Quotes from "The Shame of the Nation" by Jonathon Kozol Chapter 7 and "American Education" by Joel Spring Chapters 1 and 6

Kozol page 165

“He told me that the high-stakes standardized exams his students had to take were “starting to control the teaching—much more that I’d like.”  There was, as a consequence, no recess at the school.  The sacrifice of recess was intended to permit the teachers to increase “their time on task,” he said.”

With or without recess, this school sounds like complete hell for all the teachers and students in it.  As I was reading this entire description of this school, I felt like I was picturing some kind of horror film.  How anyone ever let a school get as bad as this one?  It’s so disturbing to read let alone have to actually go to that school and attempt to learn.  I would say the only salvation for a school like this would be incredible teachers, but the principal is even saying that they now just teach to the tests.  What can the principal of this school even do to make things better and is there anything he can do?  I would love to know why and how this school was deemed an “effective school.”  Who would ever send a child to a school like this?  How can anyone learn or teach at such a place? 

Kozol page 184

“One of the most proficient pieces, with the fewest syntax errors and the most coherent sentences, was by Fortino.  “I don’t have to go all into detail,” he began.  “I think it’s a school that is in deep shit overall….The biggest problem with Fremont is over population.  Teachers are pushed so far that they just give up on their students.  Others trie to keep up the fight,” he wrote, “but they are losing slowly.””

This was a response from a student when asked what his various dilemmas were that he faced at school.  I don’t know what else has to be said in order to make changes in schools like this when the students are even writing about how awful it is.  Over population is a big problem in a lot of schools and yet, schools are still shutting down and being combined with others due to poor test scores.  Is this supposed to magical make the schools better by shoving all the students into one spot?  If anything, more schools need to be built and stop being closed down so there can be a normal amount of students per building per classroom.  Teachers are trying, even this student can tell, but a person can only try so hard before they get burnt out or sucked into the never-ending system. 

Spring chapter 1 page 5

“The original goals of public schools centered on citizenship training, equality of economic opportunity, and reduction of crime.”

While looking on the timeline that Spring had made on page 5 it goes from “teaching common moral and political values, equality of opportunity” to “community service, preparation for a global economy, control of learning through testing” and it’s rather disturbing.  Whatever happened to the original goals of public schools and why did we take those away?  I, and I’m sure many, many others, still feel that these are all very important; in fact, far more important than that last bullet on the timeline.  Why are our public schools centered on such meaningless things?  Don’t get me wrong, community service is very important, but why should the school system be centered on it?  Teachers used to be able to teach from the heart and to teach what matters, not they’re all teaching to the tests and trying so hard to make a difference, but failing. 

Spring chapter 1 page 25

“Education for the global economy links schooling to the interests of the business community and international corporations.  In fact, by the twenty-first century, most Americans seemed to accept business as a natural partner in the control of schools.”

This nation is far too involved into the market industry and it’s completely unnecessary.  I’m sure the businesses love the fact that they are partnered with schools so they get better workers for the future.  Would the head executives or the most powerful people in these businesses want their child to go to a school where they can be all ready for the business world?  Wouldn’t they want their children to have a choice and to learn more than business?  Honestly, what do these businesses even do for the schools and would they be far better off without them?  So many questions run through my mind with a statement like this, more questions than can be answered.  It’s just disturbing to see this is what we’ve come to today and even worse to see how our schools used to be. 

Spring chapter 6 page 155

“Both Friedman’s proposal and this recent legislation provide parents with children in low-performing schools the opportunity to send their children to another public school.”

I remember reading another story about how a mother was trying to get her son into another school, but she was unable to until his current school actually shut down.  If a parent wants to move their child into a new school they should be able to.  I guess I can understand if a school is overpopulated and students are moving into that school how they can cause a problem for everyone.  If a school has the space then they should be more than willing to accept others students into their schools.  I’m glad to hear that something like this in place; it’s like a tiny light in a room of darkness.  I wish something like this didn’t have to be in place and all the schools were equal, but at least students still have the opportunity to move schools for a better education need be. 

Spring chapter 6 page 170

“Home schooling is rapidly expanding worldwide as families abroad search for options to guide their children’s education amid growing concerns over lax educational standards and increasing violence in government-run schools.”

Home schooling seems the most logical way to educate children to real way these days.  Simply pick them up out of the crazy world of testing and violence and stick them in that safe environment they call home.  Students that are home schooled usually fly through their academic years faster and with flying colors because it’s one-on-one teaching rather than one-on-thirty.  In fact, there are two students that go to our school now and live on campus in their second year old college ages 16 or 17.  Yet, not everyone can home school their child of course because it does still take time and effort.  Some parents work constantly and simply don’t have the time.  Home schooling seems great in a sense, but what does it do for the children in terms of a social life?  Unless they live in a neighborhood with tons and tons of other children, what happens to them when they grew up verses when they were to grow up in a public school?  Home schooling as always been interesting to me and I remembering wanting to do it when I was little, it just seemed like more fun and easier when seeing it in movies.  But, I wouldn’t have the friends I have now and I wouldn’t be who I am today if I was home schooled.