Abstract The role of the federal government in determining policies and practices in the nation's school is traced. The author contends that the federal agency's role is limited, and may involve little more than seeing that applications for funding are properly submitted, compliance or audit issues resolved and money disbursed in timely fashion.
From the Paper "Critics of federal involvement in public schools say that state and local authorities understand better what kind of standards and practices their school districts need. Some also believe that national standards or testing will inevitably lead to a national curriculum, the contents of which may be fiercely opposed by some local school boards. Finally, critics say that increased federal involvement adds another expensive bureaucratic layer to the educational system. In the United States education is supposed to be a responsibility of the sub-national governments. However, the federal government intervenes often to define curricula and standards, to grant research money, to regulate, to allocate scholarships, and so forth. This problem is, of course, not limited to the United States."
Abstract This paper is an interpretation of Paulo Freire's essay, "Banking Concept of Education" and its limitation in society. The author points out that the banking concept of education assumes that the student is ignorant and that the teacher is the only one who has any knowledge so that the entire education process is flawed from the start because of this premise. The author argues that until there is a way to encourage a free flow, or dialogue between educator and student the problems in education will remain, even as new curricula are introduced.
From the Paper "When we study the curriculum across the country, we realize that it is designed to integrate the experience a diverse population within the standard postsecondary curriculum. The courses have been revised and reformed to allow a more universal view of the environment. The curriculum is flexible and unbiased and thus, modern in its conception. Yet, the manner in which we teach it limits the effects of the design. Thus, how we teach is as important as what we teach. For many people, the word "pedagogy" signifies classroom techniques designed to transmit knowledge from teacher (and text) to students. Traditional pedagogics employ what Paulo Freire calls "the 'banking' concept of education," in which "knowledge is a gift bestowed by those who consider themselves knowledgeable upon those whom they consider to know nothing."(4)"
Abstract This paper examines the hardships and difficulties presented to young disabled people when they have to step out into the real world. The writer explains that for any person the move from school to work is a major change and emphasizes the increased challenges facing the disabled. The paper looks at what social and educational tools need to be made available to these people by the authorities and the support needed by their families.
From the Paper "Imagine being thirty-five years old and still completely dependent on your parents. Most students with disabilities have been sheltered from the "real world" their whole lives. Some families tend to want to provide as much as possible for their children with disabilities, for as long as possible. For most children with disabilities, it is not unusual to constantly have someone looking over their shoulders and guiding them through tasks and activities throughout the day. Most work environments do not allow for this type of instruction for the employees with disabilities. No matter how hard it is to ?let go,? it is more beneficial to the child's future to have appropriate training for work skills and social skills. Parents should invest their time and money in making sure their children with disabilities have the knowledge they need to get a job once they have graduated from high school or even college. In order to have a successful future in the workplace, students with disabilities need to have appropriate transition training."
Abstract This paper discusses the methods and observations Freire and Percy use to explain that "true knowledge" is not measured by good academic standing, but rather by how an individual effectively relates what he learns to real life. The author states that just as the students adjust themselves to material facts and reality, instructors, in the same way, must adapt to the constant change that occurs to his/her student's learning.
From the Paper "Walker Percy's thesis is that people will experience learning if they will not allow themselves to be influenced by preconceived notions and ideas about things that they want to discover and explore. He stated that people do not learn in the real sense because they lack the "surprise of discovery", an essential requirement for learning. An example supporting this statement can be found as an example in Percy's essay."
Tags: natural, learning, authentic, curiosity, need, experience, life, techniques, problem, posing, critical, thinking, application, learning, systems
Abstract This paper explores the different experiences that students have while living on college campus. The paper discusses the difference in the college experience if you live at home versus living in the dormitories. It discusses such topics as study habits, social interaction, and absorption into the college system.
From the Paper "A second advantage of living on campus is actually a set of intangibles that enhance the educational impact of college. Dorm life fosters hard work: If a student lives in the dorms with other students, he is far less likely to feel alone or academically abandoned, and as a result, he is less likely to flunk out. College represents a major academic step for most students ? they coasted through high school and now suddenly they are challenged. A student living at home will not have many places to turn for support while burning the midnight oil studying for an exam, whereas a student living in a dorm can always strike up a conversation with his neighbor or roommate if he feels frustrated. That human contact and the awareness that others are working hard and going through the same transition often makes the difference for students."
Abstract This paper is a review of this study which began as an examination of sexism in school text books, but grew to cover the entire school system. Their study aimed to try to observe the "hidden curriculum" in schools, and attempts to fully discuss the gender bias that occurs in all levels of education. The writer recommends this work as a thought-provoking and highly interesting study.
From the Paper "Failing at Fairness: How Our schools Cheat Girls is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the study of sexism in the school system. The authors, Myra M. Sadker and David Sadker present the results of years of research into sexism in American schools. They provide ample anecdotal and statistical evidence to back up their claim that gender bias continues to be a real problem in all levels of our educational system."
Abstract This paper examines the reasons for the poor quality of public education in recent years. It highlights the mounting cost of education on the public and why these costs have been inflated. It continues to discuss what a graduating student can expect from the job market and what job opportunities exist for a high-school graduate. It shows the benefit of receiving a higher education and how job opportunities for college graduates are much better.
From the Paper "Employment remains at the top of the list as one of the reasons to get a higher education. Today, no one can find a worthwhile job without higher education. Competition for even mediocre jobs has became much more fierce, and individuals are settling for jobs and pay that is well beneath their standards. The non-educated people are eliminated completely. An employer will not hire the high school graduate when he can find an employee with a masters degree for the same salary. Right now, more then ever before, it is an employers market.
"Besides employment, other issues to consider are ones social status. No one lives in lower income neighborhoods, or have low status friends by choice. People socialize with people who are familiar to them. Education and social status goes hand in hand."
An analysis of the article "A Passover Way to Teach" by R. Rothstein in which the author argues that the Jewish Haggadah offers an approach to learning that solves current learning problems.
Abstract The paper examines the idea presented in "A Passover Way to Teach" that the Jewish Haggadah presents teaching methods that are more effective than the methods used in a modern education system. The paper discusses the validity of the claim by presenting the flaws and problems in the argument. The paper explains the difficulty of adopting this teaching approach to a modern education system.
From the Paper "The major flaw is that the Haggadah refers to teaching spiritual values in the context of an ancient culture. It is not easy to apply this to modern society and to the modern classroom. Despite the claim that the Haggadah solves the problems of modern education, few real answers are provided. The major point that children should be taught according to their own needs has some benefit if the focus remains on the how of learning, but instead the author focuses on the what of learning."
An analysis of the book "Experience and Education" by John Dewey. The paper argues that that education should be based on the child's psychological and physical development, as well as the world outside the schoolroom.
Abstract The book "Experience and Education" developed and nourished ideas that shaped the basis for many of present day's common education practices, such as the performance-based assessment, cooperative and inquiry-based learning, play-oriented preschools, and hands-on science. This paper gives a brief biography of the author, summarizes the ideas presented in the book and discusses the strengths, weaknesses and drawbacks of these ideas.
From the Paper "Published in 1938, the novel "Experience and Education" is perhaps his most brief, clear response to the problems as being perceived by him in both traditional forms of pedagogy as well as in the fundamental reactions to those conservative forms. According to him in the book, these traditional practices have mostly served to reproduce an existing unjust social order."
Abstract E.D. Hirsch asserts that there are basic cultural concepts and ideas that must be known in order to communicate and thrive in ones community. This paper gives a brief history of the author and analyzes his idea that modern education is a failure since it does not leave students culturally literate. The paper concludes that education should be modified to allow for intergenerational knowledge.
From the Paper "In his book Cultural Literacy, subtitled "What Every American Needs to Know," E.D. Hirsch Jr. begins with the fact that there are certain ideas and certain facts which we all assume that other people know. When we talk to people and make certain cultural references, we expect to be understood (assuming we are speaking to someone also from this same culture, of course). In the course of his book, though, Hirsch shifts from what we expect people know to his subtitle, detailing what he believes every American should know in order to be an American citizen."
This paper discusses psychological theories for methods of changing behavior and then chronicles the author's attempt to change her own behavior by using a process of positive reinforcement and adhering to a Pavlovian model of conditioning.
Abstract The paper states that behavior modification is simply learning. The author discusses and compares Pavlovian and Operant conditioning and Positive and Negative Reinforcement. The paper refers to various reinforcement strategies: Systematic desensitization, aversion therapy (reciprocal inhibition) and biofeedback. The author details her experiment using positive reinforcement (buying a CD) to learn new behaviors in regards to caffeine consumption. She noticed problems of physical addiction.
From the Paper "Pavlovian conditioning is in fact a type of learning. Indeed, it is perhaps the most famously documented type of learning that there is. It is difficult indeed to imagine that there exists a college student anywhere in the Western Hemisphere who has not heard the story of how Ivan Pavlov came up with the idea of teaching his dog to associate the sound of a ringing bell with the introduction of food. (We all know the ending of this story: Pavlov was able to make his dog salivate in anticipation of being fed whenever he heard the meal-time bell ? and even after Pavlov no longer followed up the bell with food the dog continued to salivate for a number of repetitions of the experiment.)
This is the way in which Pavlovian learning always works: An individual (a dog, a human, a chimp ? and even some non-mammalian species) is given a certain stimulus to which it responds consistently."
Abstract This study examines the different aspects of reading problems of high school students. The study also finds the problems and difficulties that students have in reading and comprehension. In addition, government policies and plans are also discussed as how to combat the issue. Current plans are mentioned and their effectiveness examined.
From the Paper "But today, the rising demands of a technological society have changed the definition of adequate literacy. Reading well, fluently and with comprehension is essential in the U.S. for entry to well-paid employment, for active participation, and for access to the accomplishment of civilization. The International Reading Association reports that adolescent literacy has not been an educational policy or priority in schools despite the fact that high school graduates face an increased need for a high-level of literacy, particularly the ability to understand complex texts. Reading achievement, as evidenced by state and national test scores, typically begin to decline after 4th grade. Further a recent Reading Study Group Report (2002) shows there has been substantial research around early literacy, but comparatively little focused on reading comprehension, which is crucial for academic success in the adolescent years. This study examines the different aspects of reading problems of high school students. The study also aims to find the problems and difficulties that student have in reading and comprehension. In addition governments policies and plans are also discussed as how to combat the issue."
Tags: literary, education, comprehension, student, school, policy, government, plan
Examines decline in 20th century of corporal punishment in U.S. Historical overview, legal issues, research studies, implications incl. Problems of violence.
4,950 words (approx. 19.8 pages), 31 sources, 2001, $ 135.95
From the Paper "Introduction
This research examines the decline in the use of corporal punishment in American elementary and secondary schools over the course of the 20th century and the consequences of the fact for the status of American public education, the safety and well-being of teachers, students, and administrators, and the culture as a whole. The plan of the research will be to set forth a historical overview of corporal punishment and recent legislation on the subject, and then to discuss and critically analyze consequences of the shift in thinking and public policy on the matter, with a view toward forecasting possible lines of future rethinking, reform, and development.
The issue of corporal punishment in schools is bound up inextricably with wider-scope issues such as civil society, civil.."
From the Paper "This paper is a discussion of the diverse curriculum appropriate for teaching children during the early childhood years, using Hilda L. Jackman's text, Early Education Curriculum: A Child's Connection to the World, as a guide. Jackman's book is grounded in three basic philosophies: that curriculum be centered around and directed to the child at his or her level of development, that the focus of the classroom should be on process, and that the environment should encourage creativity. She explores a wide range of curricular areas, suggesting specific concepts and activities that are useful in each, for different developmental levels. This paper examines the kinds of approaches she advocates and looks at a variety of related issues that her suggestions raise."
Abstract This paper evaluates the reasons for non-parental child care in today's day and age due to demographic changes in the structure of the family and the need for mother's to work. It examines the results of several surveys on the direct effect of this type of care on child development and outlines the options which are available to families who are concerned for their child's early development, but are also in need of two incomes.
From the Paper "Historical changes in family and economic trends have created the need for non-parental child care through a number of different societal changes. The move of families from the farms to urban settings and increased school attendance for children resulted in a reduced need for the mother to remain at home. Over time more women have been joining the work force, which has lead to an increase of financially independent women as well as less financial interdependence between wives and husbands. Society has also witnessed increased levels of divorce and children born out of wedlock. These changes in social trends have resulted in the majority of children living in one parent families or dual-earner families, which has consequently created an increased number of children requiring non-parental care for a large portion of each working day (Hernandez, 1995.)"
Tags: mother, work, force, child, care, facility, environment, society
