Mike Rose I Just Wanna Be Average Summary

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“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” In the world of education, many believe it both starts and ends within the classroom; however, when breaking down the understanding of both student success and equitable education, we can better understand that this is not true. Education transcends beyond the walls of the classroom and within everything we do. Despite the characteristics of the home, school, and community for which an individual is raised, it is the interconnectedness of these systems for which an individual may see success. The collective influence of the home, school, and one’s community plays a significant role in shaping both a student’s success and overall equitable education for all. Throughout the entirety …show more content…

While schools of all types do teach students their subjects and test them on their abilities, there are many other roles, including a child’s personal identity. As mentioned throughout Mike Rose’s, “I Just Wanna Be Average,” we as readers were able to see many aspects of this argument. For one, throughout his story, he explained how being placed within the vocational learning tract allowed him to switch his mindset towards school and his behaviors as he mimicked his classmates. He was less passionate about learning and the courses seemed to lack a meaning to his bigger picture of life. While some may argue that this is only due to the educational system itself, he explains how it was more so the attitudes of his surrounding social environment. This example directly explains the concept of how a student’s educational environment may also shape their personal success. When thinking about one’s educational environment in a more positive way, we typically highlight the teaching styles, inclusivity of learning environments, supportive services, and other ranges of resources provided to students. While in a more optimistic mindset these aspects can aid one’s achievements and improve the probability of success, when there is a lack of equity or accommodation for individual cases that are impactful, there lays a problem. However, this does more accurately prove how the role, specifically of one’s school environment, may play a crucial role in a student’s success and how it is important to promote equitable educational outcomes for all

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