Teaching and Critical Pedagogy
SCHOOL
AND SOCIETY
ES 395
____________________________
"Skim, Scan, and Copy" Materials: Chapter 6
In this chapter, we start digging into the politics of education. What you must start to explore is that there are a lot of people fighting for power in education. Question is, how does this affect us as teachers?
As Spring mentions, there are also a lot of choices out there when it comes to schooling, such as Charter Schools, Homeschooling, etc. Question is, why do these 'choices' exist? Is it a good thing to have 'choice' when it comes to schooling and learning? In addition, who should get to decide what is taught and how? Who should control the 'education chair'? More importantly, who does in reality?
Skim, scan and copy material from the following sources:
- Explore the pro's and con's of homeschooling by looking for articles and checking out homeschooling websites . What do you find? What is homeschooling about? What are some examples of lesson plans? How do they differ from 'traditional' plans or public school curriculae? Is there anything different? Similar? Why do they do it? What are the pros and cons ?
- Explore case for and against school choice. Explore charter schools, vouchers, for profit schools, and No Child Left Behind. Do your work here. There are clearly two sides at work here: those in favor of a capitalistic, free market approach to education, such as Milton Friedman ; and those who see dangers in making schooling a business like General Motors. Explore: do charters really work ? Is there really data to support charter schools? Who goes to charter schools? White kids or minorities? Why? Is competition good or bad for schools? How do alternative schools affect students and teachers? Can profits and teaching go hand in hand?
- For a really interesting read regarding charters, America, business, and the connection to Eugenics Internationale, click here . It's quite eye-opening, and makes for interesting conversation.
- Find out what's happening with charter schools in states like Michigan .
- Find out more about for profit charter schools . Do they work ? What are some issues facing some of these types of schools in Michigan , for example? Who supports charters in Michigan like the Devos family ? Who is getting involved in for-profit charters? Read about Wal-Mart's interest . Bill Gates ? Do you have any concerns?
- Find out all that you can about No Child Left Behind . Make sure you focus on areas of the act that deals with issues related to minorities, special education, AYP, school violence, and what happens to schools that do not make AYP for three or four years. What is NCLB about ? Is there any money to fund the program? (A recent NCSL study shows "a nearly $10 billion gap between the amount of money Congress appropriated in 2004 and the amount it was authorized to give," for instance). How can schools meet the requirements of the act? How is this act really affecting kids that have been historically 'left behind,' such as minorities? What is the truth behind the legislation? Find out what is really going on with NCLB and how it really is impacting kids and teachers.
- Read/copy material about the recent corruption behind NCLB and Reading First. Ever heard of DIBELS ? How is all of this connected ?
- Are schools preparing for NCLB? How? How many schools have failed in the state ? Why? What, if anything, does that say about NCLB? What school have failed in the nation ? What does that say about the act? Is it realistic ? Find out the truth behind Bush's NCLB hoax.
- Find out more about the connection between Bush and McGraw-Hill. Is there a problem? Is there a conflict of interest, given NCLB mandates? Find out what kids have learned . What do testing companies stand to gain from this legislation?
- What about Jeb Bush, his brother, and his company 'Ignite! Learning' ? How has NCLB served his corporate interests?
- Consider the "news" show, Channel One. Show and explain the story behind what it is and its connections to teaching. How does it affect us? The kids ? Should this be in schools? Why/Why not ? Find out more about critical issues and what is going on with Channel One: What are kids learning when they watch ?
- Also, find out more on this issue and the whole commercialism in schools debate. In particular, take a look at the work being done by the University of Illinois . What types of commercialism are affecting schools ? What about corporate sponsors ? Who advertises in schools ? Who else ? Find out more about the connection betweenadvertising and today's schools . Find some specific examples of what is going on, like 'Bus Radio.' What are the 'Cola Wars' about?
- Take a look at society, kids and advertising , noting trends as a whole.