Re: [UC] Dropouts and adult literacy"It's as real a look at inner city schools
under No Child Left Behind as I have ever come across."
The paper printed with "No child left behind" should be recycled and turned
into useful toilet paper!
It was another decade long set-up for privatization of public education and
busting unions. This little "experiment" was never intended to help any school
districts. First, it ignored and obscured the fundamental funding problem and
the long term issues those cause. Secondly, it rallied anger against the
schools and teachers who like the kids are victims of poor policy. It was
ridiculous since the beginning.
Like other systems dealing with people, the professionals, teachers, should
have the support for professional development like other professionals have
during their earlly development. No child Left Behind encouraged none of what
is needed while taking the opposite punitive approach.
Consider the average length of service for a public school teacher. Consider
the number of teachers that leave after 1 or 2 years of service. We have a lot
of idealistic young adults popping out of college each year but Philadelphia
constantly needs "special certification" as so many flee the profession.
Obviously the system is broken. (No support, no back-up professional services.
poor morale as you use your own money for basic supplies, denial of overcrowded
classrooms, denial of behavioral issues which result, angry parents while
society treats you like crap.)
Gee whiz, why do young public school teachers always show up so quickly waiting
the tables at upscale restaurants? No child left behind orders a speed test
before the tires are put on the race car!
The American people were sold this idea that decade after decade, teachers are
doing shots and internet poker in gold covered classrooms while Johnny was
ignored. Standardized national tests for everyone would produce miracles and
catch all the lazy teachers with a simple explanation for student outcomes.
Exactly what was expected happened. Some districts sacrificed education to
teach to the test. Vital extra curricular programs, special ed, and gifted
students were sacrificed- Massaging data was needed.
Corporate America got the new data they wanted. Privatization and union busting
will be offered to the American people with renewed intensity. 'Cause this
brilliant and punitive, no child left behind, didn't improve anything.
I hope people watched the show you recommended and take the time and make the
effort to consider and understand the issues and policy direction for public
education. I think the education of each generation (not only Johnny) is one
of the most important issues for citizens in a democratic society. I think
citizens in such democracies agree with me.
I look forward to catching, Hard Times at Douglas High School.
Best,
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: Wilma de Soto
To: Glenn ; UnivCity listserv
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 6:38 PM
Subject: Re: [UC] Dropouts and adult literacy
Glenn,
If you REALLY want to know want my job is like, don't miss "Hard Times at
Douglass High School" on HBO tonight at 9:00PM. It's as real a look at inner
city schools under No Child Left Behind as I have ever come across. Hopefully,
it would make people a bit more sympathetic as to what teaching is like under
this ridiculous law.
On 6/26/08 9:08 AM, "Glenn" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/18554429.html
This is an interesting article about drop-outs and an adult literacy
program. It gives some good information and statistics to consider. At the
end, consider how the federal funding has been slashed.
I believe in a different model to address Philadelphia's serious adult
literacy problem.
Small community-based programs are needed to help overcome barriers for
literacy program completion. Literacy and employment help are the best core
services to be delivered in neighborhoods, but outcomes would improve
tremendously if a thorough assessment of a participants real life problems was
also completed at baseline. Then matching additional intervention (through
high quality referrals) is done with continued follow-up.
The baseline assessments, regular case managed follow-up, and core and
beginning employment and literacy services need to occur in the neighborhoods.
Both trust and the message of planning, testing and alternative actions must be
developed by the individual before the education goals can be reached.
(Curriculum needs to be different from high school too. I like to begin each
class with the newspaper, critical thinking, and discussion. It warms up the
brain for fractions and prepositions.)
Of course, the network of supporting social services is in shambles in poor
urban cities, so that it is a never ending responsibility for the case manager
to develop and investigate referral partnerships. Social service systems force
people through a program without any of them dealing with the whole person with
complex problems. Our social service systems set up too many individuals for
another failure while misleading the general population. Like the bridges and
other infrastructure, the social service delivery systems are mostly broken.
I think too many people believe that individuals who drop out or develop
mental health problems at any time in their lives are beyond hope. The fact is
that the interventions are stripped to the bone. Society uses "magical
thinking" when we believe a lifetime of accumulated problems born in poverty
can be addressed with a series of magic bullets.
I personally don't believe that this society has the will or belief that
all citizens should have a chance at life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. We will not address public education, in the first place, nor do we
have any desire to ameliorate the individual hardships from our sacrosanct mean
spirited foolish policy directions.
Just my opinion,
Glenn
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.4.1/1519 - Release Date: 6/25/2008
4:13 PM
