Blogs

1. Article title: Second Thoughts on Online Education Is an online education or traditional classroom education better? This is a question that many people may begin asking themselves once ready to attend college. People learn in many different ways, online education may work for someone while being in front of a teacher may work for someone else. There can be many positive things about taking online courses and many negative. As a student I learn best when I am in a classroom with other students and paying close attention to the teacher. As stated in the article people receiving an online education may leave all their work to be done right before the end of a semester or before a test. This may be due to the fact that there is no teacher guidance or pressure. As proven in the article Hispanic people learn better by physically being in a lecture hall or classroom where they can see their professor teach and view the body language being used. On the other hand getting an online education may be quicker, easier and more effective for some people. I believe that you must do what is best for you and your education.

2. Article title: New Jersey to Review Tenure Rules

This article spoke about the desire to eliminate tenure. The mission is to extract all ineffective teachers from the educational field. The article also stresses the belief that teacher’s should have their salaries based solely on students’ academic achievements. I disagree with both of these prompts. Governor Chris Christie believes that this would improve education in schools and benefit the students. In the long run it will cause teachers to compete with each other and they will begin to teach specifically towards the standardized tests. In effect the students will not be taught by the curriculum and they will not be learning to the best of their ability. Since I am interested in entering the education field it would be most beneficial that these proposals do not come into effect. Obtaining tenure is one of the many benefits that come along with becoming a teacher. It was created to provide job security in this field. I believe that it would be unfair to take it away. Secondly, having a salary based upon how well students are doing may sound like an effective way to depict between good and bad teachers but it is not an accurate measurement of a teacher’s ability to teach.

3. Article title: Making Math Lessons as Easy as 1, Pause 2, Pause....

This article speaks about the Singapore Math program that has been developing throughout the years. It is believed that students learn better by taking a slower approach towards math. This program focuses more on teaching fewer math topics in a class so that the material is taken in at a slower rate and also provides the children with a good understanding of the topic using hands-on learning and problem solving. According to the article teachers and principals believe that by slowering down the curriculum the students obtain and grasp better knowledge on the subject matter. Therefore some educators highly believe in what Singapore has to offer. As proven in the article, this math program has helped students raise their standardized testing scores. This makes both and school and the students look good. There are many different views on whether or not this program is efficient enough. In my opinion, I think it is a great learning tool and will provide a positive future for many schools that face hardships in math. As a student I faced many of my own difficulties with math whether it be perhaps the topic was too tough or it was being taught at a vigourously fast pace. By knowing what works best for me and what does not, I know that the Singapore Math program would have helped me overcome my challenges that I faced in math.

4. Article title: Grading College Athletes

As stated in the article, there is a relationship bewteen college students grades and their participation on an athletic team. According to the research that has been done, a majority of male athletes had lower GPA's compared to females and students who are not on a sports team. This blog also compared students GPA's and participation on an athletic team to whether or not they attended a highly, moderately, or low selective school. It is a good thing that sports play an important role in many students lives. On the other hand, sports should not interfere with student's grades or academic achievement. School should come first and students should figure out their priorities. Being on a sports team throughout highschool has had both positive and negative effects. It became hard to manage at times but it was all worth it. I got a great high school experience while maintaing a high grade point average. It also taught me how important time management is.

__﻿Quarter 2__
1. Title: Class Sizes Grew in City Despite Deal to Cut Them

This article discusses the hardships many schools are facing now which are dealing with increasing classroom sizes. Due the economy teachers are being cut and classes are increasing in size. According to the Department of Education,elementary schools this year have the highest increase. A few years ago the city was commited to reducing class sizes in all grades in exchange for state money. Recently the city has been blamed for not using the funds for reducuing class size. People believe that it is being used for other things such as paying specialized teachers and for team-teaching. This article also states that students are struggling because teachers do not have enough one on one time with the students. They are too busy focusing on the class as a group because there are so many students. In my opinion, I believe that small classrooms are better for both the students and teachers. Having a good student-teacher ratio is important. An average class size should be 18-20 students. I learn better in a class where the teacher has time to work with everyone individually if needed.

2. Title: More Professors Give Out Hand-Held Devices to Monitor Students and Engage Them

This article speaks about a new device that has been distributed to students at Northwestern University. It is a handheld device which is used for many purposes. The "clickers" that the students have can automatically clock in the students as "present" as they walk into the class. It is also used to answer multiple choice quetions on tests. A useful portion of this device is that with just a click it can signal to the professor that a student may need some assitence with the lesson or test. The professors mentioned in the article stated that this device is extremely resourceful and provides positive feedback. It is an effective way to keep the students involved and motivated in a way that they can relate to. This new technology is incorporated in many lessons taugh by teachers in a quick and easy way. I would enjoy using this new device as a student and as a teacher. It seems like a fun and exciting way to learn and display a lesson.

3. Title: U.S School Graduation Rate Is Rising

The article mentions that graduation rates have been increasing in the 21st century compared to the major decline during the 20th century. Drop out rates have been decreasing as well. It is also mentioned that certain states and school districts are not meeting the correct standards that must be met. Even though drop out rates have decreased throughout the nation, it is still seen as a major problem in many states. It is now the nations goal to catch everyone up to a high-achieving level of education for all states. The main idea of this article is to compare the achievment levels of different states on a general level. It is a good thing to have an increase in graduation rates in the United States. It shows how there are improvements within the school system nation-wide. As a teacher to be it is a good sign that schools are headed in a positive direction and not declining in graduation rates.

4. Title: The Pulse

This article discusses Rahm Emanual'a new idea to install a new math and english curriculum into Chicago's school system if he is elected as mayor. Emanual would like this new curriculum to teach towards the common standards. His goal is to better prepare students for college and the workplace. He believes that it would help teachers stop teaching towards standardized tests. A major concern by some is that this new curriculum will lead to more standardized testing and abuse of testing in schools. I believe that this new english and math curriculum can help students in the long run. As we all know the SAT test is fairly important when applying to college. This test is based on math and english. With Emanual's new curriculum, students would be able to improve in their math and english skills, therefore, creating an increase in SAT scores for many. I struggled with the SAT exam and would most likely have benefited from this new curriculum that Rahm Emanual would like to create.

5. Title: Teacher Ratings Get New Look, Pushed by a Rich Watcher

This article stresses the importance of evaluating teachers in schools. Bill Gates has recently invested money into financing a better system for evaluating teachers in classroom structure. This effort will hold teachers and schools more accountable for student achievement. Teachers are finding this system to have both positive and negative effects. They believe that the findings will lead to more scrutiny. They may also provide better guidance for what teachers are expected to do in the classroom to benefit their students education. Gate's is using digital videos in his research will will help evaluate teachers and help them learn how to improve or tell them what they are doing well. In my opinion, this new teacher evaluation system is a good idea. This system will enable observers to determine who the good teachers are versus who the bad ones are. The goal is to create better schools and a better education for the students.

6. Title: What Works in the Classroom? Ask the Students

This article suggests that student views on their teachers should be valued and taken into consideration when determining good teachers from bad teachers. Sudents who claimed that they had teachers who were good at maintaing their classrooms and were skillful at what they do, did better in that class overall. Standardized test scores increased and students learned more over the course of the year. Research has agreed with student perceptions of their teachers. Thousands of students have filled out surveys about the learning environment that their teachers create. I believe that it is a good idea to have a students outlook on whether a teacher is good or not. As a student I have figured out who the good and bad teachers are. It highly depends on their teaching styles and the effect that those styles have on my learning. In the field of education it is important to incorporate the way students feel about their teachers. This responsibility that the students now have can make a difference in the learning process for the future.

1. Title: Teachers’ Colleges Upset by Plan to Grade Them
 * __Quarter 3__**

This article discusses the new plan to start grading teachers' colleges. The schools are unhappy with this new plan. They belive that the system is unfair and that this profession does not want to be examined. Schools that do not send it the data and statistics that this plan entails them to then they will recieve an F. Education schools face criticism and scrutinty because people are beginning to blame the teaching schools for the weak academic skills that teachers are bringing with them to their jobs.The ratings system will consist of 17 standards. This system is a good idea in my opinion. It is important that teacher schools are effectively teaching their students how to become the best teacher they can possibly be. Schools should be held responsible for the failure of some teachers because that means that they have not done their job and their academic skills are weak.

2. Title: Schools Facing Cuts if Lunches Aren’t Paid For

In Corona, Queens there has been an issue reagrding school lunches. Some students are given reduced price lunches and free lunches, while others are able to pay the full price. Not all parents are paying what they are supposed to and are falling into school lunch debt. This school's principal is constantly sending out reminder notices, holding meetings, and contacting students throughout the school day in order to obtain the lost money. Schools are now cutting down what the children eat if they are not paying for their lunches. It should not be the schools job to collect money for students. There should be control over this problem. I feel bad for the schools that are faced with this problem. It can lead to an unfriendly and hostile environment for both students and teachers. Something must be done to put this to an end.

3. Title: Christie Proposes Ending Tenure for Poor Teachers

Governor of Princeton, N.J, Chris Christie called for an end to tenure for ineffective teachers. He believes that tenure should be given to highly effective teachers that are rated 3 years in a row. This will be based on a new evaluation system that would assess the performance of teachers based on their students' test scores and classroom observations and teacher practices. He would like to use the same system to base the decisions of teacher layoffs. Many people agree with Christie's new idea because it will allow administrators to make decisions based on student achievement. I agree with this new system. Some teachers have no effect on their students. It should be seen that teachers are not doing their jobs in the classroom. Student achievment depends on how well a teacher teaches his/her students. Tenure should be taken away from teachers who do not complete their jobs to their highest potential.

=
According to a new set of graduation statistics that were released, fewer then half of the students in the state are leaving high school prepared for college and well-paying careers. The Board of Regents recently met to discuss what to do with this new found data. One option is to have each district report the current graduation rates and college ready rates. Testing experts determined that a 75 on the English regents and an 80 on the math regents meant that students will get at least a C in college level courses. The wealthier districts have better results in graduation statistics. The reason for this is because these wealthier districts have better quality teachers and better programs. I believe that it is important for students to be well prepared and ready for college. If it means creating different standardized tests then it should be done. Students deserve to get the best education possible.=====

5. Title: Obamas Focus on Antibullying Efforts

In this article, President Obama and Michelle Obama opened a White House conference to bring up antibullying efforts in schools and communities nationwide. At this conference Obama made jokes about himself and shared life experiences with the people which I think is a good thing to do. It allows people to feel more comfortable with the subject area and it makes them want to do more to help put it to a stop. On a serious note he did mention how severe bullying can be and the effects of it. People have killed themselves and attempted suicide due to these circumstances. He gave tips on how to prevent bullying and how to handle it if it is seen. I belive that it is a good idea that Obama is showing his concern about this subject area because it is a very important topic and should be exposed to people. The President usually has a positive effect on people so hopefully people will take it into consideration and make a difference in the unfortunate world of bullying.

6. Title: In Florida, Push to Link Teacher Pay to Student Performance

In Florida the legislation is expected to follow through with a new bill. The bill states that school boards are allowed to fire teachers who do not have any effect on students. It will link the pay of new teachers to student performance. Many people believe that this bill will shake up the system of pay and tenure in Florida. Supporters of the bill believe that it will make it easier to reward and promote the states best teachers based on their work in the classroom rather then how long they have been teaching. I agree with this new bill because teachers should be good. They must have a positive effect on students and show students achievement. The better teachers deserve to be rewarded for the good work that they put forth in their career. Since I am interested in field of education, I believe that teachers should be on track and no what they are doing. This must show in the students level of achievement and determine the pay of a new teacher. Tenure will be cut but it will benefit everyone in the long run.