Tracking, Oakes

 After reading the article, I thought back to how schools I had attended grouped its students. In

my middle school, there were three classes. One class was for those who had difficulty focusing but were still capable. Next, was the class I was in that was full of average kids and few above average students. The third and final class, concluded of those who excelled in the previous grades and were the smartest students in the grade. This form of tracking seemed to be working as my classes never felt unappreciated. We always had homework, semi-complicated projects, weekly quizzes, etc. However, the aforementioned students who excelled in the previous years that were placed in higher level courses, had roughly the same workload, yet higher difficulty and a higher standard.

    What is important to note, is that the article, and my own personal experience in school,  stresses that there is a, “goal of provid­ing high-quality, relevant education to all students.” This ideology seemed to be present in my middle school as classes where an education level that was  relevant to the collective intelligence of the class.

    The article was very sensical and straightforward, however, there is one aspect of the article that I do not agree with. The aspect of the article that I do not agree with is that, “More over, the nature of these differences suggests that students who are placed in high-ability groups have access to far richer schooling experiences than other students.” This statement implies that students who are not placed in the highest level courses, will not have access to richer schooling experiences. Although, I understand what the author is trying to convey. It is also true that both my brother and myself and many people I know were placed in course levels that were not the bottom of the course load, but were certainly not at the top, and we all were accepted to college on the first attempt. Thus, it is possible that students who are not enrolled in higher level courses can face great difficulty enriching their education, it does not seem to be more often than not as the article suggest.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/108013/chapters/What-Tracking-Is-and-How-to-Start-Dismantling-It.aspx  

    

Blog Post 10 "Citizenship in School: Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome”

     This post will be a reflection on Racheal B’s post. Much like Racheal’s experience in school concerning the mentally challenged, my interaction with the students grew less and less through the progression of schooling. Like Racheal, my elementary school classes were integrated with students of all types. However, middle school was not as integrated. Instead, my school had regular classes, and then a class with students that needed more attention. The students with special needs would attend this class but only if they wanted to. Everyone has good days and bad days and the mentally handicapped are no exception, thus, they only attended this class on their good days. The only time the special needs students were fully integrated was in gym, but even that was understandably strenuous on the special needs students  at times with all loudness of the gym once everyone got to jumping around and playing basketball that always ended with someone getting hit in the face or what not. As high school came around, much like Rachel, my school had a program called, “The Options Program”, that was solely made up of students with special needs. However, when the special needs students one to to class, they were joined by a student in a program that was full of student volunteers that would take time out of gym, lunch, or leave a class early to assist the special needs students in class. Overall, like Racheal, I do think special needs students should have the opportunity to be in an inclusion classroom because it really does benefit everyone. The only problem I could see is if the teacher is not aware of how to interact with a student with special needs, in which that case could yield an overseer or something of this nature to stay with the student with special needs from class to class.  

https://library.down-syndrome.org/en-us/research-practice/04/1/integration-down-syndrome-mainstream-schools-teachers-knowledge-needs-attitudes-expectations/

Separate and Unequal and The Problem We All Live With

Quote 1 : In, Separate and Equal, by Bob Herbert 

“Schools are no longer legally segregated, but because of residential patterns, housing discrimination, economic disparities and long-held custom, they most emphatically are in reality.” 

     This quote is a prime example of how yes, the legality of segregation states that schools are not to be segregated. However, this has proven to be almost irrelevant as each area has a specific set of individuals based upon the area in which the school is located. Proving that yes, schools are not segregated by law, but instead by environment which is articulated in the podcast, The Problem We All Live With, by Nikole Hannah Jones, stating, “the zip code is the anchor that traps you.” 

Quote 2 : In, Separate and Equal, by Bob Herbert 

“If you really want to improve the education of poor children, you have to get them away from learning environments that are smothered by poverty. This is being done in some places, with impressive results. An important study conducted by the Century Foundation in Montgomery County, Md., showed that low-income students who happened to be enrolled in affluent elementary schools did much better than similarly low-income students in higher-poverty schools in the county.” 

     This is a longer quote, however each part is key to understanding that placing kids that are natively from an impoverished area, and enrolling them in an affluent school has statistically proven to benefit the students, at least academically. However, in tandem with the podcast, The Problem We All Live With, by Nikole Hannah Jones mentions how going to a nicer school and fitting in/ feeling like you belong in the school you are in, are two different things. 

Quote 3: The Problem We All Live With, By by Nikole Hannah Jones. 

“One of the best district of Missouri was just five miles away. Why not send them there? Well, if you don't want students to leave your district, one way to keep them is to make leaving inconvenient. Make them ride a long distance to school everyday. The Normandy officials deny that’s why they chose Francis Howell.”

     This quote is a prime example of how the school board actively attempted to deter students from leaving their native school to attend a nicer school in order to better themselves. Making it hard to leave their school was an aim to keep students in their native school, however, nearly a thousand students were willing to endure the half hour commute. This made me think of my high school days. Just like these students, I left my hometown school that had a subpar high school and took a bus at 5:45 that arrived at school at 7:45, all to better my education. Thus, it can be done, but with a bit of luck and willingness to make it work. 

https://www.fhsdschools.org

 The article, “In The Service Of What?, by Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer, is a very informative article that stresses very important aspects of Service Learning Project. For instance, the Service Learning Project aims to, “make[s] students active participants in service projects that aim to respond to the needs of the community while furthering the academic

goals of students.” This modern approach to learning and the involvement of the community is something that should have present since day one. However, not all service learning project are created equal. 

    For instance, the article talks about a classroom run by a Mr. Johnson who feels the most beneficial  service learning is going out into the community and helping first hand. This approach is engaging and allows for the students to, “experience the excitement and joy of learning while using the community as a classroom” (pg 3).  

     Where as, Ms. Adams makes her service learning more intellectual through statistical approach. She teaches her students the reasons for which the homeless are where they are, the economic gaps between the rich and the poor, and the impact of homelessness on children. 

     These two different approaches to educate their students in a way that allows for, “reflection on matters of social concern, and opportunities for interdisciplinary study linked to curricular goals, ” is very impressive. This article made me think of the teachers at my school that taught second grade. My teacher was a munch more whimsical and outgoing, yet, still managed to read to us and teach us all the necessary material. However, the other second grade teacher that my bother had was much more strict and it was much more stressful environment. Yet, she also taught her students all the necessary information that the curriculum called for. 

     In conclusion, the way students learn will not all be equal for there are Linguistic Learners, 

naturalist, the Musical or Rhythmic inclined, kinesthetic, etc. All these types of learning benefit a students individual needs. Thus, the different approaches to the service learning are somewhat controversial. However, if a program is developed that is able to  touch upon each different learning style, this would be the most efficacious program. 

https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/teaching-through-community-engagement/

Option 1

    The article, “Stacey Abrams Didn’t Play it Safe. Neither Do These Female Candidates written by Susan Chirra and Matt Flegenheimer, referrers to how women are pressing, powerful figures in politics. Although, it was not always true that women had the ability to play such substantial roles in politics. For example, “They want to run and win on their own terms. Some are coming for their own party. And many are not waiting their turn, as past generations were mostly content to do” (pg 1).  This quote is exemplary of how women are no longer abiding by the unwritten rules of the past that require a female to be self-contained and not fight for what they believe in. This example reminded me of the text, “Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us,” due to the fact of taking control of the future but taking the unbeaten path and not accepting concepts for what have been considered societal norms for quite some time. Having the position to serve the people, but not being accepted by others, is exactly what happened to a proud Boston City Council member, Ayanna Pressley. So much in fact, she, “ had to spend the first days of this campaign just defending my right to run” (A. Pressley). Thus, it is also true women are not accepted by all at a first glance because of sexism or skepticism due to another inhibiting factor. However, progress is being made as Ayanna is the first black women to serve on Boston’s City Council.      

    The complementive article in the assignment, Jill Soloway on Donald Trump, Locker Rooms and Toxic Masculinity, is a eye opening article. The author of this text clearly has a problem with the President of the America, and rightfully so. Our President is certainly not the most well mannered, but he is after all, our president, which demands respect. Being said, the focus of Jill Soloway’s article revolves around locker-room talk, and President Trump’s despairing quote considering a woman and her genitalia. This, “locker-room-talk,” is what deeply resonates with Jill. In the article, she refers to how it is unacceptable for society to be blind to the fact that boys will not always be boys and men do not have to act the way they do. What I found interesting, and eye opening, is that she feels that men do not only talk negatively about women in the locker rooms, but everywhere. It is discouraging and disappointing how negative her view is on men, but it comes from evidence and experience, which must be respected.

     This text can be related to a text read for class, “ Safe Spaces”, forwarded by Barbara M. Newman. This text refers to accepting those in the classroom who are not straight. However, it also talks about how outward influences such as parents, religion, shows on Television, etc, substantially influencing children. When I was a child, the president was George Walker Bush. Now President Bush was not a bad person, but was however, not politically wise and the country suffered because of this. Deeming it safe to say, he was not really a role model. Who was a role model, was President Barack Hussein Obama. President Obama was an articulate, intelligent, quality man who provided the American people with a role model as he was respectful and engaging. Granted, his policies are controversy, he stood a proper presidential figure, the same cannot be said for our current president. Thus, the vernacular of men must be taken much more seriously and along the mindset of what every parent tells their kid(s) when he or she downloaded Instagram, “Don’t post or comment anything you wouldn't want your grandparents to see.”  This mindset instills the ideal that if something Is inappropriate, discouraging, racist, sexist, or otherwise, it is not to be said for it serves no purpose but to cause pain and animosity. Having the mindset of only saying what would be acceptable in front of your grandparents would a create a much safer, welcoming environment.

    

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/03/31/masculinity-traditional-toxic-trump-mens-rights/99830694/

LGBT Terms

1. Term: Top-Surgery
   =  noun : this term refers to surgery for the construction of a male-type chest or breast augmentation for a female-type chest.

Website = https://caitlynjennerfoundation.org/connect/

2. two-spirit – noun : is an umbrella term traditionally used by Native American people to recognize individuals who possess qualities or fulfill roles of both genders.

Website = https://www.pinterest.com/pin/153826143495855426/

3. Term: ze / zir / “zee”, “zerr” or “zeer”/

 =  alternate pronouns that are gender neutral and preferred by some trans* people. They replace “he” and “she” and “his” and “hers” respectively. Alternatively some people who are not comfortable/do not embrace he/she use the plural pronoun “they/their” as a gender neutral singular pronoun. 

Website = https://essaywritingstore.com/blog/essay-samples/argumentative-essay-sample

Safe Spaces

     The excerpt from,Safe Spaces, written by Annemarie Vaccaro, Gerri August, and Megan S. Kennedy, is a very informative piece. As an aspiring teacher, I realize, gladly, that the days are over where we unrecognized students who are gay, transgender, bisexual and other forms of sexuality. It is important to help those who differentiate from the once normal sexual orientations. Having respect for the gay and other sexual orientations at this point in the modern society is so valued, it is as if it is unconstitutional to disagree or hate on the gay community. I am fortunate enough to not have met a single person who is against gay marriage. Everyone I know is accepting of the gays and have no problem being around them. This text indulges into how the classroom accepts, not tolerates or accommodates, but accepts, expects even, for kids to be different from the straight. 

     In the last article we read, “Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us”, I was able to parallel Safe Spaces in which both articles exclaim that what our children are taught outside of the classroom contribute to inside the walls of the school. In regards to Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us, If students are watching cartoons such as Popeye where a higher sense of patriotism and racism are present, we will undoubtedly see thee qualities as they spill into the classroom. On a similar note, the author of, Safe Spaces, mentioned how the outward influences are present in the classroom, particularly religion.  Being raised Catholic, when the LGBT started to really gain their due respect, I had to come upon it myself to decide that I was going to accept them because the Church does not. I truly do not believe there is anything wrong with being gay or transgender because I really could not care less what others want to do with their lives and it would be incredibly selfish and arrogant to try to control or care about someone who lives their life without hurting others.

     Another text that, Safe Space,  can be compared to is Aria, by Richard Rodriquez. This text emphasized the importance of changing in order to be accepted. On the complete opposite of the spectrum, the gays, finally, no longer are crushed by the once overwhelmingly powerful societal norms such as remaining in the closet and come out after high school or even college, or never in some cases. Now, it is encouraged and completely acceptable to come out whenever one feels comfortable. Bullying was present in my schools, I mean I was bullied even as a straight kid, but with the recent push for anti bullying and enforced consequences, not to mention the fact that bullying those who are not straight is utterly wrong and unacceptable, progress is present. 

     A recent study from UCLA, illustrates the transgender suicide rate as forty-percent, statistically proving that it makes no statistical difference as to whether people recognize a being as transgender or not, suggesting a major problem at this time. Especially, given that the normal suicide rate is four percent. Although bullying does not seem to play a major role in the suicide rates, statistically, it certainly should not be allowed or tolerated because although the evidence does not suggest bullying as the main factor for such Hugh suicide rates, it make you wonder what is? Upon further research, the reason for bullying not playing a major role in the extremely high suicide rate is well demonstrated by this study. As follows, the black community that is looked upon as a being subject to racism and bullied endlessly, have a lower suicide rate than the white. When I first read this I was surprised, but it still didn’t seem relevant to the transgender folks, thus, proving to be very complicated topic. Bullying may not be the main cause of suicide for these folks, None the less, an issue not to be taken lightly, as the text suggest. 

https://www.stopbullying.gov