Today, we got "oriented" to the CTA, or Chicago Transit Authority--which means the buses and trains. It began with a great overview from Tiffanie (with Lane's help) at the Chicago Center offices in Hyde Park. State Street and Madison form the basis of the Chicago "grid" and Tiffanie taught us how to use the grid to get around. My family and I come into Chicago a few times a year but this was ALL NEW to me so it was great to get the lay of the land.
After the overview was the test: we split into two groups and headed out on adventures. Each group was sent to a CPS (Chicago Public Schools) high school; to a unique, local dining experience; and back to our housing on Hyde Park Blvd. What the Chicago Center folks didn't tell us was that our schools were not right around the corner: our group took a bus and two trains to get to Roosevelt High in the north part of the city. The trip took over an hour. But, of course, like all good pedagogically thinking educators, there was a method to their madness. By the time we returned to our housing in Hyde Park at 4:15, we had the system down. No bus scared us; no train intimidated us; we even weathered a somewhat overt display of bravado from a group of young girls on the bus who tried their hardest to lure us into a bit of loud horse-play. And Kevin was flashed by a young woman sunning on a roof-top in the northside as we traveled on the L. All in all, it was an educational trip.
We visited two high schools--one "small school" with an emphasis on engineering and a neighborhood schools with a center for recent immigrants right in the school. We got a chance to meet with people at the schools and ask questions. At Roosevelt where my group went, we entered through the metal detectors (they weren't activated but we did sign in with security at the door). The presence of security was something new to some of us. We observed in the hall for a while and Kevin was struck by the posturing of confrontation that seemed to be the root of the relationship between the security guards and some of the kids. It was as if the joking challenges were a way of forming a bond.
After getting back to the Boulevard (our housing unit), everyone struck out and ended up at the Lake. It was a beautiful day so it was a great day to check it out.
Finally, we ended the night at "That's Weird, Grandma"--a theater production by Barrel of Monkeys.
* Today was a bit toasty--by 9:00 a.m. it was 75 degrees with 71% humidity and rising. Last night, we slept comfortably in our beds...until around 1:30 a.m., when we all started waking up in pools of sweat. Heat rises, so we on the third floor were starting to cook. Fortunately, Amy and the crew at the Chicago Center got air-conditioners in this afternoon so our bedrooms are nice and cool.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Chicago, Here We Come!
At noon today, we boarded the MegaBus in Iowa City and headed east to Chicago. MegaBus is a double-decker bus and we rode on the "top floor." Let me just say this: that top floor sways like a prop plane in a storm! I was SURE we were going to tip right over. I told the students that our assignment on this trip would be to write our wills so, when the bus tips on the trip home, we'll have our affairs in order.
We're in Hyde Park, just blocks from the Obama home. We walked by this afternoon when we got here. It's a great neighborhood and we have lots to do and see. However, it was almost 90 degrees today and super humid so we're kind of just soaking in being here. We had our first adventure on the CTA to get to Chinatown for dinner--one bus, then the red line. It was nice to have our first trip be pretty low stress.
Right now (10:30 at night), there are two very intense games going on: Euchre (card game) in one corner, Apples to Apples [and I believe it's the dirty version so I'm trying not to listen too much] in the other corner. It makes it possible to forget that the heat hasn't broke and won't until Thursday...
Tomorrow, we are off exploring the city.
We're in Hyde Park, just blocks from the Obama home. We walked by this afternoon when we got here. It's a great neighborhood and we have lots to do and see. However, it was almost 90 degrees today and super humid so we're kind of just soaking in being here. We had our first adventure on the CTA to get to Chinatown for dinner--one bus, then the red line. It was nice to have our first trip be pretty low stress.
Right now (10:30 at night), there are two very intense games going on: Euchre (card game) in one corner, Apples to Apples [and I believe it's the dirty version so I'm trying not to listen too much] in the other corner. It makes it possible to forget that the heat hasn't broke and won't until Thursday...
Tomorrow, we are off exploring the city.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Hoop Dreams
Today we took the morning to watch Hoop Dreams, a documentary following the path of two young boys, William Gates and Arthur Agee, who dreamed of becoming professional basketball players. As we followed their two different paths through high school, we saw how important family was to them, role of the school, and the community they grew up in.
As we watched the journeys of these two boys, it made me think about how sports are seen in our society as a whole. Playing basketball at the high school level was called a “career” numerous times throughout the movie. When William gets hurt, it is almost seen as if he doesn’t have a future, unless his knee can be fixed.
I see school as a place to prepare students for their future. I don’t think either of these boys was prepared for their future. They were always thinking basketball and never thought of other career options. They didn’t want to follow in the paths of their fathers, but when it seemed that times were tough, would they follow through with their plans.
William was given the opportunity to succeed in a private high school because of his abilities, while Arthur was sent back to the public school when he didn’t meet expectations. We have been talking a lot about school choice. By creating competition through school choice, how does this affect the quality and type of education provided to students and the students personally?
As we watched the journeys of these two boys, it made me think about how sports are seen in our society as a whole. Playing basketball at the high school level was called a “career” numerous times throughout the movie. When William gets hurt, it is almost seen as if he doesn’t have a future, unless his knee can be fixed.
I see school as a place to prepare students for their future. I don’t think either of these boys was prepared for their future. They were always thinking basketball and never thought of other career options. They didn’t want to follow in the paths of their fathers, but when it seemed that times were tough, would they follow through with their plans.
William was given the opportunity to succeed in a private high school because of his abilities, while Arthur was sent back to the public school when he didn’t meet expectations. We have been talking a lot about school choice. By creating competition through school choice, how does this affect the quality and type of education provided to students and the students personally?
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Home Schooling
Today we had the chance to visit the MHSAP office located in Marion. Home schooling is one of few things that I don't know if it's really a benefit or not. The way this program is set up is a very inviting way for a person that knows nothing about the benefits and drawbacks of home schooling. This program was set up and described as more of an off campus school. They really didn't tell us much of how things are run at the home but mainly focused about how their center helps the students. The way they help is through providing the students with extra resources, extra help, and even house visits. When I was doing all my research I didn't find many Home Schooling programs set up like this.
I still have some issues with home schooling. I was hoping that some of these concerns would be whipped out after visiting the MHSAP today. Since the questions I had would of been against home schooling I felt that it would have been inappropriate for today so that is what this blog is for. The first issue I have with home schooling is the fact that you don't follow a traditional lesson of learning. The lessons you learn are the same and the way you learn are almost the same but there to me is a big advantage to a person that is home schooled than anyone else. When you are home schooled you are not on a time track so you get more attention and more help than one would receive in a public, charter, or private school. I don't know anyone that was home schooled and I wanted to know exactly how long do the students have to complete a school term. Because what if they are late with the mastering of a subject, do they receive the extra time needed to complete it or do they receive a failing grade. That is my second issue, do they fail? The administrators never really talked of how a student could fail. If the student cant fail than that is another big problematic advantage. I understand they do have to take the standardized tests but where are these taken... At home, or in an actual school setting?
The biggest issue that I have with the idea of home schooling is how do they prepare you for college. Home schooling is independent but how would one prepare for the pressure of college and trying to socially fit in? It takes some skill to survive in a competitive college and I don't think home schooling prepares you for the pressure that is put on one in this intense social environment. A big university would be a huge challenge for a person that is home schooled because the classes are very large and it would be hard to stop the classes to ask a small question. Above all how does some one that has had individual help all through their schooling learn to survive with little to no individual help in college. Now I know this is not how it is at every college because Coe would be the perfect fit for a person that is home schooled because of the small class sizes, and the help that every professor is willing to give. At the same time not every class at Coe is small and not every teacher is the same, or willing to take the extra time out to attend to one persons needs.
Now I'm curious to know the opinions of my classmates and if they agree or disagree with me. So feel free to say what ever and present any opinion that you have so that we may see every ones' opinion on if home schooling is the way to go or is not the way to go.
I still have some issues with home schooling. I was hoping that some of these concerns would be whipped out after visiting the MHSAP today. Since the questions I had would of been against home schooling I felt that it would have been inappropriate for today so that is what this blog is for. The first issue I have with home schooling is the fact that you don't follow a traditional lesson of learning. The lessons you learn are the same and the way you learn are almost the same but there to me is a big advantage to a person that is home schooled than anyone else. When you are home schooled you are not on a time track so you get more attention and more help than one would receive in a public, charter, or private school. I don't know anyone that was home schooled and I wanted to know exactly how long do the students have to complete a school term. Because what if they are late with the mastering of a subject, do they receive the extra time needed to complete it or do they receive a failing grade. That is my second issue, do they fail? The administrators never really talked of how a student could fail. If the student cant fail than that is another big problematic advantage. I understand they do have to take the standardized tests but where are these taken... At home, or in an actual school setting?
The biggest issue that I have with the idea of home schooling is how do they prepare you for college. Home schooling is independent but how would one prepare for the pressure of college and trying to socially fit in? It takes some skill to survive in a competitive college and I don't think home schooling prepares you for the pressure that is put on one in this intense social environment. A big university would be a huge challenge for a person that is home schooled because the classes are very large and it would be hard to stop the classes to ask a small question. Above all how does some one that has had individual help all through their schooling learn to survive with little to no individual help in college. Now I know this is not how it is at every college because Coe would be the perfect fit for a person that is home schooled because of the small class sizes, and the help that every professor is willing to give. At the same time not every class at Coe is small and not every teacher is the same, or willing to take the extra time out to attend to one persons needs.
Now I'm curious to know the opinions of my classmates and if they agree or disagree with me. So feel free to say what ever and present any opinion that you have so that we may see every ones' opinion on if home schooling is the way to go or is not the way to go.
Friday, May 14, 2010
North Lawndale College Preparatory High School
Three Questions
Here are mine:
1) Can we see it? :) Is the charter on file? How closely related is the charter to the school mission? Is the mission an adaptation of the charter?
2) Why? Why do all the work and all the research to apply for the charter without set knowledge that you will get the charter?
3) Do students fail? How does NLCP handle students who fail?
Here are mine:
1) Can we see it? :) Is the charter on file? How closely related is the charter to the school mission? Is the mission an adaptation of the charter?
2) Why? Why do all the work and all the research to apply for the charter without set knowledge that you will get the charter?
3) Do students fail? How does NLCP handle students who fail?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Day Two: The Emotion of Reform
Today, we met at the Iowa City Public Library and discussed the introduction and first essay in Mike Rose's book, Why School? In particular, we discussed the idea of collectivism versus individualism as a basis for public education policies.
We then went to a local Iowa City elementary school and talked to the principal about the climate in Iowa City as the school board prepares to change enrollment boundaries to meet the needs of the community growth and redistribution. This principal shared with us the complicated and emotional process of accommodating upwards of 60-plus students last August as two schools were put on the SINA list in town. This principal's school was the destination of all the students of schools on the east side of town who opted out of their SINA schools. The principal shared with us stories of helping families, staff, and--most importantly--kids navigate the changes involved in school growth. She lamented her lack of time to work with her staff to address everything from physical space for new classes to cultural competency about new students, as the changes to her school came fast and furious within two weeks of the start of the school year last fall. The principal told us that only in the past two weeks (with less than four weeks left in the school year) has she felt like the atmosphere at the school has settled and the apprehensive tension she felt all year had subsided. I was grateful for her time, her candor, and her honesty about the pain, anger, and frustration associated with policy decisions that touch some many lives.
[I'm DISTRACTED by hour FOUR of the Iowa City School Board meeting currently running live on public access television. I just watched the board members spend 30 minutes voting and voting against another work session to discuss boundary changes. Once it was determined that they would NOT have a work session, they are now...getting to work. :) Hour FOUR!!]
Tomorrow: A Right Denied. Secret Readers. And considering private versus public school teaching.
We then went to a local Iowa City elementary school and talked to the principal about the climate in Iowa City as the school board prepares to change enrollment boundaries to meet the needs of the community growth and redistribution. This principal shared with us the complicated and emotional process of accommodating upwards of 60-plus students last August as two schools were put on the SINA list in town. This principal's school was the destination of all the students of schools on the east side of town who opted out of their SINA schools. The principal shared with us stories of helping families, staff, and--most importantly--kids navigate the changes involved in school growth. She lamented her lack of time to work with her staff to address everything from physical space for new classes to cultural competency about new students, as the changes to her school came fast and furious within two weeks of the start of the school year last fall. The principal told us that only in the past two weeks (with less than four weeks left in the school year) has she felt like the atmosphere at the school has settled and the apprehensive tension she felt all year had subsided. I was grateful for her time, her candor, and her honesty about the pain, anger, and frustration associated with policy decisions that touch some many lives.
[I'm DISTRACTED by hour FOUR of the Iowa City School Board meeting currently running live on public access television. I just watched the board members spend 30 minutes voting and voting against another work session to discuss boundary changes. Once it was determined that they would NOT have a work session, they are now...getting to work. :) Hour FOUR!!]
Tomorrow: A Right Denied. Secret Readers. And considering private versus public school teaching.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Day One
Today, we met as a class and considered some of the over-arching issues related to education and schooling in terms of reform.
Those ideas included:
Dual Language Schools Daniell
Single Sex Schools and Classrooms Liesl
School Choice Emily
Positive Behavior System Danielle
Year Round School Keri
Home Schooling Cedric
At-Risk Education Cari
Afrocentric Education Kevin
One of my goals this month is to constantly ask why: why is dual language schooling criticized? why do we no longer use the term "at-risk" or at least no longer use it as much as we used to? why does school choice challenge the core fundamentals of our democratic society?
As we proceed, I encourage you as students to ask the same types of questions. For better or for worse, I am pretty comfortable saying there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to finding what works in schooling.
[Why do I use the term "schooling" as opposed to "education"? Is there a difference? Should there be?]
Those ideas included:
Dual Language Schools Daniell
Single Sex Schools and Classrooms Liesl
School Choice Emily
Positive Behavior System Danielle
Year Round School Keri
Home Schooling Cedric
At-Risk Education Cari
Afrocentric Education Kevin
One of my goals this month is to constantly ask why: why is dual language schooling criticized? why do we no longer use the term "at-risk" or at least no longer use it as much as we used to? why does school choice challenge the core fundamentals of our democratic society?
As we proceed, I encourage you as students to ask the same types of questions. For better or for worse, I am pretty comfortable saying there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to finding what works in schooling.
[Why do I use the term "schooling" as opposed to "education"? Is there a difference? Should there be?]
Welcome
This is the blog for the Coe College May Term '10 Equity in Education class. Follow along as eight students and one fearless leader tackle topics ranging from the social, political, and legal history of school segregation to the current trends in educational attainment by race, class, and gender, in order to better understand the complicated nature of educational reform and educational stagnation in American schools.
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