How Katrina effected our Education

Hurricane Katrina is well known for one of world's natural disasters that effected million's. I did not realize how Katrina affected student's, however it did effected thousands. What is the plan for these students to continue their education? After, reading Educating the Children of Katrina I had a better understanding of the plan to assist these children. I felt giving the funds to the school of the child's choice was a relevant plan. However, it did cause problems with schools competing each other to get these students in their schools. The parents wanted their children to go to schools that were private and would receive more of an education. However, it would be hard for the child to compete with the educational skills if they had never been exposed to it. Did the plan really benefit the children's education or just benefit the schools?

We have discuss what has happen to our students, however what about the teachers that lost their jobs. Would it be easier for them to find a school to teach at? "The wide-ranging measure would allow displaced teachers who had already achieved "highly qualified" status in their states to get the same designation, for one year, in the states to which they moved following the storms" (Davis). I do believe that teachers were able to find jobs quickly.

It was devastating when Hurricane Katrina hit, however our students were able to find a school and continuing their education.

Davis, M. Katrina Bill Would Ease School Rules. Retrieved From http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Goodman, C. J. (October, 2005). Educating Children of Katrina. Retrieved From http://www.ncpa.org

Diversity in Education

As a child, I grew up in a small town and everyone knew each other. The schools that I attended were small and did not have much diversity. Even, the people that live there are all white. When I went off to college, I had to adjust to the diversity. In undergraduate school, I learned a variety of things about diversity. I believe it has helped me in my career. Now this is not the case for everyone? There are people that never leave the small towns and learn about other cultures. It is hard for them to interact with others from another racial background.

Waxler's article made valid points about multiculturalism in schools. I agree that we should stop celebrating months of diversity. Should we not celebrate them all and not make people feel secluded? Waxler does believe we should "move away from the traditional curriculum to a theme based curriculum as many suggest. Different cultures and perspectives can and should be incorporated throughout the various units within the traditional curriculum" (Waxler). This is a plan that would help our students. As teachers we should be teaching about diversity the first day they walk in to our school. Learning about diversity is going to help these students succeed in their career path.

The article called "Toward a Centrist Curriculum: Two Kinds of Multiculturalism in Elementary School had interesting points about diversity. Hirsch believes "that cosmopolitan is the only valid multiculturalism for the modern era. Centrist core curriculum can enable all children to be well educated" (Hirsch, 1992). Would students not be well educated if the curriculum was focused on diversity? I believe if the students are well educated about other racial backgrounds they will be more knowledgeable. Employers will want to hire someone that has a diverse background.

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/articles/index.pl?noframes;page=3;read=1621

http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/pndivers.html

Hirsch, E. D (1992). Toward a Centrist Curriculum: Two kinds of Multiculturalism in Elementary school. Core Knowledge Foundation, Charlottesville, VA.

Multiculturalism in Education

After reading, The Challenge of Multiculturalism, Pitthissippi Burning, and Why Multiculturalism is Wrong I found all the information interesting. I felt upset after reading Pitthissippi because I am not sure who would right a book that is so disturbing. I can not believe people would actually want to read that. I feel that I have a better view of multiculturalism.

Challenge of Multiculturalism:

I had to read this article a couple of times because I was not sure how I felt about it. I understand them wanting to change the history books because it does not include other races point of view. I never felt anything wrong with our history books. Lately, I have realized the books have left out the minorities history. I feel that students should know about all races and not just about whites. I believe it would help students be educated in all history.

Pitthissippi Burning:

This article was disturbing. Why would someone write a book on how-to assassination, bomb building, and torture? Is this why are crime rate is up? I do not have any children, however I would be upset that there are books on the Internet on violence. It is hard to make sure our children are safe anymore. Why are people so full of hate? I do not understand. I am a white American female and I do not have any problems with other races. I believe it goes back to teaching students about having good character. A person with good character would not write a book on how-to bomb, assassination, and torture.

Why Multiculturalism is Wrong: I believe that teachers should teach on Multiculturalism everyday. Students need to know about other races and their heritage. I believe it would help minority students feel included because students could understand about other students in the classrooms. Teachers have a hard job trying to keep everything balance and keeping it fair. Students should learn to value other races because it would them understand the world. When a student graduates and starts working they need to know how to interact with someone from a different race. I believe this will help students be more educated.

Here are some links about Multiculturalism Education

Banks and Banks.,Multiculturalism Education,June 20, 2010, from, http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/educatrs/presrvce/pe3lk1.htm

National Association for Multiculturalism, June 20, 2010, from, http://nameorg.org/

Religion in Schools/Library of Congress

After reading the article "Religion in Schools: Debate Heats Up", I do not agree with Judge Gettleman saying it is unconstitutional. A person can use a moment of silence in many different ways. If a student wants to pray during the moment of silence then they should be able to. I do not understand what the issue is in having a moment of silence. What is the harm in it? A moment of silence does not mean that the student is even praying. People may want to use the moment of silence to think about what they have plan for the day. Attorney General Mark Earley stated "A moment of silence will contribute to maintaining order and discipline in our classrooms and allow students time to thoughtfully prepare themselves for the upcoming educational activities of the day"(NA, 2010). My beliefs on this subject is it should be up to the individual what that want to use the moment of silence for.

On the issue for students exploring "the strengths and weakness" of the scientific methods, I do not see any issues with the students debating on the theory. I do feel like students are afraid of forming their on ideas on evolution. This is not a topic that I am fully aware of the issues, however I do believe the student should be able to form their ideas about the theory.

The Gobitas children knew what their religious beliefs and stood up for them. I do not agree with suspending the Gobitas children because they have to right to freedom of religion. Freedom of Religion is part of the First Amendment and a person has the right to free exercise their religion. I do not have any problem saluting the flag, however for some individuals it may be against their religion beliefs. So why are people being punished for exercising their religion?

Illinois First Amendment Center. Freedom of Religion. June 17, 2010, Retrieved from, http://www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com/religion.php

Religious & Tolerance. A "Moment of Silence" in Place of Prayer in U.S Public Schools. June 17, 2010, Retrieved from, http://www.religioustolerance.org/ps_pra6.htm

Innovators and Makers

Innovator's lead to fix our educations system. In my opinion, Horace Mann succeeded in making changes to the education system. Horace grew up on a farm and education was not important at that time. He only had to attend a few weeks of class during the winter. He knew that the teachers were not educated and knew little how to teach class. Horace fought for students to attend school longer, funding and teacher's salaries. He went out and campaign for better public schools and continued to make the program a success. The Normal School for Teachers was established only through the works of Mann. I believe Horace Mann knew what it would take to improve our schools and we owe him the success for everything that he has achieved for education. Should we not give the credit for our schools today to Mann? I believe we should because the schools desire changes and he was the person that really took a leap out to make a change that was needed.

I chose Henry Ford as the "Maker". Ford had grown up on a farm were he started to have interest in mechanical items. He seemed to be an educated young driven man. I think we can all say that Ford was a smart business man and smart. The research that I discovered on Ford was he did not really improve our education system. We all know what he has done for us in the world of automotive, however he is a business man. I believe innovator's try to find ways to improve our education system and school. The "Makers are great business people, however their focus is not how to improve public schools. Makers focus on, How can we make more money? Would you say they are selfish not wanted to improve the schools? I believe it would be selfish because they do not have the desire to improve schools. For the "Makers" it is about profit and what is the bottom line.

NA. Henry Ford. Retrieved from:http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/hf/

NA. Horace Mann. Retrieved from:http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agexed/aee501/mann.html

Angela Talley

Hello! I am Angela Talley. I am currently in between jobs. I work at Daymar Institute as an Admissions Rep, however I just took a position at Cumberland University. I am currently working on my masters. This is my second online class I have taken. I have never blogged, however I am excited to learn something new!