Those Who Can, Teach 10th Edition Kevin Ryan and James M. Cooper

CHAPTER 6Collin CollegeEDUC 1301

Con temporary Trends and Issues in Education

1Teaching Students with Special NeedsStudents who require special services for academic, physical, or behavioral needs may be mainstreamed into regular classrooms with two teachers working together.Inclusion classrooms offer all students significant possibilities. The inclusion teacher works closely with the regular classroom teacher.2The Inclusion ClassroomInclusion: Students with disabilities are in a regular class whole dayPros and cons- helps or hurts regular students? Mainstreaming: Students are in regular class for part of daySpecial education: Segregated classStigmatizes and inhibits growth?Why is there a disproportionate # of minority boys?How is the special education assessment made?3Individualized Educational ProgramPlan describing academic goals, services school will provide, and assessment strategy for each student with disabilitiesCreated through collaboration of teachers (general ed. & inclusion specialist for that class), school psychologist, administrators, students guardians4Gifted & Talented StudentsLearn differently from peers:Usually they learn faster and understand at more complex level Often demonstrate special creativityInclusion students can also be gifted and talented!Fewer poor & minority students identifiedParents less likely to demand inclusionStudents had fewer experiences that convey sense of giftedness5Gifted & Talented ProgramsEnrichment: Broadens curriculumClassroom-based activities to expand on unitAcceleration: Speed through curriculum, students may skip grades, graduate earlySegregated grade-level classesAdvanced placement classes (college credit)International Baccalaureate Program6Differentiated InstructionUses a variety of strategies to meet different learning needs- represents good teaching!Differences affect: What students need to learnPace of their learningLevel of support neededStudents learn best when:Supportive adults encourage themThe curriculum connects to their interests, lived experiencesThey feel respected & part of communityLearning opportunities are natural outgrowths of the classroom community.7Cooperative LearningProject-based: Students tackle a complex realistic task (often constructing something);

Problem-based: Students solve real problemsIn both approaches:Students collaborate in small teams, direct learningAll answers are respected and analyzedFocus is on an engaging, complex, real-life issue Students gain new academic, thinking, & social skillsAdds creativity & depth to study of subject8National-level Reform EffortsNational Educational GoalsWell-intentioned, but not achievableNo Child Left BehindNational StandardsDifficult because of decentralized state control Curriculum organizations offer widely-used standardsNational Voluntary Networks Schools & districtsHigh-school reform - governors coalitionCopyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.12 - 99No Child Left Behind ActThe major goal was to close the achievement gap between poor, minority students & white middle-class students;Instituted annual state and school report cards based on standardized test scores.If schools dont make annual yearly progress:Schools provide additional services (free tutoring)Schools must take corrective actionsStudents can transfer to better-performing school in districtStates & school districts given unprecedented flexibility in spending federal $Federal $ targeted to support programs and methods scientifically proven to improve student achievement

10NCLB ResultsFostered culture of test preparationAnnual standardized tests in math & reading for grades 3-8, but tests arent standardNarrowed curriculum, teaching practicesWidened gap between low- and high-achieving students!Went back to being called the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 2010

11Funding Sources in Texas

12Percentage of Revenues from Federal, State & Local Sources

13Mandated Achievement Testing in Texas STARRSTAAR tests:3-9 reading; 4,7 writing; 8 social studies 5,8, science Ratings:Exemplary, recognized, academically acceptable, academically unacceptableSubgroups:All students, African American, Hispanic, White, Economically DisadvantagedSTARR2011-12 begin EOC exams, eventually 12 EOC examsCopyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.12 - 14Forms of School ChoicePublic School ChoiceChoice of schools within a district Sometimes between districtsMagnet SchoolsPublic schools with specific themesCharter SchoolsPublic schools chartered to be run independentlyVoucher PlansPublic money to attend private schoolCopyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.12 - 1515Rise of Charter SchoolsCharter exempts school from certain rules, school produces set results by deadlineGoal: Innovative education, often for targeted populationsState or local ed. agency grants charterPublicly funded schoolsTeacher certification standards vary 40 states have charter school lawsNo clear evidence of success; supported by 2010 Race to the Top Federal Grant Competition.16The LotteryHarlem Success Academy100% students pass zone test compared to 58% of public school studentsReasons public schools unsuccessful (Eva Muskowitz)1)bureaucracy 2)union 3)cant fire teachers365,000 children on waiting lists for Charter SchoolsCopyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.12 - 17Arguments For and Against Voucher PlansForFamilies have widest possible range of education choicesFree-market competition will force schools to improveGood schools get strongerBad schools go out of businessAgainstSchools, rather than families, chooseThose not accepted remain in public systemVoucher amounts not enough for most private schoolsReduces funds for public schoolsPublic money could support religious schoolsCopyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.12 - 1818Middle Schools in Transition1980s: Many junior highs converted to middle schools to better serve young teens with interdisciplinary team-teaching

Research showed K-8 yields better academic & social successMany middle school teachers arent certified in subject area19HomeschoolingMost homeschooling families are white, middle or upper-middle class, religious, well-educated1/3 chose because of school environment (safety, peer pressure, drugs); 1/3 to give religious ed.Can parents adequately teach in all subjects?Range of curricula from companies via the InternetDo kids gain social skills?Study reported 71% of homeschooled grads were active in the community vs. 37% of traditionally educated students.20Arguments For and Against Character EducationForImpossible to teach academics if moral conduct is not encouragedValues needed for democratic participation are appropriate for all public-school studentsAgainstPublic schools should focus only on academicsDifficult to define universal valuesCopyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.12 - 2121Violence in the Schools% of students aged 12-18 who reported being victims during past 6 months (Violent crimes includes serious violent crimes)

Source: Dinkes, R., Cataldi, E.F., Kena, G., and Baum, K. (2006). Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2006. NCES 2007-003/NCJ 214262. Washington, DC: U.S. Departments of Education and Justice. Figure 3.1, p. 15.22Creating a Climate of SafetyEmotional climateEstablish a culture of respectDeal quickly with everyday teasing, bullying Create connections between adults & studentsBreak the code of silenceInvolve everyone in school in creation of emergency response policies & practices23Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)Refers to students abilities to manage their emotions, develop caring and concern for others, make responsible decisions, establish positive relationships, and handle challenging situations effectively.

SEL skills are explicitly taught through planned, systematic, and evidence-based classroom instruction.Students RightsSafetyPrivacyFamily Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA): School must protect confidentiality of students educational recordsA.k.a. the Buckley AmendmentStudents & parents can review recordsCan challenge content, insert explanation into fileExercise some control over disclosure For more information about FERPA25Students First Amendment RightsFree expression: Balance between individuals rights & schools need to maintain productive learning environmentSpeech cannot disrupt learningSchool newspapers can be censoredDistrict can impose dress codeFreedom of religion:In general, schools must be neutral

26Teachers RightsSafetyAcademic freedom Freedom of expressionPrivacy: Limited; if private actions affect integrity of school or hamper teachers effectiveness, teacher may be disciplinedThese rights are limited by context: The teachers responsibility to students

27Teachers ResponsibilitiesTake reasonable precautions to keep students safe;Report suspected child abuse/neglect! Watch the TeachSource Video Case, Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Teaching: Reflections from Todays Educators In what ways are the rules of the classroom meant to support students First Amendment rights?28ConclusionTrends often have long lasting impacts on teaching and learning! You will likely encounter:Exceptional learnersAn inclusion classroomProject- and problem-based learning Standards-based accountabilityIssues related to students rights and safetyFamilies choosing alternative schooling (charter schools, homeschooling)Issues surrounding social and emotional learning.29Trend/Issue Group TaskChoose an IssueExceptional learnersAn inclusion classroomProject- and problem-based learning Standards-based accountabilityIssues related to students rights and safetyFamilies choosing alternative schooling (charter schools, homeschooling)Issues surrounding social and emotional learning

Discuss the Issue Developing Pro and Con Talking Points10 minutes to work2 minutes to present

Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.12 - 30