ED 701
In reading Darling-Hammond closing chapter, and reflecting on her policy prescriptions, I made many connections to my own classroom.
These policies could have a large impact on education, as many school districts and teachers are hoping to make a change in order to be a part of 21st century learning. If goals become more meaningful, students would be more engaged and interested as learning would relate to the real world. Accountability systems and adequate resources would provide teachers with the tools they need to help their students be successful inside the classroom, and out. Strong standards and supports would keep expectations high for students, and allow teachers to help them meet those standards. Lastly, having a school that supports teacher and student learning encourages all people to be life-long learners, and really sets students up with skills they need to be successful in the "real world". Currently, many schools do not have adequate resources, and are not focused on student learning. If we were to turn our education system around and fully implement these policies, I believe that we would be better preparing our students for their futures. John Dewey said "What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, that must we want for all children in the community. Any other ideal for our schools is narrow and unlovely; acted upon, it destroys our democracy”. This quote perfectly sums up what education is like in the United States, without Darling-Hammond's 5 key policy elements. We discuss education like all students have access to an EQUAL education - but that is completely not the case. Until we can make schools equal in ways of funding of resources, and support/professional development for teachers, we will not truly be setting all students up EQUALLY for a successful future. At my own school in Benicia Unified School District, I believe that they offer a lot of support and resources for teachers, which allow us to best help our students. On the other hand, I teach in a "well-off", middle/upper-class suburban neighborhood. Our school is not very diverse. In some way, we may be perpetuating these "unfair" and "unequal" education systems. I'm not sure of the right answer, or how to make these 5 key elements a reality. For now, I try to use the resources and supports I do have to make my classroom the most successful place it can be.
8 Comments
Kirstin De La Cruz
11/22/2015 11:26:10 am
I agree with your comments about feeling lucky to work in a district where resources and support are readily available. Although I agree with much of what Darling-Hammond had to say, I also think her vision is that of an idealist, and there is and will always be plenty of obstacles that stand in the way of moving from the educational system we have to the one that we want.
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Dina
11/22/2015 12:05:36 pm
It's wonderful to work with a school or district that provides the necessary support for teachers. I think it helps teachers to have confidence knowing that they are not alone. Students feel the difference
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Lori
11/22/2015 01:19:43 pm
I agree with your comments about resources being inequitably distributed. I also agree that we can only use the resources and supports we have to do our best. I find it reassuring that there is so much good teaching (that is cost-free) that we can do to enrich our students' classroom experiences.
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Jane
11/22/2015 06:32:15 pm
I think it is interesting that you can see that you are perhaps perpetuating the "unfair" and "unequal" system that is currently in the US, however, instead of perhaps being made to feel guilty, it is important that you do what you can to change the system overall. I also see that Darling-Hammond is fighting an uphill battle as there is so much more than the educational system in the States that needs to be taken apart in order for the country to be fair and equal.
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Marie Zorn
11/23/2015 01:21:44 pm
It's an interesting dilemma having unequal resources for our schools and how it affects the teachers and students. I remember a students saying how they wanted to come to Harvest because we had more guest speakers and had a 3D printer (all which cost money). Other schools in our area aren't doing this and I am sure money has a lot to do with why. I feel grateful but I understand that guilt you are feeling too as we read Hammond's book.
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In my household there are three school districts. My school district is very wealthy, my son and daughter attend a school district with very few resources (fund raising for everything) and my husband works in another school district a mostly disadvantaged population with quite a bit of money coming in because the students are low income. Three school districts within an hour of each other and yet all the teachers are on different pay scales, some schools have computers for everyone (mine) and some have three ipads for a class of 24 (my husband's), my own children rarely get to use the chromebooks because they are shared by so many classes. It defies logic.
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Roger
11/24/2015 11:41:14 am
Also being a Benicia teacher, I see the conundrum regarding resources and equity. What seems to be lacking is a unified vision. Resources are hard to figure out how to obtain since most purse-strings remain clouded in mystery. There is no clear unifying k-12 change plan that I've seen.
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Kim
11/24/2015 03:16:03 pm
I think every teacher, in every school, have the need for resources which would benefit their students. If those needs are met and resources are available it will only benefit the education system as a whole.
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