Tuesday, October 12, 2010
How did I not know this?
I really had no idea that our educational system has not been through any major changes from its time of invention! I had assumed, up until last week's discussion, that America's educational systems had went through the same social changes that our American society went through during the civil rights movement, the passing of the IDEA laws, and discrimination laws. When Ira said that the way we run our schools dates back all the way to President Jefferson's time, where the main reason for school was to "scape a few gems from the mess", and that many schools "failed 50& of the students because of our society's need for manual laborers," I was shocked I didn't know any of this. I also felt mislead not only for myself, but for everyone else in education programs in universities across America, who are spoon fed the idea that our TE and CEP classes are "so innovative" with talks of mainstreaming, technology in the classroom, and those engaging teaching techniques we are learning that will change the "old days of pencil pushing worksheet time". When in fact these changes only enrich a certain population of children's learning. Specifically, the kids, I think, who would have succeeded in the traditional academic form of schooling anyway. To me, many of the changes to the curriculum and to the philosophy of teaching styles DO NOT account for those children with any kind of special needs, because our education systems have not done the major changes needed to be a completely Universal Design for Learning environment. From reading Ira's blog, I learned that not even the most necessary schooling needs such as the building construction of many schools today are not UDL appropriate. So my perspective has changed and I now know that our education system is something that is outdated and not clearly effective because "our society has changed but our education systems has not." (Sarah said this) :)
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I was also in shock just as you were! I could not believe that our society is still sticking to the "old" ways. I always thought that it was ridiculous for school to start so early especially for teenagers. It just makes more sense to start school later rather than earlier. Especially sense in college most students can pick their own schedule and come and go as they please. I think that it should be the same for high school!
ReplyDeleteI also found this very interesting. I had no idea that education is still stuck in its old way but its interesting how the expectations keep getting higher and higher for students. I agree that many schools today are not UDL appropriate, a lot needs to be changed in the school system to fully meet students needs.
ReplyDeleteI had the same feelings when I heard this during or discussion in class. It was not so apparent to me before, but now I see that the last line of your blog is right. We are a society that is always changing yet for some reason we are not willing to make major changes in our education system. This is really is something that needs to change so that our education system is more beneficial to the students.
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing to hear that a student was wrongfully treated, or that a district was not following the rules. But when we learn that policies have not REALLY been enforced, and that society has not modified its guidelines, it is something that we take very seriously. In addition, it is extremely unacceptable that the world has made sooo many advancements, but that we have done nothing to advance our educational behaviors. As a future teacher, I know now what I have to do!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you- It makes me angry that no one before this has presented this information. The classes that I have taken generally make it seem as if our educational system has come such a long way when in fact it has not. I wish there were more people who would just tell us like it is as opposed to giving us these overly sugar coated, happy versions of something that needs a huge amount of work.
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