Last night I was researching for some articles to get me started on the project and I ran across this one from the Smart City Memphis Blog (smartcitymemphis.blogspot.com) entitled, "Yo! What About The Other Failing Schools?".
The first quote that struck me was this one: "to be judged as proficient in reading in Tennessee classrooms, an eighth grader has to answer only 40 percent of the questions right...Last time, we got one of our children’s report cards, that test score was a solid "F" no matter who calculated it."
It also states that the percent you need to score right to pass has also dropped from 51 percent to 40 percent in the past few years.
To pass a test not even answering half of the questions right is insane. Getting a 69 or below on test (out of a 100 percent) was failing when I was in the eighth grade. And this is the reading test. I read earlier that our math was in bad shape but it looks like reading can use some work too. Reading is a necessary skill of life, and to pass kids along when they haven't learned the skills they need at that age is crazy.
Checking out some other resources, like the Shelby County report card from the TN Department of Education website, it seems like schools really are falling over the years. The Memphis Blog also stated that "And the fact is that the board has looked the other way year after year as traditional public schools affecting the lives of tens of thousands of students fail to meet standards even as the standards themselves were being reduced." Kids' grades are getting worse and worse (according to this and that report card too) and yet they keep lowering the standards?!
It's sort of like here at U of M. They keep lowering the minimal ACT score to get in (as I heard from a professor I had last semester), but that doesn't mean the standards to stay here are lowered. If anything, the standards should be raised to get kids up to the level they need to be.
Being only 13 or 14 years old as an eighth grader, and knowing that I didn't even need to get half the answers right to pass, I doubt I would be working exceedingly hard to improve my reading abilities. That's probably the mind set of a lot of people. As long as we pass, then it's okay right?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Teachers (School Assessment Project)
Some people in class Tuesday thought it was the teachers’ fault for kids’ failing or not learning the material, while others thought it was the students’. I think it a bit of both actually. I think that if you stuck me in a room, with a math book and everything else I would need, and I actually had the drive and desire to learn math, I don’t think I would be able to do it. I’m naturally bad at math, and I need someone to help me. Same thing with foreign languages. If someone isn’t there pronouncing it or helping me get through the tough grammar sections, I can’t do it. It helps a lot to have the teacher there to go over the material, talk about it, and provide examples.
I’m not totally disagreeing with the ‘it’s the student’s fault’ opinion either. The student needs to have the drive and desire to learn the material. I hate math most of the time, so I usually don’t want to learn it. I tend to zone out when math is the topic. Math doesn’t ‘click’ for me very easily, so I often don’t want to even try to learn it. When I do want good grades though, I really try to listen to the teacher and actually try to get it. It makes a big difference. When I actually do the work and put effort into it, I find that I can understand it and that I can get good grades in math.
I still need a teacher to help me though, or anyone else who’s good at math. I could have all of the best math books and resources in the world right on front of me, but it really wouldn’t make a difference without the guidance.
I’m not totally disagreeing with the ‘it’s the student’s fault’ opinion either. The student needs to have the drive and desire to learn the material. I hate math most of the time, so I usually don’t want to learn it. I tend to zone out when math is the topic. Math doesn’t ‘click’ for me very easily, so I often don’t want to even try to learn it. When I do want good grades though, I really try to listen to the teacher and actually try to get it. It makes a big difference. When I actually do the work and put effort into it, I find that I can understand it and that I can get good grades in math.
I still need a teacher to help me though, or anyone else who’s good at math. I could have all of the best math books and resources in the world right on front of me, but it really wouldn’t make a difference without the guidance.
Thursday In Class Writing
Well, I’ve chosen the issue of school assessment. I remember we talked about city schools and teachers when the issue came up. When we talked about whether it was the student’s fault or the teacher’s fault, I knew I had an opinion on that.
Like I said, I’ve gone to a private school my whole life and I’m not sure of the difference. I’ve heard that private schools are a lot better academically than public schools, but I’ve also heard they’re about the same. I think it would be interesting to look at this from my point of view, since I don’t know much and I have the ability to compare public school to life in a private school.
I’ve always heard Memphis city schools are in bad shape. I always just believed this, so I want to try looking into it more. I heard a statistic once that said Tennessee schools were ranked…something like 45 or 46 in the nation (out of all 50 states). I heard this a few years ago from a history teacher I had, so I’m not sure if that’s word for word correct. If it is, than that’s pretty bad. I really want to know if there is that big a difference between the public and private.
Reading over what I wrote Thursday in class, it just seems like “Yeah, duh. Of course there’s a big difference.” It seems pretty obvious. But then again, it’s only rumors I’ve heard. I’m going to really have to look at what the curriculum is in Memphis city schools. Most of the people in our class seem to have gone to a public school…guess I should ask you guys!
Have a good night and see you Tuesday.
Like I said, I’ve gone to a private school my whole life and I’m not sure of the difference. I’ve heard that private schools are a lot better academically than public schools, but I’ve also heard they’re about the same. I think it would be interesting to look at this from my point of view, since I don’t know much and I have the ability to compare public school to life in a private school.
I’ve always heard Memphis city schools are in bad shape. I always just believed this, so I want to try looking into it more. I heard a statistic once that said Tennessee schools were ranked…something like 45 or 46 in the nation (out of all 50 states). I heard this a few years ago from a history teacher I had, so I’m not sure if that’s word for word correct. If it is, than that’s pretty bad. I really want to know if there is that big a difference between the public and private.
Reading over what I wrote Thursday in class, it just seems like “Yeah, duh. Of course there’s a big difference.” It seems pretty obvious. But then again, it’s only rumors I’ve heard. I’m going to really have to look at what the curriculum is in Memphis city schools. Most of the people in our class seem to have gone to a public school…guess I should ask you guys!
Have a good night and see you Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Brainstorming
Thanks for the nice comments on my first blog. It usually takes some time for me to open up so my posts will get better. Hopefully I won’t get too informal, because then these posts would be nothing but emoticons and some l33t. :P (Oh, great. There’s one now.)
I'm trying to think up a good topic to use for class tomorrow. I liked anything we talked about that had to do with school, since I've been going to school for so long.
I've gone to a private school my whole life, so I didn't know what to say about issues like bussing or public school teachers. On the topic of teachers though, I think I can come up with a lot to say. Teachers in private schools usually didn't 'pass' us along, but I've had easy ones that give grades. Some people in class thought it was the student's fault for not learning, while others thought it was the teacher's. I think it is a bit of both, so I think I would like to expand on that. (<--- Did you notice how much I said ‘I think’ in this paragraph?)
Things like religious fanaticism also interest me, but I’m not sure if I can talk about that. That’s really a topic that gets me riled up, so I’m sure Wendy would rather me go with that instead of a topic I don’t like. I know that kind of sounds like a bizarre topic, but I really want to talk about it, at least more than the political issues. Another thing that I would like to talk about is violence in the media. These are a couple of topics I have an opinion on so I think I’ll bring these to class tomorrow.
I just checked the 1020 blog and it seems like we have to stay within the topics we talked about in class Tuesday. I don’t think either of the things I mentioned fall under any of that either. Dangit.
Oh, well. I’ll think of something.
Later.
I'm trying to think up a good topic to use for class tomorrow. I liked anything we talked about that had to do with school, since I've been going to school for so long.
I've gone to a private school my whole life, so I didn't know what to say about issues like bussing or public school teachers. On the topic of teachers though, I think I can come up with a lot to say. Teachers in private schools usually didn't 'pass' us along, but I've had easy ones that give grades. Some people in class thought it was the student's fault for not learning, while others thought it was the teacher's. I think it is a bit of both, so I think I would like to expand on that. (<--- Did you notice how much I said ‘I think’ in this paragraph?)
Things like religious fanaticism also interest me, but I’m not sure if I can talk about that. That’s really a topic that gets me riled up, so I’m sure Wendy would rather me go with that instead of a topic I don’t like. I know that kind of sounds like a bizarre topic, but I really want to talk about it, at least more than the political issues. Another thing that I would like to talk about is violence in the media. These are a couple of topics I have an opinion on so I think I’ll bring these to class tomorrow.
I just checked the 1020 blog and it seems like we have to stay within the topics we talked about in class Tuesday. I don’t think either of the things I mentioned fall under any of that either. Dangit.
Oh, well. I’ll think of something.
Later.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
First Weekly Blog Post
Hi everyone.
I glanced at some people's manifestos from the links on the 1020 blog and realized mine sounds a little too formal. I didn't think we could be be this relaxed when typing essays. I did get more relaxed when I got to my beliefs though. It wouldn't have sounded right to say what I think using words I don't normally use when I speak.
Well, this is my first time blogging, and I'm not even sure what to do. Doing five of these a week sounds like a load to be honest. Wendy scared me in class today when she said 750 words every time -_-. My social life and free time would have been shot dead. It takes me a long time to write stuff, but I generally tend to be a motor mouth anyway when I type.
I'm sort of nervous about this blog truthfully. Today in class I realized I couldn't argue for the issues, or I didn't even have an opinion on the issues. So stating my beliefs which other people will read and comment on kind of makes me nervous. I'm sure I'll be able to do better as time goes on though. I usually don't make people mad when I state my beliefs, so it'll be okay. The thing is, I'm pretty laid back and can go either way on a lot of things. Unfortunately, I'm pretty easily swayed too, so I hope that changes by the end of the semester. I hate going back and forth so much!
Anyway, I've never had a class that used the internet this much, especially an English class. I think it'll be interesting, but I'm not much of a blogger to be honest! (You could probably tell) Hopefully I'll think of more interesting blog posts from here on out.
See you guys in class!
I glanced at some people's manifestos from the links on the 1020 blog and realized mine sounds a little too formal. I didn't think we could be be this relaxed when typing essays. I did get more relaxed when I got to my beliefs though. It wouldn't have sounded right to say what I think using words I don't normally use when I speak.
Well, this is my first time blogging, and I'm not even sure what to do. Doing five of these a week sounds like a load to be honest. Wendy scared me in class today when she said 750 words every time -_-. My social life and free time would have been shot dead. It takes me a long time to write stuff, but I generally tend to be a motor mouth anyway when I type.
I'm sort of nervous about this blog truthfully. Today in class I realized I couldn't argue for the issues, or I didn't even have an opinion on the issues. So stating my beliefs which other people will read and comment on kind of makes me nervous. I'm sure I'll be able to do better as time goes on though. I usually don't make people mad when I state my beliefs, so it'll be okay. The thing is, I'm pretty laid back and can go either way on a lot of things. Unfortunately, I'm pretty easily swayed too, so I hope that changes by the end of the semester. I hate going back and forth so much!
Anyway, I've never had a class that used the internet this much, especially an English class. I think it'll be interesting, but I'm not much of a blogger to be honest! (You could probably tell) Hopefully I'll think of more interesting blog posts from here on out.
See you guys in class!
Monday, January 21, 2008
My Manifesto
Throughout history people have communicated their thoughts, beliefs, values, and
motives through statements known as manifestos. A manifesto is an individual’s or entire group’s intentions, motives, or views written as a statement (Webster). A manifesto is meant to declare what it is exactly someone or a whole group of people believe in, most notably done in a list format. Some famous manifestos include the Declaration of Independence and The Sharon Statement. The Declaration expresses the beliefs that all men are created equal, every person has unalienable rights, and that a government derives it powers from the consent of the governed (National Archives). It is these beliefs, written in the form of a manifesto, that govern the United States of America. The Sharon Statement also expresses the beliefs of a single group (the Young Americans for Freedom) in the form of a manifesto. The Statement declares that liberty is indivisible, political freedom and economic freedom must coexist, and international Communism is the single greatest threat to US liberties (Sharon Statement). Using these manifestos as guides, I have constructed my own manifesto which encompasses my own beliefs and values.
As a student of English 1020, I believe that I will gain valuable knowledge and argumentative skills from this class. I will listen to my peers and be completely open to their views and opinions while forming and thinking about my own. I will learn new ways to approach and look at things, and be mindful of other’s approaches as well.
As an individual in this English class, I believe:
Every person is created equal and there are no exceptions
Anyone’s opinion is as good as another’s
To be truthful about what you believe, but also keep in mind others’beliefs who are listening to you
In being understanding and not overly biased
That there is good in everyone
I believe in freedom, but also that there should be laws to keep people in check
Everyone is entitled to freedom or to make their own choices
I believe in fairness
I believe everyone has rights
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion
You can amount to anything if you put your mind to it
That everyone is good at something
You should always try your hardest and try not to give up
There is a higher power
Hard work gets rewarded
That skipping class in college is a bad idea
I believe somewhat in the idea of karma-that wrong actions will eventually receive just punishment
Letting people make their own decisions instead of forcing them to believe something
That failure, hardship, and pain are a part of life
I believe in the conservation of resources
Sometimes simple is best
Money should be saved and not wasted
You can learn something new everyday
School can be boring but it’s necessary
That learning can be enjoyable
You should always follow your heart-but use your head too
That stereotypes are not cool
There’s not the “best” of anything (no “best band” or “best artist,” etc.); it’s all opinions
Everyone and everything has their good points and bad points
Personality is the key to a person-not looks
People are not always what they’re cracked up to be
There’s no such thing as ‘perfection’ and there’s always room for improvement
That celebrities and reality shows are overrated
That if television died, it would not be the end of the world
That clothes cost too much
That video games might rot your brain, but that doesn’t make them any less fun
You should meet deadlines, but it’s better late than never
One should always be honest
I believe you should never act like someone or something your not
You should always be true to yourself
Popularity and fame always has its downfalls
You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover-or a person for that matter
Finally, I believe that a 750 word essay is a lot longer than I thought
All of these beliefs and more I forgot to mention are a part of my own manifesto. I try to live my life everyday following what I believe and what I think is right. Even if my opinions or ideas differ greatly from another’s, I try to be as open and understanding as I can. Although I don’t like stepping on people’s toes, I don’t like when people misjudge or misunderstand me either. I may not always think but I always try to listen.
As a student in this class, I hope to better explain my views and formulate my own ideas. I hope to listen to what somebody says and effectively pick out their opinions and thoughts. Finally, I hope to become a better arguer of what I think and believe is right.
Sources:
The Sharon Statement (http://www.fiu.edu/~yaf/sharon.html)
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (http://www.webster.com/dictionary/manifesto)
The National Archives Experience (http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/declaration_transcript.html)
motives through statements known as manifestos. A manifesto is an individual’s or entire group’s intentions, motives, or views written as a statement (Webster). A manifesto is meant to declare what it is exactly someone or a whole group of people believe in, most notably done in a list format. Some famous manifestos include the Declaration of Independence and The Sharon Statement. The Declaration expresses the beliefs that all men are created equal, every person has unalienable rights, and that a government derives it powers from the consent of the governed (National Archives). It is these beliefs, written in the form of a manifesto, that govern the United States of America. The Sharon Statement also expresses the beliefs of a single group (the Young Americans for Freedom) in the form of a manifesto. The Statement declares that liberty is indivisible, political freedom and economic freedom must coexist, and international Communism is the single greatest threat to US liberties (Sharon Statement). Using these manifestos as guides, I have constructed my own manifesto which encompasses my own beliefs and values.
As a student of English 1020, I believe that I will gain valuable knowledge and argumentative skills from this class. I will listen to my peers and be completely open to their views and opinions while forming and thinking about my own. I will learn new ways to approach and look at things, and be mindful of other’s approaches as well.
As an individual in this English class, I believe:
Every person is created equal and there are no exceptions
Anyone’s opinion is as good as another’s
To be truthful about what you believe, but also keep in mind others’beliefs who are listening to you
In being understanding and not overly biased
That there is good in everyone
I believe in freedom, but also that there should be laws to keep people in check
Everyone is entitled to freedom or to make their own choices
I believe in fairness
I believe everyone has rights
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion
You can amount to anything if you put your mind to it
That everyone is good at something
You should always try your hardest and try not to give up
There is a higher power
Hard work gets rewarded
That skipping class in college is a bad idea
I believe somewhat in the idea of karma-that wrong actions will eventually receive just punishment
Letting people make their own decisions instead of forcing them to believe something
That failure, hardship, and pain are a part of life
I believe in the conservation of resources
Sometimes simple is best
Money should be saved and not wasted
You can learn something new everyday
School can be boring but it’s necessary
That learning can be enjoyable
You should always follow your heart-but use your head too
That stereotypes are not cool
There’s not the “best” of anything (no “best band” or “best artist,” etc.); it’s all opinions
Everyone and everything has their good points and bad points
Personality is the key to a person-not looks
People are not always what they’re cracked up to be
There’s no such thing as ‘perfection’ and there’s always room for improvement
That celebrities and reality shows are overrated
That if television died, it would not be the end of the world
That clothes cost too much
That video games might rot your brain, but that doesn’t make them any less fun
You should meet deadlines, but it’s better late than never
One should always be honest
I believe you should never act like someone or something your not
You should always be true to yourself
Popularity and fame always has its downfalls
You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover-or a person for that matter
Finally, I believe that a 750 word essay is a lot longer than I thought
All of these beliefs and more I forgot to mention are a part of my own manifesto. I try to live my life everyday following what I believe and what I think is right. Even if my opinions or ideas differ greatly from another’s, I try to be as open and understanding as I can. Although I don’t like stepping on people’s toes, I don’t like when people misjudge or misunderstand me either. I may not always think but I always try to listen.
As a student in this class, I hope to better explain my views and formulate my own ideas. I hope to listen to what somebody says and effectively pick out their opinions and thoughts. Finally, I hope to become a better arguer of what I think and believe is right.
Sources:
The Sharon Statement (http://www.fiu.edu/~yaf/sharon.html)
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (http://www.webster.com/dictionary/manifesto)
The National Archives Experience (http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/declaration_transcript.html)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)