As an educator and parent of public school students, I definitely see the need for school reform on many (scratch that, EVERY) level. I understand that change is not easy (or necessarily cheap), but we owe our students more. As someone who grew up in a time when writing your times tables ten times each was the way to memorize them and getting to clean the chalkboard after class was a special treat, I found it a little challenging to learn how to teach this 21st Century generation of children. I basically had to relearn all the content areas in a new way, when I didn't really see anything wrong with the old way. I realize now that the students I'm teaching are growing up in a world where knowing the bare minimum isn't enough. Those factory jobs that just required that you have a high school diploma and be 18 that were so plentiful when I was growing up are basically no more. Students have to really have a deep understanding of the world they are living in and the tools that are used in it in order to be a successful, productive citizen.
My little diatribe has come about as a result of an article I was reading on PBSteachers.org entitled "What Does School Reform Look Like?" by Andy Carvin. Mr. Carvin was preparing to attend an EuCon conference in which this very question would be discussed. Mr. Carvin's opinion seems to be that instruction should be "inquiry driven and focused on creating 21st century citizens" and I agree whole-heartedly. It's a really interesting article which touches on everyone, especially those in the educational field. I hope you read it and ponder the question for yourself... Let me know what your answer would be...
I don't want to say "I agree" so i will say I understand...our students and children need much more academically than we ever needed and they need it earlier than we did. Technology has come and stepped everything up a couple of notches. Today if you know of a person that is academically proficient and lack computer skills, there is a problem. Kindergarteners have computer classes or lab time. That used to be only in high school (I just gave away how prehistoric I am :~)) I have a daughter that entered the plant last year (she is an engineer) the simple apply, interview and hire is gone. We are seeing the beginning phases of school reform in America and when its done I hope we are prepared for the changes.
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