http://www.thefrogblog.net/2009/07/20/traditional-education-perpetuates-inequality/ Thoughts from the Leapfrog Learning Center in Shrewsbury Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:49:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.thefrogblog.net/2009/07/20/traditional-education-perpetuates-inequality/comment-page-1/#comment-3390 Laura Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:49:42 +0000 http://www.thefrogblog.net/?p=213#comment-3390 I absolutely agree that public school--and in general most schools--give affluent children the advantage compared to their less "wealthy" peers. What I find mind boggling is that in the state of NJ, they are talking about increasing the standards for high school education. Okay, great, I went to high school in NJ and found it to be less than spectacular. I agree that yes, standards should be raised; however, what I find problematic is that the state thinks that somehow, it can regulate education so that a student in Princeton and Rumson can receive the same curriculum standards and tests as a student in Newark. So when Johnny in Fair Haven takes algebra, he needs to pass an algebra test devised by the state while another student in Newark will also be required to take the same test. Will it work? I don't think so. After co-teaching in a developmental reading program, I saw many students from urban areas who will most likely, fail at least one class, possibly a semester, maybe even out of college altogether. So now while we can say, "Look we're a success!," students aren't making it through the university. To me, it's not just a question of resources and highly-qualified teachers. It is a question of inquiry, confidence, imagination, and early childhood education. I enjoyed reading this blog! Thank you, Laura I absolutely agree that public school–and in general most schools–give affluent children the advantage compared to their less “wealthy” peers. What I find mind boggling is that in the state of NJ, they are talking about increasing the standards for high school education. Okay, great, I went to high school in NJ and found it to be less than spectacular. I agree that yes, standards should be raised; however, what I find problematic is that the state thinks that somehow, it can regulate education so that a student in Princeton and Rumson can receive the same curriculum standards and tests as a student in Newark. So when Johnny in Fair Haven takes algebra, he needs to pass an algebra test devised by the state while another student in Newark will also be required to take the same test.
Will it work? I don’t think so. After co-teaching in a developmental reading program, I saw many students from urban areas who will most likely, fail at least one class, possibly a semester, maybe even out of college altogether. So now while we can say, “Look we’re a success!,” students aren’t making it through the university.
To me, it’s not just a question of resources and highly-qualified teachers. It is a question of inquiry, confidence, imagination, and early childhood education.
I enjoyed reading this blog!
Thank you,
Laura

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