Does anyone have the patience needed to totally reform the educational system in U.S.? What struck me the most about the readings is the amount of time those countries invested in their education system. I know this is easier done with the type of governments those countries have. But they were still able to get everyone to unite under one vision. I was impressed at the ability of these countries to hold onto that focus for so long. I am not sure this can ever be accomplished in the U.S. There is way too much turnover in our political system to maintain focus for this long period of time. Does the U.S. need to make those kinds of changes? I am not so sure the education system is broken beyond the point of repair.
If the education system is truly in need of a complete overhaul, then there needs to be a clear plan developed. The democrat/republican bull needs to be set aside otherwise the system to continue down the same path. To accomplish this change will require a committee beyond anything we have seen in this country. It will require time work out the bugs and collect enough information just to determine if the plan is working. So far in this country no one has the time or the focus to let a policy run its course to truly see what worked and what didn’t.
The system broken or not will not likely change any time soon. I know for me this class has got me thinking about what I can do to help students to become better at solving problem. I am going to take a look at the quizzes and test I currently use and see what kind of changes can be made. If anyone has some good ideas I would be happy to listen.
Lew,
ReplyDeleteI prefer to think of this educational reform as a “revolution.” I would like to keep the things about education that are great and get rid of the bad! We don’t need to be driven by politics, rather implementing research driven improvements like more education for teachers. I would much rather teach learning as a process, search as research, and not have to focus on an end result such as a test to measure. Learning projects could form over months or maybe even years. Students would have a completely different way of approaching the learning process.
Lew, don’t get bummed out…It’s just a revolution. Read on to enjoy some of the lyrics of one of my favorite John Lennon songs, Revolution.
Peace, Merry Christmas
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out?
Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?
You say you've got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We are doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is, brother, you'll have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?...
Okay Merry and Lew,
ReplyDeleteWe have gone from Peter, Paul and Mary to the Beatles. Good choices both times! I agree that we need to make this a non-political group amde up of people who are willing to take the time and energy to make these changes. I also wonder what would happen if we got some of the old timers out of office how much that would help. I get tired of hearing that the system worked 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago for them, so why do we need to make the changes now? It seems that while people know the world has changed, the schools are supposed to stay the same? Really?? EVOLVE!! I have always said that the peole making these silly statements whether it is a parent or law maker should come and spend some time in our classrooms teaching, not just observing!
Your post reminds me that if we are looking to cause change, the best place to do it is within your own classroom. It is important to remember that the changes you can make are small (and limited by the system) and probably won't have an overarching effect, but they will have an effect with the kids that you are working with. Change is tough for everyone, but we all need to do our part.
ReplyDelete