No, These Things Will Not Be on the Final Exam

From comments:

 "Emerge,

I wanted to share this information with you as I found it to be worthwhile. On my walk today, I listened to a podcast of NPR This American Life (474: Back to School 9/14/12). It focuses on "an emerging theory about what to teach kids, from Paul Tough's new book How Children Succeed." Discussed on the podcast - the importance of non-cognitive skills (e.g. tenacity, resilience, impulse control), how they can be taught in the classroom, and how this might help some students succeed.

I am a teacher in Peoria and am continually searching for ways to motivate my students to want to learn and achieve. After listening to this podcast, I will be purchasing Tough's book and researching the topic more. I have never posted on your blog before, but I was so intrigued and inspired by what I heard that I wanted to share this information.

It's worth listening to the podcast!"

 (highlight text above to read it)

Thanks Anonymous for reading, posting and suggesting this book/podcast!

Hearing the stories from the young people really broke my heart, but this podcast IS definitely worth listening to. Paul Tough, the author discusses how “non-cognitive skills” are being viewed as increasingly vital in education. Also discussed are studies that show how poverty-related stress can affect brain development, and inhibit the development of non-cognitive skills.

 Emerge

A plea for racial sensitivity training in District 150

There is just way too much pearl clutching going on in District 150 these days. As I have previously posted, it is my belief that many District 150 teachers have some problems understanding "black culture" and are sorely in need of racial sensitivity training.

It saddens me that in 2010 the word diversity is still relevant in Peoria. However, racial sensitivity training could be instrumental in closing the achievement gap between students of different races.

It is unfortunate that the discrimination lawsuit that the teachers have brought against District 150 did not request racial sensitivity training as part of their settlement. The lawsuit indicates that such training is needed. When Benassi handled the Mitsubishi lawsuit, on going racial sensitivity training was a part of the settlement. I am curuious as to why training was not requested in this instance?

Many teachers come from communities where there is very little diversity or interaction with people of different backgrounds. I have seen some student teachers who appear to be left speechless, as if they have never spoken with a black parent before. Their only conversation is for you to question them, at which time, you find out they are from some little town called Avon or whatever.

The Board of Education can and should be proactive in this matter. They don't have to wait until racial sensitivity training is demanded in a lawsuit - they could and should institute such training within District 150 NOW. We all know we need it.

Critical Issue - Educating Teachers for Diversity

As the student population in American schools becomes increasingly diverse, educators must respond with school reform efforts that meet the needs of all students. They must develop culturally sensitive curricula that integrate multicultural viewpoints and histories, apply instructional strategies that encourage all students to achieve, and review school and district policies related to educational equity. Teacher education programs in particular are responsible for preparing future teachers to promote meaningful, engaged learning for all students, regardless of their race, gender, ethnic heritage, or cultural background.

Read the entire article here.

Identity conflicts and the education gap

In Peoria, whatever the extracurricular, whatever the educational venture, you will more often than not see an "only"...

Throughout my life I have often had the distinction of the being “the only” (the only black girl/woman in attendance). As a girl in ballet, gymnastics, archery; certain courses as I matriculated in college; as an adult on the job – every job; as a happily married, stay at home mom and volunteer. And the only life continues as my children excel educationally and I take them to music, swimming, chess club, tennis, gymnastics, ballet or volleyball.

I think that if the child can manage to be aware of the multifaceted life in which they live, they can thrive off of the diversity (or lack thereof). But for the child without a strong sense of family and identity, being the only can be a very isolating experience.

Facing Identity Conflicts, Black Students Fall Behind
By Nancy Solomon, NPR

The identity issues facing middle-class black and Latino teenagers might be a clue as to why they don't do as well academically as their white and Asian counterparts, some researchers and educators say. The teens often live in dual worlds: the suburban one they live in, and the rougher street life they see glorified in the media.

Known as the "minority achievement gap," the lower average test scores, grades and college attendance by black and Latino students have long perplexed researchers. Many have focused on the values and attitudes of students and whether black students think doing well in school is "acting white."

Read the entire article here.