Reflection About Education

While the most important purpose and goal of high school has ultimately remained the same, its factors have changed over the years. In the Articles, “Missing in Interaction,” written by Myra and David Sadker and “Savage Inequalities,” written by Jonathan Kozol, the authors introduce and include examples of the way education itself has changed other the years, as well as the goal that was set for it. Our system of education’s main purpose has been to educate children and help them with their future, but certain issues in regards to our system have not been given the attention that should be required.

At Hazelwood High School, they do things differently than at my school. At Hazelwood, most of the people worry about themselves and nobody else. Most of the school doesn’t get good grades and the school does not do anything about it. One day in English class Andy walked out when they were reading Macbeth because it was too emotional for Andy to handle. His friends were concerned and told the school counselor. They said, “But… but… it seems like… like… he needs help or somethin’.” Then the counselor said, “Well, I probably shouldn’t tell you boys this, but he is getting some outside counseling… So you boys can relax and be assured that he is getting whatever help he needs”(100). At Harrisburg High School, if someone had an issue like that, the counselors and teachers would be concerned, even if the person was getting outside help. Another thing about education that is different than mine is the school. In Ronda’s English homework, she wrote, “Our school building must have been built about a million years ago, because it was brown and tall and raggedy-looking, but it fit right in with the rest of the day”(16). At my high school, we are very fortunate to have a very new building to learn inside of. At Hazelwood High, they were not fortunate enough to have a new high school be built. Culture and education are very important pieces of people’s

The United States, as many believe, is the land of opportunity, however, when looking at individual states, towns, and cities, this popular slogan may seem false to some. Within each state, all schools, such as middle and high schools, may not receive or offer equity. In an effort to revel inequalities within school systems, I will discuss the differences between schools in my town, the apparent lack of public concern about schooling inequality, and what changes could be made in an effort to reduce schooling inequality.

For my entire life of schooling, both my parents and I would agree that I constantly complained about the educational systems in which I was enrolled. But when I actually take the time to think about everything I have been through, I realize that I have indeed had an excellent education. My schooling was full of opportunities and experiences, all of which contributed to the person I am today; adequate education has been an indispensable facet of my being. Sadly, not everyone has had this same privilege. And now as a college student, I am becoming even more aware of this sad fact. Looking around me in such a diverse city as Chicago, I find myself being more and more grateful. When I read Jonathan Kozol's Fremont High School, this these

Growing up in Southeastern Kentucky, a kid doesn’t have many expectations from their parents, school teachers, or themselves. When a student walks by two teachers talking they say, “This group of 5th graders are the worst, every one of them are as dumb as a box of rocks.” This is the sad reality of what happened in my elementary school at Marie Roberts-Caney. Our school slogan is, “No student left behind.” Ever since 3rd grade I knew it was a bunch or bologna. Don’t get me wrong, I had great parents who cared about me, but they didn’t expect much from me. Neither of my parents attended college and I was afraid of it. Even as a young student, I knew I wasn’t the brightest kid in the classroom. Now that I look back, I realize how hard I worked

This audience is typically heads of household that would have children in schools and would generally relate to the high school experiences discussed throughout this article. As Botstein pointed out, “Often the high school outsider becomes the more successful and admired adult.” These successful adults can see the viewpoint of the author through their own lenses and also realize that their success was not directly tied to the learning they gained in school but to the harsh realities they faced once they moved into adulthood. Although Botstein highlights the various problems faced by students in high school but to effect change he needs to gain the support of the parents, in addition to wealth. The only way to effect change in the American school system is to be driven by both the student’s parents and the individuals that can influence the school board.

Secondary education is a highly debated subject. Many critics of secondary education say that inner-city high schools and students are not receiving the same attention as students from non inner-city high schools. Two of the biggest concerns are the lack of school funding that inner-city high schools are receive and the low success rate in sending inner-city high schools graduates to college. Critics say that while inner-city high schools struggle to pay its teachers and educate its student’s non inner-city high schools don’t have to deal with the lack of school funding. Also students from non inner-city high school are not being given the opportunity to attend colleges once the

The aim of this assignment is to give a reflective account on group presentation and the peer assessment process as well as the development of a personal action plan. It would involve using ‘The What? Model of Structured Reflection’ (Driscoll 2007) to analyse the experience of using a group designed assessment tool to assess my peers and the experience of being peer assessed. Additionally, experience of completing a group presentation would be reflected upon. A personal action plan which identifies areas for personal development and the designed assessment tool is attached as appendix 1 and 2 respectively.

In order to grow and prosper in society, one must gain knowledge from a variety of subjects and apply the information in real life situations. High school is one source of education where adolescents are able to gain knowledge by attending classes. However, the school system has numerous flaws and fails to cultivate successful students who are driven to continue their education. Based on the texts in Conversation: Focus on the American High School and my own insight, two serious issues present in American high schools include the failure to reform the curriculum by integrating liberal arts and promoting artificial values in individuals which restricts growth.

An intersectional reflection of my dichotomous relationship with higher education is what fuels my desire to pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. As a first-generation college student, earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees profoundly altered the trajectory of my family out of years of generational poverty. As a result of embracing higher education, I possess the ability to think critically and creatively, with a passion and hunger for lifelong learning. Contrarily, the experience also left some biological, psychological, and social scarring. Macroaggressions, tokenism, and implicit bias have all contributed to the way that I now live, learn, and work in the world. While these experiences did not prevent the completion of my education, it has led others to abandon the pursuit, and certainly presents an enigma to many colleges and universities around the country eager to recruit and retain scholars that identify as Black/African-American, first-generation, and/or low socioeconomic status. The majority of my professional experience revolves around this very conundrum and the time has now come to pursue extensive and original research in this chosen field.

“Schooling the world” was a film based on schools around the world. The Director Carol Black focuses on India schooling and American schooling. The purpose of this film is to show that Americans think education should be one way and not different ways. The schooling in India has changed over time and locals are struggling with the changes. In the older schooling in India is was based on crops and the community. Very few people went to school, but many worked in the fields and in homes. Children are now being sent to boarding school in other towns and leaving their homes to get a better education. Many small towns in India are struggling with the new concept of learning and young people's views on money and communities. Throughout the film I agreed with most of the points in the film, I do disagree with some of the views the older Indian generation has.

American Citizens success is directly correlated to the quality of education they receive. The quality of education changes with location, and location is determined by income. Even if by chance an individual is able to locate a viable institution. The curriculum may harm a child intellectual growth more than it would stimulate it. John Taylor Gatto argues that standardized curriculum is boring our students, and crushing originality. While Jean Anyon states that a person social class is a reflection of their schooling. Both pedagogues have experience in this field, and have looked closely at course work and student teacher relationships. Ostensibly Gatto’s and Aynon’s publications intends to convey the flaws ingrained in the education system. It’s feasible to first examine each social class’s academic curriculum in order to understand if schooling is thwarting success.

According to this theory, critical awareness requires recognition that the social status of an individual, including educational and economic prospects and opportunities, is largely result from its race, gender, and class so the critical theorists want to raise the consciousness of these people dealing with education, knowledge, the school, and teaching and learning. Furthermore, they see the curriculum into 2 parts: the official curriculum which requires teaching subjects and specific skills, and the Hidden curriculum which imposes approved behaviors and attitudes on students through the school environment. They believe that teachers should empower themselves, because they can transform schools into democratic public spheres.

“Ideological Domain- The media, arts, religion, and education represent institutions whose primary purpose is ideological - producing and distributing ideas and knowledge about society and it’s people - why society is organized the what it is what people need to know in order to function in society” (Webb, pg 12)

In this class we have often talked about choices parents make, that affect their children. While I do not condone coming to America illegally, I do not believe that this would effect my teaching. Personally, as an educator, I do not think that it is my place to judge a child, or his family’s legal status. My main objective is to grow my students minds, and help them to be better people. I desire for my students to be knowledgeable, and kind. This vision expands across all races, and cultures. According to,THE HUMAN FACE OF IMMIGRATION,“It’s not long before their consensus is clear: Legal immigrants are good, model residents; “illegals” are very bad.” Most of the country has this belief now. I think that it is important as educators, to broaden our students minds, and help them see that all cultures, and races should be accepted not only in our school, but in our country. Even if you don’t support people coming into the country illegally, there should be a respect for all people. Additionally, EVERY STUDENT should feel safe, comfortable, and accepted in their school. I think this applies to the students, and teachers. I also think the term “illegals” definitely gives immigrants a bad connotation, but I do not think that the issue of people entering the country illegally should be ignored. I think that it is a lose, lose, situation. This issue needs to be discussed, and whatever being said is going to hurt, or offend, someone.