achieving high marks on standardized and statewide tests and teachers often leave out or do not teach all the material. For me, I am not particularly dissatisfied with public education or happy with it. Attending a public school is great for my social life but academically, it could be better. I am not pleased when material are not covered in time for exams such as the PSATs or SATS and more than often, I have to teach myself the material. I have access to many extracurricular activities but what makes me unhappy is a dying music program. I have noticed that the schools do not invest or promote as much as they would for sports teams. Musicians and artist do not receive as much recognition as athletes either.
ReplyDelete3. The very first thing I would do as Superman would be to make every school in our district extremely sanitary. People would not be motivated or maintain good moods if the surroundings are dirty and unpleasing to the eyes. There are also students who put themselves down and believe it would be impossible for them to do certain things. If the schools raise their expectations, then there should be more encouragement than just a decree. As Superman, I want the students to know that it is all right for them to fail and continue on. If schools did not group students as honors or academic, then there would not be students who feel they are not as smart or compare themselves to others academically. There should just be one type of education and I would get rid of that boundary between the academics and honors, despite being an honors student myself. Most importantly, I would revive the music and art programs because music and art is expressive and part of our culture and history.
4. When I was still in elementary and middle school, a teacher would become my favorite is he or she gave us goodies or was easy. However, that was just me being lazy and easily bribed. That changed until I got until high school. There was an mathematics teacher I had for two years in a row and she became my ultimate favorite. I admired her efficiency in teaching and her wittiness. I was able to remember a lot of what she taught me. Her pace was just right and she was always on point with her plans for the week. When exams week came up, she made sure to touch on any material that would appear on the tests by holding off some of the old basics. She taught accordingly to a student's pace, not a teacher's pace. She took the time and liberty to expand any lessons that her students struggled with. I was very impressed when she successfully taught two chapters simultaneously.
5. I think America does not rank very high in math or language proficiency. In America, math and language seem to be the weakest subjects for the students. That is because many schools struggle every year to raise the scores for math and language. International schools, especially in Asia, dominate math and language because their education system is stricter. English is the universal language and many countries make it a requirement for their students to learn the language. It is safe to say that even native English speakers have trouble with their own language. Other countries such as Vietnam have mandatory after school lessons that students take to improve their mathematics and language skills. If America offered such programs, maybe there would not be such a struggle for students to grasp the concepts taught.
Replying to #5
DeleteI do agree with your point when you say that America ranks low in math or language. I also agree when you say that if America offered programs that have mandatory after school lessons to improve their mathematic and language skills, their tests scores would be much higher.. However, I do not believe that a student's lack of understanding English is a major reason. Many people in the United States are immigrants, but they are usually taught English by their family or in school-programs such as ESL. These programs allow students to understand English and understand the concepts taught in school.
Replying to number #5
DeleteI happen to strongly agree with you, maybe pulling out some after school courses would help out our overall global rankings. Your point about having a less than adequate understanding of english interesting, this country takes in more diverse people than any other, it's one of the things we were best known for, maybe that somehow has a correlation as too why our language proficiency score is so low.
1/4. In school, there is no doubt that the biggest influence for its students are the teachers. From my years of experience, the best and the worst aspects I had come to find both are built around that exact thought: the teachers I have had. In my first year of high school, I had a teacher that did not teach very well. Consequently, I had gone into my next year no way prepared for the next level of the subject I had to take. However, I can also recall at least six teachers I have known who had and will continue to inspire me as I grow and learn. They are all what I consider my favorite parts about school. What they all had in common was not just the facts that they were knowledgeable and inspiring, but also that I could see them as not just a teacher, but also as a role model and someone I could trust to talk to if I needed to.
ReplyDelete2. While I myself cannot admit to having any out-of-school education experience, I can say that I know a person who has. Based on that information, I would have to guess that the best part of it is the higher focus the student can receive on his studies. With public schooling, you are constantly surrounded by other students and even your own friends who can be very distracting to you in class. Also, teachers are not required to cater to each and every one of their students' every needs; if you do not learn the material in time, you can very easily be left behind. With home-schooling, it is the opposite: you are surrounded by, if any, two or three other students. It is a more personal education where you can take extra time in a lesson if you do not understand the material. However, that also keys in with the big downside of home-school that I have heard from my friend: being left behind from the other students your age. In her case, she had to wait until three or four each lesson for teachers who went to school during the day, and had to end early around six. Two or three hours of schooling compared to six and a half is almost nothing. That also means being able to see only a few teachers at a time, sometimes only one in a day. Therefore, even though private sessions may seem like the better choice, I believe that public schools are definitely better for learning.
3. If I were superman, I would first start by giving the students more freedom with choosing their classes by eradicating the need for more arguable classes such as language. I believe that having a mandatory language after middle school is unnecessary. I agree that the students who really see a passion for language should be allowed to follow it, but what about those who do not? In my own opinion, I had learned very little from those classes in all my ten years with it. I disliked it immensely, especially in high school. It took up a place in my schedule that I could have instead filled with another class that was more useful to me, and I had learned near to nothing. As superman, I would also fill that space by reviving study hall for students. From my experience, I thoroughly enjoyed having study hall as it was a way for me to get a head start on my homework, or to study more before a test. It also provided as a short break in my day, giving me more of the energy most students lack to pay attention more in class and carry on with the day. Therefore, I would use my powers to bring back this class and also allow for the students who would rather not take study hall to choose to double-up in beneficial subjects or whichever other class.
5. In all honesty, I truly believe that the United States ranks very low compared to the other countries when it comes to math and language proficiency. While here, I go to school for five days in a week for six and a half hours. In, for example, China, their students go for six days a week for nine and a half hours a day making America seem very lenient in education. Even most South Korean students spend hours studying late into the evening after school as well. Considering these factors, I can easily make a guess that America's education is sub-par among the other countries in the world.
Replying to #5:
DeleteWhile I do agree that America ranks low in Mathematics and language proficiency, I believe that having students in school for more hours is not the solution. China does rank much higher but their students don't get a break.They are treated like robots and deprived of family time.While their system of increased hours and school on Saturday may increase grades, it pressures students to thinking that they are defined by the grades they score.Sleep deprivation is a huge issue and increasing school hours just makes it worse.While students in China may be accustomed to this system, they are unaware of the negative effects that over weigh the advantages.
1&2 : I have been involved in both the public and private school system.Despite its negative reputation,the public school system has a lot to offer.When I first entered Belleville High School, I was surprised by the amazing diversity in the school.People from all around the world are able to share their interests and get introduced to each other's culture and backgrounds.Conveniently, the school is close to home and free bus transportation is offered to students.Moreover,there is no hefty cost of purchasing books because they are borrowed and returned to the school.One of my favorite aspects of the public school system is the activities such as clubs and sports.Through clubs , you engage with students and create a very special bond.As the president of FBLA,I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.Sports also create a close-knit family where the players compete as a team against divisions.Some down falls of the public school system include the large classes and the standardized tests.Large classes makes it difficult for students to obtain assistance.Standardized tests also get in the way of the curriculum.Teachers need to focus on preparing their student for the tests , which drives them away from focusing on their students' learning of the material.
ReplyDeleteI have attended a Private school program out of the country before coming to the United States.The classes were smaller which made learning easier for students and teaching easier for teachers.There was no pressure from standardized tests and the curriculum was much more challenging.The school was very challenging and students were not separated into academic and honors so no one felt like they were any less important than others. Also, not everyone from financial backgrounds was able to attend.There was also an acceptance test which determined if you were qualified or not to enter the school.The part I disliked about my experience in a private school for 6 years, was the lack of sport teams and clubs which limited engagement.
3: If I were superman, I would make the school a learning-friendly zone.I feel like the school is too dull. I would give it a more modern look and create study hall rooms in a sunny area so that students can study together, similar to college study areas.I would also change the fact that most of the work is done as homework instead of the class.Homework should be closer to a grade booster instead of part of a student's grade and most of the learning should be done with the teacher of the class instead of at home. Also, I would start school at 10 am instead of at 7:57 because studies have shown that the human brain begins to function properly at 10 am.Many students have problems from the lack of sleep because they are up till 3 am doing homework and waking up very early which deprives them from family time.
4: What I admire most about my favorite teacher is how I can call her "mother". She cares for me as if I were her daughter.Not only does she make all her students feel at home, but her way of teaching has not yet been discovered by the world.She does not believe in memorization and really makes her students think.She ensures that every student is truly learning.She encourages everyone to reach their full potential despite their grades.She says what needs to be said and this honesty is the foundation to good relationship.She makes class feel like one big family by keeping everyone in groups and alternating them.
5: From what I know,America does not rank high in Mathematics and English. Many students lack the knowledge to solve a simple algebraic equation due to the lack of school preparation. Some students are not able to read a text and analyze it. The very low PARCC scores are proof of this. My country Lebanon (first language is Arabic and second is English) has a double English period for all students grade 1 through 12 in their system.They also have math competitions which encourage students to try harder in math.
Replying to #5:
DeleteI don't believe that the PARCC scores are an accurate representation of how well a student is able to read or analyze. Many students purposely refused to take it seriously because they were told that it the grade does not affect their means of graduating. As long as the student passes one English PARCC and math PARCC, putting incorrect questions on the test will only hurt the school's PARCC passing percentage. In addition to the type of class, honors classes teach much more than a regular academic class. Some students can try their hardest and still fail because they were not exposed to the difficult material that appeared on the PARCC.
1/2. I do not have experience with a private, charter, or home-school program. My time in the public school system has been both amazing and bad. The best part of my education has been encouragement from my teachers. The support I have earned from teachers throughout my life has been extremely influential to me and I would not be the student I am without them. Our school is also very diverse and there are all sorts of different races and cultures in public schools. Also, our school is very supportive of the arts and I believe that people who enjoy theatre, music, or acting have many different outlets in our school. The worst part of my education was teachers who almost wanted me to fail or who did not support me at all. For example, I had a math teacher who made me despise algebra for the entire year. It got to the point where I would not even ask questions even when I didn't understand something, because I was afraid of what she would say. The energy and love I had for Mathematics was sucked out of me with this teacher, and these unsupportive and almost evil teachers who do not enjoy their jobs are by far the worst part of public schools.
ReplyDelete3. If I was Superman and could make any change in the education system, I would make every student in every country have free access to education. I would especially try to focus on war-torn areas such as Syria or South Sudan, where education is not a luxury, but a scarce privilege. I would give every child an opportunity to learn and hire competent teachers who loves their job. I would make this change so the next generation of people who will take care of the Earth will be educated and open-minded individuals who can restore our planet to its carbon-free glory.
4. I have admired the dedication and joy that my favorite teacher had in teaching. He kept the class engaged and interested in his subject. He was always available for after school tutoring and was willing to help anyone. They were supportive of me and they taught me how to talk confidently in front of a group of people. They were mentors to me and did not give up on me or my abilities in any point. His pacing and learning techniques worked very well with me and he showed the class the more human side of himself.
5. I think the United States ranks low in comparison to other countries in math and language proficiency. I think this is because the United States greatly stresses standardized testing over everything else, even the quality of learning. I know that Finland usually scores the highest in these math-proficiency and they do not stress the passing of standardized tests the way the US does. I also believe that America does put enough effort in the "academic level" students and gives them unmotivated teachers so their ability to learn is always limited.
Replying to #1. I do agree that a bad teacher can make any student despise a subject no matter how much they had enjoyed it before. However, I don't think an unsupportive teacher is equal to a bad teacher. A teacher may want you to prosper in their class but have horrible teaching methods at the same time. I believe one should build their own support system especially, in a public school where there is way too many uninfluential teachers and unhelpful authority figures.
DeleteReply to #5:
DeleteThough there are many unmotivated teachers, the ability to learn is not limited. The internet has allowed students to teach themselves more about the subjects that cannot be taught well in school. Furthermore, websites such as Khanacademy and Crash Course, have helped me multiple times. Despite teachers being responsible of our education, students should put more effort into academics, rather than blaming a bad teacher.
1/2. I have always been in the public school system. Negative along with positive aspects are accompanied with being enrolled in a public school. Some of the unfavorable aspects include exposure to negative influences and being left behind in the learning process. Adolescents are the most vulnerable to bad influences because they are struggling with self identity. In a public school these adolescents are susceptible to being negative effects because they encounter so many different personalities and characters who share a variety of beliefs along with opinions. Essentially, every student wants to feel like they belong and fit in. A yearn to feel included may lead many students down a path of destructive decisions and a less than promising future. Additionally, in public school systems a majority of the classrooms are over populated. On average the student teacher ratio is 20:1. A densely populated learning environment does not cater to the individual needs of each student. This may result in students falling behind academically. On the other hand, being enrolled in a public school system does have its upsides. In a public school environment you gain independence and life lessons that will later become useful. Public school students learn to think for themselves and take responsibility. They learn to build character through bad and good experiences. Lessons like learning who your real friends are better learned now, than in adulthood. Furthermore, if students find themselves falling behind the rest of the classroom he o she will take it upon himself to learn the material at home, developing self sufficiency and independence.
ReplyDelete3. If I could be superman and make any changes in the education system I would deprioritize college entrance exams. Millions of students are convinced that the secret to receiving an ivy league education from top institutions such as Harvard or Yale require a killer sat/act score. Students who do have hopes of getting into a good school stress for weeks among moths on these college entrance exams. Many students prioritize studying over sleep. The pressure that is associated with these tests causes many overwhelmed students to resort to “study drugs” such as adderall and Focalin for the purpose of increasing concentration and stamina for studying. Students often are convinced that they have to enroll in a costly preparatory course or hire a private tutor which can set parents back thousands of dollars.
4.In seventh grade I encountered a very difficult and hard to please teacher. Up until seventh grade english had been my ultimate favorite subject. I enjoyed language arts and believed regardless of what teacher I had it would never affect my feelings on the subject. This specific teacher was extremely strict, she had high standards for all of her students, and expected everyone to adhere to all of her rules. I did not realize how much her method of teaching impacted my life until high school. She trained me to submit assignments on time, to follow rules to a T, and to make sure any work I submitted reflected my character and values accurately. I try to represent these ideals the best I can.
5.I don’t think the united states ranks highly among global schools in math and reading comprehension. Many Americans would like to believe they are receiving the best education possible, in reality the US is falling behind many countries that excel in core subject areas. Asian countries, for instance, tend to score in the exceptional range on standardized tests when compared with American students where only a fraction even meet requirements. Although not one of the best education systems I don’t believe America falls below the 10th percentile in global math and reading comprehension. America’s education system is not “failing” per se, but it is not providing quality education to all of its students, resulting in a slower and ultimately unsatisfactory learning process.
Replying to #3: It is undeniable that drugs should never be a solution to anything, and that stress can be a factor to choosing to take them. However, I do not think that lowering the importance of college entrance exams is a good idea. As a student, I know very well how stressing over my work and grades can be. But tests, I believe, are an important part to school. They show not just how much a student knows, but also how much effort he put into his studies to get that grade. If the topic of getting accepted into college was not stressed on as much, some students would not take it as seriously and would probably even slack on their studies. Doing well on tests and in college will benefit them for the rest of their lives, and therefore I believe that going the extra mile for tutors and extra courses is a good thing. The stress and damage it does to their wallets, however, definitely are not.
DeleteReplying to #3
DeleteI agree that there is an over emphasis on college entrance exams in the United States. As much stress as this causes American students, the adolescents of countries such as South Korea and Japan have it much worse. At least in the US, it is culturally acceptable to branch off the academic path if one is not suited to it. In South Korea and Japan, the toxic concoction of cultural values and government emphasis place enormous pressure on young people to get accepted into prestigious universities. If one cannot do this, they are ostracized by their peers and families since obtaining a university degree is a great source of hereditary pride.
1) The majority of my education was in a public school system. A benefit of public schools is the diversity. Public schools are filled with people from many different nationalities and therefore reduce ignorance and racism. Furthermore, public schools are filled with opportunities available to all students. There are various courses to take that are not just your standard english and math. For example, there are cosmetology classes, woodwork classes, and even culinary classes. There are also classes for more advanced students such as honors or advanced placement. However, there are also downsides to public schools. To illustrate, class sizes in a public school are often large due to the large amount of students. This may make it difficult for students to access their teachers individually. Public schools are required to stick to a certain curriculum decided by the state. This causes teachers rush through lessons to cover material and meet standards. As a result, students may not fully understand certain topics.
ReplyDelete2) I only attended a private school for three years in the past. However, I was far too young to recall many of my experiences. On the other hand, the majority of my cousins attended private schools for their entire lives leading up to college. They enjoyed the small class sizes because they are able to learn better from their teachers. Teachers were able to help students one on one and further their understanding on particular topics. Moreover, private schools were not required to participate in standardized testing mandated by the state. This lessened the stress on students and allowed them to focus more on their work. However, tuition for private schools is often very pricey. This is because private schools are not funded by the government and run independently. Additionally, teachers in private schools are not required to have a teaching degree. Many private schools also do not have special education programs for special needs students.
3) I if could be superman and change anything about the education system I would make school start later in the day. Many students claim that they do not get enough sleep at night and complain about waking up early for school. A lack of sleep can affect a student's ability to focus and learn while also impairing memory. As a result, students may struggle to stay awake in class and can end up falling asleep. By making classes start later in the day, students are able to get more sleep, be focused in class, and have more study time.
4) One of my favorite teachers was my eighth grade math teacher. I did not like math growing up and it was often one of my lowest grades on my report cards. However, my eighth grade math teacher made learning math interesting. She took time to help students individually and made sure every one understood the concepts before moving on. We did not do a lot of text book work in class and instead used the smart board frequently. The smart board lessons engaged students and made concepts easier to understand. My teacher also always had fun stories to share and easily connected with her students easily.
5) I do not think the United States ranks high compared to other countries. There are other countries where education is a top priority and school days seem to be never ending. However, I do not think the United States is one of the lowest countries in the ranks because there may be countries where students do not have easy access to education. Americans are lucky enough to have free public schools unlike other countries. Therefore, I believe the United States is in the lower 40% when it comes to math and language proficiency.
Replying to #3
DeleteYou cannot put all the blame on schools for their early start. School starts as early as some people's work hours. Students complain and lose sleep because of themselves. Some procrastinate assignments or choose to stay up late doing other things such as being on his or her phone instead of sleeping. Although some may have extra-curricular activities or work, students can plan ahead to avoid having too much homework. It is up to how well a student manages his or her time. Starting school later may be beneficial but if you drag something on, it can be difficult to find the motivation to do work late in the day.
Replying to #3: There is no denying the fact that sleep, especially when it comes to children who are still in the process of growing, is very important. It's a known fact that too little sleep is especially damaging, and I agree that way too many students have such a poor sleep schedule. However, I do not think that by pushing the start of school to later in the day would be any more beneficial. Let's face it: most students after getting home from their daily six hours of school do not jump straight into their work. Rather, they procrastinate, leaving their homework and studying to later in the night and pushing off when they should really be going to bed in order to be energized enough for school in the morning. I believe that by allowing for school to end later than three gives them less time to actually do their work and leads to the same, if not even worse sleeping habits than how it is now.
DeleteReplying to #1. I completely agree with you. One upside of a public school is diversity. At the private Catholic school I went to there was only 2 black kids, one of them me, in my 8th grade class and mostly all the way since kindergarten. There are also more different classes you can take in a public school than in a private school which is another positive about public schools. I also agree with your #3 because I do think school should start later because kids have jobs they need to support their families that they might have to work until midnight for example. Not all students are just procrastinating like Vivian and Emily said.
Delete1.) Public school has its pros and cons. Some students are full of hate and express their opinions with violence. This distracts me and my other peers from learning and creates a dangerous atmosphere. However, public school is proactive towards this problem. There are clubs are established to promote diversity, empathy, and harmony. After school there are even students who help tutor their peers in the library. Public school is driven by teamwork. Majority of classes are set up in groups, which encourages students to help and learn from their peers. Students gain security and familiarity in groups, sometimes they even become friends. Teachers are encouraging as well, wanting the best for their students. In the past my teachers were always willing to stay after school to help me with challenging lessons. The negativity of some students cancels out because of the rest of the population which supports and encourages one another.
ReplyDelete2.) Although I have never experienced being in a home school program first hand, my friend recently needed to in the summer. The program had its benefits and she was able to learn at an accelerated pace. Because it was a one on one lesson, their were no distractions from other students. She was able to understand the material thoroughly because the teacher only focused on what she had a problem with. However, home school had its disadvantages. My friend felt isolated because she was the student in class. Often times she wanted to skip her lessons because of how lonely she felt. Home school definitely stunts a student's social skills. A student will not know how to converse with others their age. Public speaking will also be a challenge for them, because they are not used to big crowds of people after being sheltered in home school.
3. If I could make an changes in the education system, I would make the environment safe for the students. Schools will be clean, with better plumbing and the removal of any hate speech. Removal of any broken or old appliances will also be guaranteed and be replaced with better technology. Schools often look over a healthy environment because of funding. How can schools expect students to perform at their best if their school isn't even performing at their best? Also I would fund the arts programs such as music, which is not seen in many schools. Schools usually heavily endorse their sport teams, spending thousands of dollars on equipment, while their music department is left empty handed. Funding the all departments equally ensures students that they are supported by their school and encourages them to perform their best, whether if it is at basketball or the spring musical.
4.) Last year I had the pleasure of having an excellent science teacher. What I admired most about her is she always made all of her students know they held importance. Never did I feel like I was ignored in her class. She cared about our opinions and problems and always gave advice. When a student was struggling, she was always there to help them. Instead of other teachers who did not care about their students, this teacher was always concerned for her students to do well in her class and understand the material.
5.) Personally, I think the United States ranks low compared with other countries in math and language proficiency. Because the United States is a capitalist country, rather than education the main focus is obtaining money. It is absurd that thousands of dollars have to be spent just to learn in America. Meanwhile, in other countries education is free which is why they are top in world. Without the lingering fear of debt, students can focus on only studying. Also, students would not need job to pay for universities, giving them more time to focus on their studies.
- Jasmine Ferrer
In reply to #1:
DeleteI agree that hate speech and bullying is a big con of public school environments and must be addressed in ways other than dress down days and assemblies. However, how would someone go about changing it in order to eliminate distraction? Many students still feel distraction from these outlets of violence in their school districts. Things such as HIB have been established as well as safe havens in schools to help reduce and perhaps eliminate bullying and intimidation, but it only is effective to an extent. Clubs, sports, and other extra curricular activities are an excellent way to staying active in the school. In addition, by participating in these activities, it gives students a better outlet than violence and bullying. This allows minimal distraction combined with minimal hate speech causing students to thrive in their schools with zero restraint.
1. I dislike the inconsistency in the public school systems. Each teacher follows their own guidelines and lesson plans which leave students ahead of others. Some students may have more skill when going into another class because of the lessons and skill sets that they built the previous year. There are teachers that do the bare minimum, or nothing at all to teach their students new material. This negligence that some of the teachers have can be hurtful to the students, as it happened to me. If these select teachers had some sort of initiative it can better prepare students for future classes. On the other hand, public schools do offer great programs and clubs that allow students to understand the importance of helping the community. Clubs arrange donations, food drives, and other programs that encourage the students to help the struggling community and help create a good image.
ReplyDelete2. I have experienced a private school program, however, I was too young to remember anything significant.
3. If I were superman, I would like teachers to understand each student's struggles in academics. Teachers should dedicate time after school to build a student-teacher relationship. Some students are too shy or lack an initiative to ask for additional help which can leave them behind other students. Also, having students roam the halls and yelling at administration is distracting during tests and lectures. I believe that if they are put under strict circumstances. For example, by implementing certain grade bracket, they might be motivated to reach these goals. However, this may be difficult because it is the student's choice to learn and put forth effort.
4. My favorite teachers were very organized. By planning ahead and creating a schedule for the week made it easier for me to focus on subjects that I knew I would be tested on. Many of my favorite teachers followed the same pattern of: addressing problems from homework or concepts from the previous lesson, teaching the new subject, and allowing students to ask questions. This type of pattern that I was accustomed to did not leave any student behind in the lesson. My favorite teachers were also the ones who were the strictest. Teachers that enforced strong working habits and tested our knowledge beyond basic comprehension questions were the best. These teachers gave me the motivation to prove to others that I am capable of higher level thinking.
5. I don't believe that the United States ranks high in language and math proficiency. America may lie below the top 20. For the most part, I do not believe that it is the American education system's fault. Many Eastern Asian parents pride themselves in their child's proficiency in academics. Through prior investigation, Eastern Asian children develop number sense and expand their vocabulary at a very young age due to the parent's teaching. I believe some American parents do not enforce these ideal onto their children.
-Carla Cagandahan
Replying to 4.) Although you point out many good characteristics, I disagree with your statement with strict teachers. Even though strict teachers helped you excel, that is not the case for other students. Students are often scared and discouraged by strict teachers. Usually they are put down and lose motivation in their studies. Lenient teachers consider a students feelings more, giving students safety and trust. -jasmine ferrer
DeleteIn response to #1,
DeleteI deeply agree with your points of inconsistency present in a public school system, as we both experienced it when we never received a chance of learning Algebra 1 at grade 8. While other schools had a regulated honors system, some of our peers had to double up in math courses in order to take Precalculus during junior year. However, students of different learning capabilities should be separated in order to make those students excel rather than dragging them down with lower-paced curriculums; to clarify, I am not saying students who fall behind should be neglected but rather encouraged to continue striving for success. Life is a competition--a race filled with a lot bumps and joys an individual must experience in order to mature as a human being. I learned teachers are paid regardless they teach a subject proficiently or not, ensuing an initial distrust I have towards the education system. I find your negative experiences relatable, as it is a teacher's responsibility to help a student thrive.
1. The public school system generally has always had a negative connotation. For many people they comment on their experience in public schools as, "It is what you make of it." However, for many children they are not given circumstances that will benefit themselves or their education. In my experience in public schools, there are many different aspects of education that have set aside my education from a child who attended a private school's education. For example, at a young age learning was not enforced but meeting criteria was. Ultimately, succeeding while doing the absolute least was what I was taught alongside my peers during my elementary years all the way up to the present. Another aspect of public school education for myself was lack of funding. Many activities were limited and lacked supplies due to overcrowded classes and underfunded budgets. Although, teachers often do make an effort to make the best of what they have just like students should, but students are often shorted of an education in public schools. The aspects of under-funding, overcrowding, and in-proficient curriculum. In my own experience, unless you are involved in sports, extra curricular activities, or advanced classes, the supplies and curriculum are at a low.
ReplyDelete2. I do not have any personal experience with any private or charter school.
3. If I were superman, and I was able to change the education system regardless of the cost or difficulty, I would change various things. The first thing I would change is the funding each public school gets. Many schools get money towards each student that is enrolled in the school, therefore, low funded schools sometimes have a tendency to be overcrowded. Furthermore, I would eliminate the funding dilemma in order to create more options for schools. The increase in funding could hire more teachers, buy more supplies, and better administrators. The newly hired teachers would thereby eliminate the overcrowding issue and create a more one on one learning environment for children so they could have a teacher not meeting standards but ensuring a child's success and learning.
4. My favorite teacher pushed me past limits I did not think I had. She did not favor me in any way shape or form, nor did she believe in me more than any other teacher, friend, or family member. As a result, I did not feel as though she treated me fairly, but it was then that I knew she wanted success to be a part of my future. This teacher saw a potential laying underneath the surface that soon boiled and rose above the standards. I was meeting the bare minimum of my courses and this teacher did not allow such a thing to ever continue. I got the lowest of the low's on my essays and my test grades plummeted. However, my teacher did it knowing I could do much better than what I was putting forward. She helped me individually after school and even let me email my rough drafts of my assignments to her and she helped me identify my mistakes. I admire her hard work and efforts to help my writing and the fundamentals of my writing and her bettering me as not only a student but as a person.
5. In my opinion, I want to say the United States scores possibly like 10th in math and language proficiency. The United States' education has progressed immensely over the years, however, many other countries still have more developed education systems than the United States.
-Christina
1. I have been part of the public education system for twelve years now and my experience has been negative. The main issue that I have seen in public schools is the lack of and need of funding. Since the schools are run by a government agenda, it is up to the state and federal government what and how we learn. However, although education is key for the success of the generation of the future, legislators carelessly cut budgets. The lack of funding results in outdated textbooks, technology and resources. For me, it is frustrating to receive textbooks that still teach old methods and technology that takes too long to load. The many problems in the budget prevents students from receiving a well rounded education. Secondly, another main issue is the curriculum. Due to the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, there are many standards and testing that all students must meet. However, such standards focus on meeting the minimum and do not push students to reach their highest potential. Testing takes valuable time away from actual learning, and reduces the material that can be covered in the school year. Although some might argue that the public school system is valuable because it gives everybody the opportunity to learn, the methods used are only hurting children and setting poor standards. Because of this, many students are not prepared to enter higher education and do not pursue schooling after their high school years. The benefit that I admire of the public school system is the diversity that it offers. Students from many different backgrounds can interact and this helps the cultural diversity and the education of the students.
ReplyDelete2. I do not have experience in a private or charter school.
3. If I was Superman I would change the budget and curriculum of schools. As stated in previous response, the low budget of public schools hurts the students and limits their learning. If I had the power to, I would assure that every public school across the nation had the funding it needed. Additionally, I would hire people to assure that the money was used towards the improvement of education and not in a corrupt way .Secondly, I would change the national curriculum greatly. I would get rid of the No Child Left Behind Act and the Common Core Standards. I believe these acts are not helping improve student' learning so I would replace with a curriculum focused on the individual need of each child and a way to help it. To do this, I would implement a program that gave individual attention to each child's performance. Monthly, staff would have a meeting with the student and asses their performance. If the student was falling behind, the teachers would give him/her individual lessons to help him/her reach the appropriate level. Lastly, I would give high school students more freedom to explore different fields and subjects.
4.My favorite teacher had a unique passion for teaching and education. She had a mission to ensure that every student in her classroom reached his/her full potential and would not settle for less. Although she was strict, she was approachable and willing to help in any way she could. Every month she would hold one-on-one meetings with students to set goals, discuss their performance and give them advice. She had unconventional ways to teach us and was above all, caring.
5. I think the United States ranks lower in language proficiency than in math. I think this is mainly due because grammar is not taught in elementary schools, leaving students with a weak foundation. Secondly this could also be because a majority of students across the country speak another language at home, and balancing two or more language at once can compromise the proficiency. I think we rank higher in math because of the STEM programs that are implemented across the country. Students are given more opportunities and resources to thrive in these fields, helping the United States rank higher.
1) I do not have any experience in a private, charter, or a home school program. My experience in the public school system has its ups and downs. Being in a public school, students are open to several clubs, activities, and etc. In addition, the diversity in public schools has allowed to understand and gain exposure to many different cultures. However, standardized testing has caused teachers to rush certain topics to meet the standards. Also, most of the time the topics on the PSATs or PARCC are not covered by the teacher. Overall, standardized testing should not be the school's main focus, as it is a waste of time to the teachers and the students. Without it, teachers will be able to teach the subject at regular pace.
ReplyDelete3) If I could be superman, I would make schools more modernized, and students will be more engaged in learning. This includes replacing old or broken equipment with new better equipment. Schools will become cleaner and have a functional heating and air conditioning system in all classrooms. Furthermore, I would evenly fund the athletic department, the music department, and the academic department. A majority of the funds goes to specific sport teams, supplying them with new equipment. All departments should be equally supported by the school.
4) I grew up having English/Language Arts as my weakest subject. I have disliked this subject for too long, and I have never attempted to put any effort in getting better. But, there was this one teacher that helped me gain more interest in the subject and helped me learn from my mistakes. She was very inspirational and caring to all of her students. She took the time to make sure that every student fully understood the topic before moving on, despite the deadlines. Overall, she changed my view on English/Language Arts, and now I've learned to put more effort into learning it.
5) Compared to other countries, I believe the United States ranks lower with other countries, especially European and Asian countries, specifically in the subjects of mathematics. In the United States, most students complain that mathematics is too difficult, and therefore, students put less effort into learning it. However, in other countries, education is their main priority. There, students spend more than 8 hours in school and are taught in a stricter environment. If the United States had a stricter and less costly education program, then scores on standardized tests will be higher.
Replying to 3.) While the quality of a modernized school is very appealing, do you think that the quality of the physical school matters more than the actual quality of teaching? Personally, I believe good teachers make up a school and not equipment like laptops or computers. As long as the schools have the bare minimum, the important factor to a good school is if the teacher is effective or not. You can have a small school made up of wood, but as long as there's a desk, chair, a book and some work, anyone can learn in that environment so long as the teacher is doing great at their job.
Delete1/2.) The flaws with the public school system impact the lives of students and teacher for better or for worse. Public schools focus primarily on teaching students as a whole rather than teaching students individually. This approach comes off as inconvenient for the student. Every person learns through different methods, yet public schools follow a specific procedure that some students may not comprehend or understand. Having large classes results in less concern for tutoring students with specific problems as having too many students is overwhelming for a teacher to handle. Personally, my experiences with smaller classes were far better compared to working in a class full of thirty students. Moreover, public schools face many challenging disrespectful students that cause public disturbances for the sake of boredom or spite. Having these types of students around change the attitude I have towards the school negatively. The major behavior problem in schools demonstrates lack of control and management for the supervisor’s part. Although I have no experience with a private school, if I had the money, I would transfer to one in an instant.
ReplyDelete3.) If I were Superman, I would drive my attention towards an improvement for a teacher’s salary and increase their benefits. Some teachers lack determination and an initiative to help students develop their skills and neglected to help anyone struggling. One reason for this behavior might be because of low pay resulting in minimal effort. If money weren’t an issue, I would increase their salary with the hope that it will boost their motivation to do an efficient job. Furthermore, I would create a new system based on student’s learning capabilities. Students that can adapt to a new learning environment will be placed in large classes and proceed with regular lessons. Students that show struggle in learning and working will be placed in smaller classes. When placed in a smaller class, students can work at their own pace and not stress about being left behind in a lesson.
4.) Throughout the years, the teachers I felt that were most effective and admirable had similar traits. Those teachers had the tendency to always beg for questions and possessed the drive to help their students. My past three math teachers always reviewed with students individually if they had problems. Their will to help students pass was certainly admirable. Moreover, teachers that students don’t have to use formalities are valuable people. A friendly relationship with a teacher is important for a student because it gives them a sense of ease when walking into a class. Personally, having these types of teachers erases feelings of anxiety and the comfortability of a student should be a factor teachers should be aware of Seeing a teacher more as a friend rather than an office superior help improve student abilities and lets them be mentally calm and collected during class.
5. ) Globally, the United States is ranked high when compared to the third world and developing countries. However, the U.S. pales in comparison to Asian and European countries. The ranking for the United states is not even in the top twenty. I hypothesize that the public school system lacks quality is because of the United State’s high population and lack of money. Due to the population being in the hundred million, the government does not have the money to support such a large number. There might not be enough money to provide poverty stricken regions with new and effective schools. Furthermore, teacher shortage may result in an incapability of produce more schools. People are unmotivated to become teachers due to its average pay, and this attitude impacts public schools by resulting in lack of an effective staff. Meanwhile, other countries treat teachers with more comfort and benefits. The Scandinavian nations value their teachers with an utmost respect, thus causing high morale in the profession. What American teachers lack is motivation for the job because of how underappreciated it is when compared to other jobs.
1) Yes, I have attended a public school, and I remember both positive and negative experiences. For example, I experienced a lack of recurring discrimination and bullying due to diversity and tolerance present. Belleville High School has strict bullying policies which the faculty and staff enforce; it ensures a sense of safety and peace of mind for students attending school. However, public schools also abide by mandatory curriculums, despite a teacher's objections towards it. As early as second grade,I recall anxiously anticipating the NJASK's arrival in late May. My teachers neglected their own lesson plans and adhered to the mandatory standardized test prep. While I recognized a standardized test's ideal purpose, its redundant emphasis hindered our teacher's classes and my own learning experience. I disliked having to neglect other vital topics in order to sustain PAARC’s requirements. Despite these objections, it taught me to be self-reliant and inspired a newfound motivation to study uncovered material.
ReplyDelete2) I have received a private school education, though it took place in the Philippines and in kindergarten. It was a catholic school curriculum, ensuing both material involving the ABC's and religion. Since I attended kindergarten a decade ago, I cannot recuperate concrete memories aside from having a lot of recess and bible studies. However, when I visited the Philippines four years ago, my cousins of same age described their Catholic schools as both strict and flexible. Their routines included more and longer breaks, though they begin school at 7am and end at 4 pm. The curriculum was more advanced than ours, only falling short in homework. I oppose the stereotypes between public and private schools, as in the end, most schools still abide by a flawed system.
3) If I could be superman and change the education system, I would begin with the preparations for a child’s future occupation. A student will graduate from high school, ready to face the joys and cruel realities of adulthood. I would eradicate the idea of a single standardized test strictly determining one’s direction in life. Tests such as the SAT are measured and affected by set variables a student has to fill. Not all students meet the price tag on the lengthy study sessions and designated textbooks. These tests do not measure a student’s intellectual capabilities and proficiency at his or her desired major. Therefore, I will set multiple programs assisting all students advance towards a desired route. These programs will encourage students to make their own decisions while preventing suffocating expectations. People sugar coat the inevitable highs and lows of life, and if I could change the education system, I would promote self-awareness and willingness to learn.
4) During my sophomore year of high school, I admired my Algebra 2 teacher. Though I experienced various discrepancies with my schedule, the pacing of her class both kept me focused and balanced. My classmates and I noted the challenges and flexibility she set forth towards each individual. She found the balance between the difficulty and asserting her role as an honors teacher. My Algebra 2 teacher contributed to improvements towards my work ethics, while providing a memorable sophomore year.
5) With my previous knowledge of other foreign education systems, I believe the United States ranks low in Math and Language proficiency. I recall learning about northern European countries such as Finland ranking one of the highest in education systems; education is also stressed upon greatly in Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea. Judging from these details I recall from various documentaries, I believe the United States only meets the bare minimum when it comes to education. Our school systems are stressful and flawed, while other developed countries are advancing in terms of education. The United States must step up and motivate their students to achieve better work ethics, in order to keep up with the rest of the world.
1. The best aspects of my education so far are meeting some amazing teachers and coaches like Tuttle, Dubuque, Blodnik, DiMassi etc., the great friends I've made, and the clubs and sports at BHS like the Theatre Arts Company and Tennis. The worst aspects are having to wear uniforms and IDs, all the different standardized tests I had to take, the horrible teachers I've met so far, and having to always fix my schedule.
ReplyDelete2. I do have experience with a private school. From kindergarten to 8th grade I went to a private Catholic school. My favorite aspects of that experience were how you saw the same friends everyday and the next year so you didn't have to worry if you had any classes with your friends like it is at BHS, how you knew everyone and every teacher, the fun activities they held like Trunk or Treat, Fun Day, Spirit Week, Brain Challenge, and the Italian Festival, and how close everyone was. My least favorite aspects were having to wear uniforms and how strict it was sometimes like how you couldn't wear nail polish.
3. If I could be Superman in the education system I would change the hours of the school day. I would start school at 10:00 AM because I watched a YouTube video about education that said the schedule humans put themselves on is not good for our bodies. If school started later children would be more well rested and more willing to learn. Children could then come earlier for extra help and may be able to understand the work better for the extra hours of sleep they got.
4. One of my favorite teachers is Mr. Blodnik. I admire most about him is that he is a fun guy who I could relate to. He's easy going and someone you feel like you can talk to. He isn't too serious and doesn't treat his students like idiots but as real people. He made me realize with a movie he showed in class how bad the environment and climate change was and how so many animals need our help. This made me think of seriously becoming a veterinarian.
5. I think the United States ranks 15th when compared with other countries in math and language proficiency. I don't think the United States is that bad but I know that there are better education systems in other countries than the United States. It seems to me though that the next generations are getting dumber though and more internet dependent so it might be lower.
~Jamie-Ann
1.) Growing up in the public school system has taught me a whole lot, it came with various pros and cons. Some of the better aspects of my public school expirience included teachers that were phenomenal in the sense that they always seemed to know how to help a student out and always guided my studies without putting their opinion in too much. Another large pro is the free transportation along with the huge help it gives you on your social skills, interacting with other students and even learning boundaries. Now some of the negative cons about the public school system is bullying, of course even at a young age it happens and some public schools don't do enough too handle it with proper care, this goes along with the complete disregard as too how many standardized tests we take a year.
ReplyDelete2.) I have not had the opportunity of going to any other schools besides public however, my mother was home schooled up until college and she's one of the smartest people I know so it must have been somewhat good at teaching.
3.) If were superman the first thing I would change is the lessons children are taught from a young age, I would put emphasis on topics like social interaction between students , too often students make the mistake of not being socially active anymore, technology has put a back burner on that, and then when they get to an age where they have to use those essential life skills, they're lost and end up feeling anxiety and even depression over it when the reality is they just got dealt a bad hand of cards.
4.) Mr. Newman ( my 9th grade honors history teacher ) what I admired most about him is for being a middle aged man he was so openminded about almost everything, whatever the problem was, even if he never dealt with it himself, he would actually listen, and always seemed to know the right thing too say. He is also an active bird watcher, and I find that tremendously funny.
5.) According to the global study done, called Programme for International Student Assessment the U.S ranked 38th in math and 15th in reading proficiency, whether that has anything to do with our overall education system I'm not sure but it seems to me for one of the most powerful if not the most powerful country out there, we're pretty uneducated.