Abstract:
The biggest aspect of this chapter is the Turning Points report that was released and comparing schools who used this report and those who didn’t. The suggestions in the article included restructuring the school into smaller communities, teaching core areas of learning, ensuring success for all students, putting power in the hands of the teachers and principals, using teachers who know how to handle adolescents, promoting education and good health, and working with families and communities in the process. Many schools are not adopting the Turning Points ideas and suggestions, but those who are see increased test scores and an overall improvement in the school. The other main idea is the whole idea of a middle school. The authors suggest that middle schools work best when including grades 5-8 or 6-8 and run based on the suggestions from Turning Points. More importantly, the point should be that it is important to provide and equal education to every student and expect every student to be successful.
Class Reflection:
It is interesting to note the connection between poorer families and their student achievement and the implication of the Turning Points suggestions. The changes have been slowest to occur in these areas where they are needed the most. We like the idea of teams and communities, and when done right they can be extremely effective in working towards success for every student .We also believe that an important factor in middle level education is having open lines of communication with families. We also found it interesting that the recommendations in Turning Points were actually improving students test scores. Another very interesting connection was the idea of the differentiated instruction and appropriate assessments that we had learned in practicum. These were some of the Turning Points recommendations that were helping to improve these schools. Turning Points helps middle school educators and faculty maneuver their students through a time that is already hard enough because of the hormones, emotional, physical, social, and intellectual changes they are going through at this time. Some people also believe that there should be a separate degree that is earned by people wishing to teach middle school. This would ensure that all faculty at the middle school level are properly trained and have the experience to deal with young adolescents. Also, continual professional development based upon current research and ideas is a must.
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5 comments:
I listened to the first podcast by Rick Wormell, and I found it to be pretty interesting. Rick talked specifically about the lack of teachers having a reason why they would make students do specific tasks. Many of the reasons were "well it was done to me" He discusses his books and the studies he has done, explaining what is wrong with schooling today. He feels that teaching is a doable profession, but with the work and understanding one can change the profession as it is. His key point is that we need to meet the needs of students "to fill the void"
The podcast also had some sweet tunes.
By following the link to “middle Schools” I was directed to a site titled “Schools to Watch.” This is a great site and gives a look into the successes of middle schools across the country and what they are doing to be successful. This site includes criteria tab that allows you to click on a link and take virtual tours of the schools, AWSOME!!!!!!!!! I encountered another link through this site title “The National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. This gives policy over view and news up dates as well as other great stuff. Check these sites out and find MORE!!
Eileen
James Vopat is a Fulbright scholar and founding director of the Milwaukee Writing project. With the families and communication link, you can see a video that deals with such issues as parent involvement, barriers to parent involvement and community-building activities. The video is offered from Stenhouse Publishers, which is a company that offers professional resources for teachers. Its aim is to "help K-12 teachers deepen their professional knowledge and build their students' skills as readers, writers, and thinkers." I highly suggest looking into the website for videos, books, workbooks and e-books.
I love anything that Wormeli does, and this podcast was no exception. It was really insightful. I also really like the Schools to Watch. It really makes you want to go and teach at one of them! Great job!
:)
I do have to agree that families have a huge impact on how the students do in school. Those videos might be just what the schools need in order to be more successful in the future.
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