Session 4: "What would Mrs. Ratliff do?"

1.     Disciplinary Lenses –

a.     What is one specific way your content research thus far has caused you to re-think about an idea, or question, or caused you to challenge assumptions that you had previously not considered – or- even pushed you further in thinking?

One specific way my content research has caused me to re-think art integration into the core curriculum has pushed me to think about how I need to acquire support from parents, staff and school in order to do so effectively. Art integration not only requires additional resources such as supplies, but time as well. The numerous journals and studies I have read on the positive effects art has on cognitive development and creative thinking, has pushed me to think further about the pedagogy component. How can I integrate art effectively across subject matters and overcome the “classroom decoration,” stigma it currently has? What differentiates effective art integration versus wasting/filling precious classroom time?

2.     The Death and Life of the Great American School System, Diane Ravitch

a.     How do you think the Common Core standards might fit in this narrative of school reform?

 I think that the Common Core standards might fit in this narrative of school reform because from they focus on depth of content areas versus breadth, thus allowing teachers to dig deeper with their students. From what I have seen of the Common Core standards, I feel that they give control back to the classroom teacher and let them teach and develop students’ minds versus their test taking abilities. The goal of Common Core standards, taken from the Common Core website, is, “The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.” We are currently failing our future citizens by identifying success on the basis of a basic skills test score/data, determined by bubbling in circles, versus the ability to think and become contributors in society. Hopefully Common Core brings the purpose of education back to what it should be, to produce a better educated citizenry that encourages innovative thinking.     

b.     In Chapter 9, Ravitch says critics argue that schools would improve if unions ceased to exist. What argument does she present based on available research? What do you think?

Ravitch presents the argument that Teacher Unions are indifferent in determining a teachers level of effectiveness on their students. Ravitch states, “The difference in performance is probably due to economics, not unionization (page 175).”  The reason why unions formed was to, “protect their right to think, speak, and teach without fear (page 174).” I personally think that teachers are needed to protect our basic rights; however, should not be used to guarantee a lifetime of employment and dismiss inadequate teachers. I do not think that teacher unions depress student achievement nor an adult interest group. I would hope that teachers are teachers because they are passionate about what they do and want to inflect knowledge on the minds of our future. Teachers cannot be blamed for depressed student performance since they are being told what to teach, how to teach and when to teach it. Instead of trying to pin point the downfall of student achievement on reasons such as teachers unions, we should reflect on the purpose of education.

I replied to Alaina Rowen and Sarah Wilkerson