Agent of Change

Being a part of the agent of change project and creating this blog has taught me that our opinions can be heard by people all around the world. There are many other people in the world who share the same opinions or are interested in similar topics. This project has also taught me everyone is capable of change if they are willing to put in the time and effort to research their topic they want to change. After researching, one must be willing to express their opinion and the more ways one chooses to express those feelings the more likely they will be heard. When creating a blog it is important to use all your resources to get people to read your posts such as tweeting out the link. In the future, if I feel very adamant about something I will create a blog to express my opinions and have others back up my opinions by viewing, reading, or responding to my blog.

In the future I would suggest having two separate twitter accounts per student, one for the class and history in general and one for the agent of change project. This way the accounts will have a better chance of acquiring followers for their agent of change topic.

http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2013/08/15/change-agent-interview-kelly-mitchell-agent-caffeine/

Be the Change

As I come to a conclusion it is important to remember there is always room for improvement. America's schools have come a long way but still have a long way to go. In an interview I had with my teacher Mr. Field, he eloquently stated "Education should be in a continual state of transformation, so we are reflecting and continue grow on the foundation that has been laid before.  The system in the past fit the needs of the past, we now have to continually reflect and act on how to do meet the needs of the present and future." 
America's education system right now is all about memorization and good grades, but the goal of the system according to Mr. Field should be "to provide young people with the skill set and knowledge to be successful in society in present day and future.  However, the definition of success is a matter of opinion." Throughout all transformations America goes through our education system should always be changing to uphold this goal. Lastly, Mr Field offers a possible way of fixing our education system. He suggest we educate, he further explains, "we expect students to learn, so administrators and teachers need to continue to learn and grow in order to put themselves in the best position to do their jobs…educate young people." The bill Strengthening America's Schools is a step into this change we need. It will call for an education system fitted to our present needs.

As I have stated in past blogs this bill is an important step in creating a brighter, stronger future for America. Now it is your turn to take part and be a change. Call, email, or write a letter to your senator or representative to make them aware you support this bill and ask for their support also!



Sources:
Interview- Mr. Michael Field
picture- http://soulselfliving.com/make-your-voice-heard/

Strengthen America's Schools

If the bill Strengthening America's Schools Act of 2013 is passed, countless positive results will occur however there also are a few cons of the bill. The bill "requires states to adopt academic content and achievement standards in science by the end of 2014 that are aligned with the knowledge and skills needed to be college and career ready." This requirement will better prepare students for college and allow them to have a sturdy background in science to help them in their career and college studies. The bill also "requires the achievement standards to establish the level of performance expected for each grade level that demonstrates that the student has mastered the material in the state academic content standards for that grade level." This requirement will verify the students are learning all important information before advancing onto new topics.

The biggest con of this bill is the money the schools will need to meet new requirements. It will cost more to have the students take more tests. It will also be more costly for the school because they will need to hire teachers that will provide an education that will allow a student to be "college ready."

There are pros and cons to every decision we make, however the pros outweigh the cons of the bill Strengthening America's Schools so everyone should encourage their representatives to pass this bill. If this bill is passed we will have brighter students which will lead to brighter leaders and a brighter future. By strengthening America's schools we can strengthen America's future!




Sources:
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s1094#summary
http://jauhaterritory.blogspot.com/

NYU Professor Recognizes a Problem With American Education

It is not a secret that our American Education system has a multitude of issues,even teachers such as Diane Ravitch, a professor at New York University, are willing to admit there are faults. Diane Ravitch was the assistant secretary of state for President George H.W. Bush. She believes American Education puts an unnecessarily large emphasis on tests. Numerous schools have attempted to evaluate their teachers by their student's test scores but Ravitch argues this puts too much pressure on tests and leads teachers to teach lessons adjusted towards the tests instead of adjusting the tests to the class. She goes as far to say the American Education system is a 'hoax' because there is no evidence behind the program. Ravitch believes the "American Education should provide equality of educational opportunity, not a market-based system where some lose and everyone else loses." She opposes the Race To The Top (RTTT) because it rewards states that promote standards for student preparation for college. According to Ravitch, this puts a view on the children as "global competitors" and does not allow the children to fully live out their lives. Lastly, Ravitch also argues closing of schools that are'under performing' does not solve the problem. The students at the schools have low test scores and Ravitch believes these students have needs which must be met. Closing the schools do not help the children, rather it ignores the problem. There are many educators, parents, and students who agree with Diane Ravitch that the American Education System is in need of an update in order to strengthen our schools.

Citations:

1) http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DjvS_UxowkE/TMdtnXZYgLI/AAAAAAAACJ0/lKB-VrqICPg/s1600/diane_ravitch.png

2) http://reclaimreform.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/ravitch-ff-franchises.jpg

Read more about Diane Ravitch at: 

1) http://diverseeducation.com/article/61001/

2) http://dianeravitch.net/

History of Education

      Once upon a time in America there was a lack of an educational system. Reformers arouse and decided education would be a benefit to a new American society, where the youth were literate, good citizens. Reformers argued education would prevent crimes since there would be less free time if children were in schools. They accomplished their goal in 1918 when every state passed school attendance laws. Then, in the late 19th century colleges and universities were developed for students who wanted more research in their specific field of work. at first this higher degree of schooling was not popular, but by the late 1900's a little less than half of high school graduates attended higher education. Throughout the 1980's and 90's American education began having curriculum requirements for schools to verify that students mastered the correct information. Tests, group work, and projects were given  to students so students could be evaluated on the curriculum given to them, and to make sure the students are keeping up.

   

      In today's society, we are consistently told that a higher education is necessary to become successful in nearly every field of work. As of 2012, 66.2% of high school graduates in America enrolled into a college or university. Companies want to employ those with the best qualifications which is  becoming increasingly harder to do. In order to stand out against a fellow employee, often  one will stay in school longer or go back to school to get a higher degree. Fairly soon, a masters degree will not be enough to stay ahead of your competitors for jobs. Our education in America will constantly be increasing with the years of schooling required to receive good jobs unless another education reform comes about.
                      
Citations
1) http://www.bls.gov/news.release/hsgec.nr0.htm
2)http://icah.infobaselearning.com/icahencyarticle.aspx?ID=7258&search=American+education
3)http://library.sc.edu/blogs/newspaper/2012/03/14/exploring-the-progressive-era-in-historical-sc-newspapers-1900-1920s/
4) http://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/itv/articles/?id=2434

Understand, do not Memorize

In today's society school provides education for children and adults, although the type of education received is not always sufficient enough. Often, students like myself are told to memorize information given to them from their teachers. Students do not fully understand the concepts they should because teachers try to push through topics order to reach their goals for the end of the year. Many teachers have specific plans to stick to keep on track with their plans, although these teachers should be more interested in making sure their students understand topics before moving on towards new topics.

The Bill S. 1094: Strengthening America’s Schools Act of 2013 "Requires the achievement standards to establish the level of performance expected for each grade level that demonstrates that the student has mastered the material in the state academic content standards for that grade level." This bill will help students fully master and understand material before advancing to new lessons.

Through my blog, I will continue to post about bills helping schools advance education for students to learn more through schools instead of regurgitating definitions given by teachers. I hope all of you will become more aware of the problems within our education system but more importantly ways to fix and update our system of education.

-Erin Kurtz

Picture Credit: http://www.e-marshall.k12.ia.us/school2.jpg