Maybe the Square Peg Will Do

This article highlights the point that while educational reformers all seem to clamour about what needs to be done to make teachers "better" or the system more efficient, they still want to slam a "square peg in a round hole",  or find more round pegs, rather than change the hole.  Some of the authors' suggestions make sense; teachers (especially at the elementary level) are expected to be practically superhuman, as they teach all subjects, social skills, and everything in between.  However, one of their solutions (which is to provide online tutoring for those that are struggling) don't take into account what I feel to be the largest problem overall with the educational system: we have children living in poverty, in extremely high amounts in comparison to other developed nations, and the numbers continue to rise.  If there are poor resources available at home, then telling them to hop online for a math tutoring session will do zero good.  Unfortunately, the problems with our economy and overall social structure are leaking into the educational system, and as long as those in charge turn a blind eye to the true issue at hand - the fast evaporation of the middle class - then there will be no forward movement in educational prowess. 

Changing Policy to End Anti-Gay Bullying

I applaud this author's straight-forward look at the issues surrounding gay bullying in the school system.  This is a sensitive topic, primarily because of the religious aspect, but should be extremely evident - all students have the right to feel safe and free from harrassment in schools, regardless of their race, creed, gender, or sexuality.  What has always been ironic to me about the issue of homosexuality with the religious right is how undeniably hypocritical it is; their religion preaches acceptance and love, yet the hate they spew towards those who do not follow their creed is disgusting.  There obviously needs to be laws protecting children from the nastiness of others, though unfortunately passing such laws will  be difficult given the current political climate. 

Studies Shed Light on How Cheating Impedes Learning

Everyone knows it's wrong to cheat.  Yet there is a surprising percentage of students who do.  The approach this article took was a bit different - outlining several studies that showed how those who cheat believe they will do as well or better the next time around, regardless of their ability to cheat.  It's as if they lie to themselves about the cheating, and are truly convinced that the score or grade they obtained was rightfully theirs.  This is such a strange way of thinking to me; I've never cheated on a test in my life, and I can't imagine doing so.  What would be the point of taking it?  But what I found most intriguing about one of the studies illustrated in this article was that the cheaters actually scored on average higher than their non-cheating counterparts when they no longer had access to the answers and so could not cheat.  This was not commented upon in the article, so maybe it was a fluke.  I hope to be aware of these situations as a teacher myself; perhaps using mostly short answer and essay tests, rather than multiple choice, or mixing up the questions so they don't correspond with a neighboring student.  I'll have to ponder it further.

US Catholic Schools Seek Ways to Solve Financial Challenges

As a former Catholic school attendee, I am not surprised to see that the recent economic downturn has greatly effected enrollment.  In a time when every dime counts, and public education (though much maligned) is free, that extra $4,000 a term per child comes in handy.  I do find it a bit interesting that the Church hasn't stepped in much to help, from the tone of the article.  But I suppose the faithful will still attend mass on Sunday, and the indoctrination continues at home on a daily basis, so perhaps they aren't so worried.  In a time when there are voices speaking louder and louder for charter and private schools, with public schools' budgets being slashed to ribbons, perhaps they are just biding their time. 

Colleges Play Catch-up with HEA

It's nice to know that through all the hubbub of standardized testing scores for children, the future educators are not being left out.  This article details how a new report will be emerging in October of this year that rates teacher education programs, with a large emphasis being placed on - you guessed it - test scores.  Interesting, since that (to me) has little to do with whether or not the prospective teacher will be a great instructor.  Maybe I'm just feeling jaded as I recently had my brush with the ORELA and found it to be a rather unpleasant experience.  But again the government is running into the problem of evaluating the ability of teachers through yet another skewed lens.  It would be as if a panel were judging the quality of a singer on their pitch accuracy alone, and failing to account for the wide array of factors needed for a "great" singer.  Perhaps someday, there will be a method by which my future profession can be tangibly measured.  For now, we'll continue to fumble in the dark throwing random data around, hoping the target will be hit once or twice.

Scholars Say Causes of Stuttering Are Multiple and Interconnected

There is new light being shed on the possible causation of stuttering.  Researchers are now finding that it is highly hereditary, and while most children do grow out of it, there are roughly one percent that persist into adulthood.  While the initial instinct for a teacher of a stuttering student is to encourage them to "slow down", Tommie L. Robinson Jr, the director of the Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders, insists that teachers should instead model fluid, easy talking.  I find this quite informative, as I will most likely encounter a child effected by this disorder at some point in my career.  I haven't heard much about it, but as the article points out, with the film "The King's Speech" up for a dozen Oscars this year perhaps more attention and understanding will be brought to the disorder. 

On Rhetorical Battlegrounds, "Reform" Proves Potent Weapon

The author illustrates the importance of using the "buzz" words that become popular with any issue in politics.  It was interesting to see how both parties lept on the reform bandwagon, using vocabulary such as "the establishment/bureaucracy", "reform", "status quo", and "putting students first" to prove points on wildly opposite spectrums.  The use of rhetoric in politics is nothing new; in fact, since the days mudslinging became popular it is about all they do.  Hiding true agendas beneath shiny catch phrases that snatch public awareness and fire up personal opinions is the basis for most political pandering.  The attack and defense on the current educational system is no different.  While both sides of the arena desperately attempt to make clear their intentions on improving education for students, it is their actions and policies that must be put under the microscope. This is why learning critical thinking while in school is paramount, so that future generations can peer through the haze and search for facts to come to their own conclusions rather than simply gobble down the ego satisfying nuggets tossed at will by their chosen party.  For example: Republicans Tom Luna and C.L. Otter tout their "Students Come First" proposal, which would increase class sizes, limit teachers' collective bargaining rights, institute merit pay and virtual education.  How does this put students first?  Why don't you try increasing funding to urban schools, after school programs, and additional technology in classrooms?  But it sounds pretty, and if you oppose it, then by virtue of its title you are not supporting students.  The Democrats are little better; President Obama's Race to the Top speeches are rife with statements that bemoan our acceptance of "status quo, even when the status quo isn't good."  My guess is neither party really knows what needs to be done to properly "reform" education; they need to speak more with teachers currently in the classroom, and less to their administrators and special interest groups.