Quote 1- "Some go further and fake an address, as she reveals, ideally in an upscale catchment area that has an excellent zoned school (she names a few examples in primarily white neighborhoods) and then they prep their kids for IQ tests and interviews. If they want to boost their child's chances even more, they pay for consulting services from private agencies that give them counseling on how to get their children into schools or programs for the talented and gifted." (Kozol, p.137)
This doesn't seem to surprise me one bit. I can see many parents doing this just to get their child in a better school system. I might even do the same as a parent, but only to a certain extent. I feel that our children should get the best education possible and if a school cannot provide that for my child why send them to that school? If there are teachers there that are well-educated then they can provide a great education for your child. As far as prepping for IQ tests and interviews, I don't think that children should be pushed so hard in order to get into a better school, just to see parents satisfied. Go to the local school nearest your home, maybe that school can benefit from your talents and gifts.
Quote 2- "Some people blame these racial differences primarily upon the values systems of black children and their parents. The inequalities in educational provision that we give, or do not give, these children from the starting-gate are given less attention."(Kozol, p. 141)
Just hearing this quote about children of different backgrounds are given less attention from the starting-gate. How can this be, that students are given an equal opportunity based on their race? Maybe it is because of the school they go to and the opportunities at these schools aren't there for each child compared to other districts. Just because one family may have different values from other families, does that mean they should be discriminated against, especially if a parents values aren't even the child's? One should not base where a child should start educationally based upon their value systems.
Quote 3- "By the time they enter schools like these, the results of all their prior years of educational denial are not easily reversed. Overcrowding and distasteful physical surroundings and large class size have their obvious effects as well. Violence, when it breaks out from time to time, is hardly a surprise." (Kozol, p. 142)
It is sad to hear that these kinds of schools actually exist, but as upsetting as it is, it is true. These schools really exist and are serious issues in our educational world. How can a child learn if there are overcrowded classrooms and buildings? Let alone there being physical distractions, such as water leaking into a classroom or broken desks. It's sad to see other schools getting brand new computers while other schools can't even afford to have students sit at a desk. I understand this book was written a couple years ago and some of the stories in the book are a little older than that, but it doesn't change some of the things still happening in our nations schools today. We need to come together as a society and help these schools, in order to create a equal educational opportunity for all.
Quote 4- "Thirteen of the 15 teachers were provisionals, which meant they were not fully certified to teach. Supplies were scarce. Three of my classes don't have textbooks, said the principal. I have to fight and scratch for everything we get." (Kozol, p. 143)
Wow! How can this many teachers in one school building not be certified to teach? I just can't even understand how this can happen. How can a school district be so poor that they can only heir teachers that aren't even qualified for the job? It makes you wonder if these kids are getting a education at all or maybe it is the opposite end of the spectrum and they may not be certified, but they are extremely "qualified." It's sad to see that classes can't even afford the resources they need while other schools are given everything to them. Why can't we spread the wealth and as I like to say, "share the love!"
Quote 5- "You see," he said with a slight stammer in his voice, "I don't have the least idea of where my life is heading, and these questions that you're asking make me scared." (Kozol, p. 147)
This was a quote that struck me. It was when Kozol was talking to a group of boys about their future careers when a fight broke out right in front of them. They weren't phased a bit, but rather continued the conversation. Many of these students hadn't even thought of college or a career. When I read the quote above of what one student told Kozol, it made me upset. How can a student, so late in his educational career, not have options or at least be ready for the next step, such as college. This just goes to show that there is much inequality in our world. Students aren't given the same options or led in the right direction as others. We, as teachers, need to help our students open their minds to the future and provide guidance in their travels.
Quote 6- "Schools find meaningful relationships with businesses, universities, youth organizations, service agencies, and faith-based organizations." (Anthology, p. 165)
I found this quote to be reassuring in a way because schools are finding these partnerships to help them. These partnerships help the schools with keeping children in schools and giving them other opportunities outside of the classroom. These relationships are so powerful in the success of our schools and each individual child as well. They provide funding, after school programs, and open several other opportunities for our children. I know that CCSU is partnered with several schools in helping promote a positive education. Students from CCSU are helping out in various ways in these schools. It is a great way to benefit the helper as well as everyone in the school community. I feel that all school districts should have these meaningful relationships with surrounding places of interest.
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI share the same feelings you do about the quote #4. As a student taking classes in the education field, I could not believe that schools were hiring teachers that were not certified. I think that it’s important for each school to do a background check on every faculty they hire. Teachers need to know what they are doing especially when it comes to academics. If these teachers are not certified, then I am hoping they have experience with children and teaching in some way. Teachers that are not provided with textbooks and materials for their classes must be very frustrated. How are they supposed to teach without the resources they need?
Allison,
ReplyDeleteI guess a motto they might have is, where there is a will, there is a way. They have to struggle without these resources to try and give their students a equal education to others. I am more than willing to give up my money for books in the University in order to help buy resources for those students in need. Maybe even sell back my books to them, because we get the short end of the string when we sell them back at CCSU anyways. Raising money is a big to-do, not only for books and resources, but for other functions in a school. There should be better programs out there that can help with the fundraising aspect of raising money. More importantly, we must try and find a way to give these children a positive, well-rounded education no matter the situation.
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI guess if teachers are devoted then there is always a way to teach, even if the conditions are not what they wanted. I think that it is important for schools to raise money to buy the supplies they need. Government funding is not providing them with enough money, so schools should try and raise money themselves. One suggestion I thought of, was that suburban schools should raise money for other schools in need. This would bring communities together and help each other out. Or they could come up with an agreement to share resources.