The article titled “Order in the Classroom” goes in depth into the education system; its flaws, strengths, and what needs mending. Author Neil Postman, an educator of New York University includes his perspective on the education system. One remark by contributor William O’Connor, explains that the education in our schools is not inferior, the schools have been getting inferior students (Postman, 309). The students are not inferior in our education system. If we were to look in depth at some of the issues we hold, maybe that mindset would change. What makes us inferior is the fact that we do not teach our children things they need to know before beginning school, we have a horribly structured school day, we believe that socioeconomic status will change a student’s learning and ability and we believe in punishing students who cause disturbances. These are all very low and hurtful perspectives to hold when discussing education.
This article discusses the problems with disorder in the education system and how Postman believes we should fix those issues. He proposes various different solutions; some
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I can guarantee that punishment is not the answer. Punishment is a suggestion made by reformers (Postman, 311), but it is the absolute worst decision that can be made in our schools. When students get out of school suspension (OSS), they treat it as a vacation day and most of them use it to play video games, and they still get to make up the work they missed. A countless amount of kids in my high school did exactly that. On another side of that, punishment is giving a student attention. Not a great kind of attention, but attention nonetheless. If a student really wants attention, it won’t matter to them what kind. If something is awry in the classroom, it should be ignored. Usually in situations where students are causing a disturbance, it is because they crave the attention. Punishing them is falling right into their
... is brought about. For school faculty, whether it be the teacher, custodians, etc, bringing it to the principle to come up with a resolution such as detention, counselling or getting the child more involved in extra curricular activities should be considered. For instance, if the child bullied more than once to the same or different kids, perhaps more time in detention, bringing it to the attention of the principle and participating in extra curricular activities like cleaning up the trash from the school grounds,etc to keep that child busy. If it gets to the point of being out of control, perhaps suspending or expelling the child. Even If the child is a first time offender, letting the parent know as soon as possible to correct the issue as well as detention to keep a close watch on the child. The moment they act out again, the more strict the punishment should be.
Labaree discusses how the United State’s education is in a school syndrome, as people in America want schools to teach society’s ideals as well as let people express their individuality. These two demands are polar opposites that cannot be achieved. As the focus goes towards balancing these in hopes of improving society as a whole, the bettering of actual student learning is put on pause. Labaree talks about the beginning of education reform, in the 19th century, being the most successful in developing society; however, as education reform continued throughout time, its effectiveness wore off. He then addresses how the desire for education reform is more about improving society than it is about learning. He finishes his argument by providing possible solutions to fixing this problem, but states that fixing this problem will never happen because no one is willing to give up both demands. Overall, Labaree goes in wonderful detail explaining the problems of education reform. What made me choose this article was that he addressed the desire that people have on school systems in promoting both society normality and individuality. This correlates well with my topic in whether public school systems promote conformist ideals or individuality.
The greatest country in the world still has problems evenly distributing education to its youth. The articles I have read for this unit have a common theme regarding our education system. The authors illustrate to the reader about the struggles in America concerning how we obtain and education. Oppression, politics, racism, and socioeconomic status are a few examples of what is wrong with our country and its means of delivering a fair education to all Americans.
America has not changed it’s educational system in over two hundred years. For this reason, our students and population are falling further and further behind. Our society has done nothing but move forward, so why hasn’t our learning? Everybody has a story, opinion, or response to education. We need to invest in refining our tools to succeed, to create a better sense of self, and a stronger, more well-rounded nation. The American educational system is hurting students by passing them without merit and relying on standardized tests; however, many are now running back to these hollowed halls to ensure better futures.
It’s no surprise that there are faults within our schools in today’s society. As both authors’ point out if our educational system is
We live in a society where we are surrounded by people telling us that school/education and being educated is the only way to succeed. However, the school system is not up to the standards we want it to uphold. There are three issues we discuss the most which are the government, the student, and the teacher. In John Taylor Gatto 's essay “Against School”, we see the inside perspective of the educational system from the view of a teacher. In “I Just Wanna Be Average”, an essay written by Mike Rose, we hear a student 's experience of being in a vocational class in the lower level class in the educational system when he was supposed to be in the higher class. Both Gatto and Rose give their opinions on how the educational system is falling apart. Today the government is only trying to get students to pass, making it hard for teachers to teach what they want. Students are affected everyday by the school system. They sit there - bored - and do not think that the teachers care, making the
Education supports everyone getting opportunities in life and being able to choose better for themselves. As Horace Mann wrote, education is the “great equalizer for all.“ However, the United States Public School system will likely never be able to equally educate its masses of students. Public school educating all fairly is a myth.There is no one entity to blame for this failure. The failure lies with each student who has been conditioned to sit passively in an un-engaging classroom. Its failure lies in some students disrespectfully distracting their classmates and frustrating their once inspired teacher or administrator. The failure lies with administration being distracted with causes of the moment and burns out from knowing that all
America’s school system and student population remains segregated, by race and class. The inequalities that exist in schools today result from more than just poorly managed schools; they reflect the racial and socioeconomic inequities of society as a whole. Most of the problems with schools boil down to either racism in and outside the school system or financial disparity between wealthy and poor school districts. Because schools receive funding through local property taxes, low-income communities start at an economic disadvantage. Less funding means fewer resources, lower quality instruction and curricula, and little to no community involvement.
The Quality of a child’s education often either limits or opens up a world of opportunities. Those who study the purpose of public education and the way it is distributed throughout society can often identify clear correlations between social class and the type of education a student receives. It is generally known by society that wealthy families obtain the best opportunities money can buy. Education is a tool of intellectual and economical empowerment and since the quality of education is strongly influenced by social class, a smaller portion of the American population obtains the opportunities acquired from a top notch education. Many people believe that educational inequalities are perpetuated from the interests of specific classes, but some researchers like John Gatto believe that there are even stronger social forces in play. In the essay “Against Schools” the author John Gatto presents three arguments: (1) that are educational system is flawed, (2) that the American educational system is purposely designed to create a massive working class that is easy to manipulate, and (3) alternative teaching methods should be applied to teach children to think for themselves. In this essay I will be summarizing and relating each of these arguments to other educational essays. Also, I will be discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s argument.
Neil Postman says “To put it simply, there us no surer way to bring an end to education, than for education to have no end”(Postman,4). This is the main idea that Postman bases his whole book on. To actually ever stop learning, is the only way to actually end the process of education. Postman thinks that our youth, the parents, and the teachers all must have a “god” or several “gods” to work for. A “god “ or a purpose is something that we should take very seriously, and should use it to reach our goals. Postman belive that there are these gods for whom we work for, but that in our culture today most of our gods fail. These failed gods or “false gods” are what direct us to the end, according to Postman.
Furthermore it is now against the law for a teacher to hit their pupils, yet in most cases this doesn’t affect their ability to keep order in the class room. Prior to 1988, teachers were allowed to smack, cain and use various forms of physical punishment in the name of discipline. Since the change in the law teachers now use less aggressive forms of discipline, with no loss of respect or control. The use of time outs and detentions is a good way to deter children from disruptive and negative behaviour. This coupled with an explanation of why they are in trouble tells a child what they have done and time to think about it.
Educators attempt to change that system to make it better, but their change was not that great as an example for the world. Also, did that change qualify education systems to compete with other systems or not? Some examples and reasons have made me agree with some of the points from Gatto’s and Edmunson’s and disagree with them. John Taylor Gatto, in his essay “Against School: How Public Education Cripples our Kids, and why,” argues that the contemporary purpose of education in public schools is to produce “harmless electorate,” “a servile labor force,” and “mindless consumers” (28). According to Gatto, he is blaming public schools for claiming that the purpose of education is to shape students to certain expectations and habits without their interests.
After rules and procedures are established, it is important that the teacher admires good performance and provides negative consequences for unacceptable behavior. According to Marzano and Marzano (2003), the use of both verbal and physical reactions will help teachers reinforce classroom procedures (p.8). Simple physical signs like a “thumbs up” or a verbal “good job” will show the students that good behavior is recognized. Also, a teacher must be consistent with punishments for those who disregard the rules. “How you handle a situation with any student will teach that student something – as well as everyone else in the room” (Solan, 2002). It is essential that the teacher communicates immediately with a misbehaving student. Using different methods, like simply moving closer to the one who is disruptive, could be a cue which may reduce the chance of interrupting the whole class (Petch-Hogan & Murdick, 1996). A warning can often be enough to correct improper behavior, thereby avoiding the need to assert full punishment.
In 1971, a philosopher by the name of Ivan Illich published a book called “Deschooling Society” – a critique of education in modern societies which called for the imminent disestablishment of schools. His radical ideas highlighted the institutionalisation of schools and he advocated self-motivated learning that could only occur outside of formal school boundaries. Many dismissed his thoughts as impractical or too radical for his time and while schools did not in fact disappear, Illich put forward ideas that still hold some relevance to this day (Hart, 2000). This essay will discuss what Illich sees as the aims of education, how he thinks these can be achieved and what the outcome would be if these ideas were applied to the present-day education system.
Punishment is most effective when it is presented immediately after a response, it cannot be escaped, it is intense as necessary and an alternative and desirable response is available to the student. It is a weapon that can be a risky for the teachers as it is distasteful to the student. (Gage & David , 1992). Furthermore, the frequent use of punishment is a symptom of something wrong in teacher’s approaches and methods in the school situation. It is a challenge for teacher to discover and correct the problem and to reduce the need of punishment.