Module 4

Module 4 Discussion 1. Should public schooling be redefined? Why and how? I do think that public schools should be redefined. Schools have continually changed over time to what they are today with the common core curriculum. When schools were starting to develop “The quality of education offered in these district schools varied dramatically from district to district, though the level of instruction was often not high. District schools were often boring places where little was taught and learned” (Johnson et al., 2012, p.83). In the beginning the communities had a say and the education offered variety from community to community. Mann and others encouraged another option to district school, “. . . improved common school system could provide all children with knowledge and skills necessary for success in this new industrialized world of the nineteenth century” (Johnson et al., 2012, p.85). Mann proposed a more unified system, where all students would learn the same, which in turn would help them become successful. Looking ahead to no child left behind, instead of helping students it hurt more kids than helped. The no child left behind act (NCLB) “. . . put a special focus on ensuring that schools boost the performance of certain groups of students, such as English-language learners, students in special education, and poor and minority children, whose achievement, on average, trails their peers” (Klein, 2023) by focusing on teaching math and reading, the areas they were behind in. The “. . . NCLB sets up a climate for teaching and learning that is focused on teaching to the test” (Koonce, 2020, p.38). Instead of helping our kids excel in all areas, teaching became focused on teaching math and reading. Another issue with NCLB was that states got to decide what it meant to be proficient and which tests to use (Klein, 2023). Hess’s review on redefining schools had some good ideas and arguments to justify redefining schools. Hess felt that “public schools should teach children the essential skills and knowledge that make for productive citizens” and “teach them to respect our constitutional order,” as if these were absolute truths not open to interpretation” (Koonce, 2020, p.41). What defines a productive citizen? Each person will have their own view. I also feel schools should not just focus on being productive members of society but how to be prepared for life. Yes, learning about our constitution is important, it should not be the focus of education. Where Scott proposes the first step in redefining public schools is putting the power of learning back in the hands of the community, not forgetting about standardized tests but just putting them aside. To improve student progress, funds should go towards progressive research using technology, along “. . . with better resources, innovative teaching styles, and effective teaching practices” (Koonce,2020, p.39). If everyone in the community had a say into what education their children received, then each school would be teaching something different. By having a common curriculum ensures that each child is receiving a proper education by learning the basics like reading, writing, mathematics, English, history, and science. If parents had a say and schools incorporated what they wanted, then I believe every school would have different learning requirements and curriculum. No schools would be on the same page. If a student transfers from one school to another, they will have to adapt to that school’s standards. By having a common curriculum among every school then students could easily change schools and not feel left behind or that they missed something. If we were to redefine public schools, it would have to be communities