Thanks D. for emailing me the article New York Measuring Teachers by Test Scores - NY Times by Jennifer Medina
As for what I think...ARGH is about all I'll say in writing...ok - make that ARGH ARGH ARGH
One question though - anyone making a connection between the article in the WSJ about behavior problems in pre-school and the unrelenting pressure and emphasis being put on testing and test scores? I am and have been for quite a while. I was also discussing the WSJ article (post below) with my 90 year old mentor/professor last week and the first thing she said was "maybe they're trying to teach them too much". There you go. Out of the mouth of experience....
I'll be happy to talk to you about the article and the implications for J. when we meet this week but as for a request for a blog reaction this is about all I'm comfortable with.
Argh.
Enjoy the day,
RK
Showing posts with label NYC Department of Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NYC Department of Education. Show all posts
Monday, January 21, 2008
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Program to Deter High School Dropouts by Offering College Courses Is Approved - New York Times
Hi Mariette J,
In answer to your question about Program to Deter High School Dropouts by Offering College Courses Is Approved - New York Times . I think it's a great concept and I believe it helps. Students I've worked with who participated in such programs were much more motivated and did better in their senior year in high school then they otherwise would have.
There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, the student doesn't have that sense that H.S. is all over and they don't have to do anything until the following year (remember the story a couple of months back about the boy who got his college acceptance rescinded because he totally flunked out in senior year?). The students are motivated, they aren't just floundering and lost as to what comes next. They have a chance to explore different courses and subject areas that might interest them and they have a focus.
The transition from high school to college is often terrifying for many, many students as much as they try and hide it. The August issue of Scientific American Mind's article called "Why We Quit" by Yvonne Raley is about how many students drop out of college and some of the reasons why.
Programs such as the one described in the NY Times article can do a lot to help students feel motivated, directed and focused and to stay in school. A number of years ago I did program and staff development and implementation for Drop Out Prevention programs for a joint NYC Dept. of Education and CUNY program. In addition to the teacher training component I worked with students in some of the toughest areas of NYC. These children had tough lives and home lives but if they were able somehow to feel connected to some positive future their outlook on school, education and their classes improved. Give a child a sense of a hopeful and positive future and hopefully they'll want to find a way to get there.
Good luck with your son and both your futures! Let me know how it goes and feel free to call or email for further input or coaching.
Enjoy the day,
RK
In answer to your question about Program to Deter High School Dropouts by Offering College Courses Is Approved - New York Times . I think it's a great concept and I believe it helps. Students I've worked with who participated in such programs were much more motivated and did better in their senior year in high school then they otherwise would have.
There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, the student doesn't have that sense that H.S. is all over and they don't have to do anything until the following year (remember the story a couple of months back about the boy who got his college acceptance rescinded because he totally flunked out in senior year?). The students are motivated, they aren't just floundering and lost as to what comes next. They have a chance to explore different courses and subject areas that might interest them and they have a focus.
The transition from high school to college is often terrifying for many, many students as much as they try and hide it. The August issue of Scientific American Mind's article called "Why We Quit" by Yvonne Raley is about how many students drop out of college and some of the reasons why.
Programs such as the one described in the NY Times article can do a lot to help students feel motivated, directed and focused and to stay in school. A number of years ago I did program and staff development and implementation for Drop Out Prevention programs for a joint NYC Dept. of Education and CUNY program. In addition to the teacher training component I worked with students in some of the toughest areas of NYC. These children had tough lives and home lives but if they were able somehow to feel connected to some positive future their outlook on school, education and their classes improved. Give a child a sense of a hopeful and positive future and hopefully they'll want to find a way to get there.
Good luck with your son and both your futures! Let me know how it goes and feel free to call or email for further input or coaching.
Enjoy the day,
RK
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