Typically, Second Language Learners enroll in public schools, and participate in the English Language Learners program for language acquisition. Bilingual, or dual language programs for Spanish and English speakers may exist in certain school systems, as well. However, another option for English Language Learners (ELL's)has been made available in certain communities across the U.S. Charter schools designed to reach the needs of these specific populations are on the rise.
While these schools teach the English language, they also reinforce native cultures and values of students from differing cultural groups. There is an emphasis on encouraging these students to continue to value their native language, as well. As the schools tend to be smaller, students receive more attention and individual instruction.
As these types of charter schools are just taking off, there is not alot of research backing their results. There are questions regarding these students' performance in public schools after attending a charter school for some time. Others question the efficiency of language development in these types of schools. Still others wonder if this will lead to even more segregation of our students. While the answers to these questions and more have not been completely answered, some families are turning to charter schools for an alternative way to educate their children.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
BLOG #12 Language
The languages represented in the United States are diverse, and at times controversial. While Standard English is taught and officially used throughout the nation, dialects and cultural influences affect communication. As new immigrants arrive, they bring differing languages to the melting pot, enriching it with their cultures and values.
What form or dialect of English is considered "Standard"? The answer varies from community to community. The informal standard is used frequently in conversation, while the formal standard is usually reserved for writing. However, particular dialects, such as Black English and Appalachian English can be associated with lower working classes, resulting in negative assumptions. Those assumptions regarding the intelligence and moral values of an individual can be a disadvantage in the school and work environments.
Other controversial issues regarding language appear in bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. Even though research points to several years of needed language training for advanced fluency skills, including academic language (CALP), schools are mandated by state requirements to push students to advanced levels of fluency within a three year period. While bilingual education has been available, it is important to consider the other hundreds of languages represented in school districts today. As we consider both the increasing numbers of ELL's enrolling in our school systems and the increasing financial difficulties, we have to arrive at a fair and equal system of instruction. It is vital that our nation's citizens are able to communicate in at least one English language for the continued success of our union.
What form or dialect of English is considered "Standard"? The answer varies from community to community. The informal standard is used frequently in conversation, while the formal standard is usually reserved for writing. However, particular dialects, such as Black English and Appalachian English can be associated with lower working classes, resulting in negative assumptions. Those assumptions regarding the intelligence and moral values of an individual can be a disadvantage in the school and work environments.
Other controversial issues regarding language appear in bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. Even though research points to several years of needed language training for advanced fluency skills, including academic language (CALP), schools are mandated by state requirements to push students to advanced levels of fluency within a three year period. While bilingual education has been available, it is important to consider the other hundreds of languages represented in school districts today. As we consider both the increasing numbers of ELL's enrolling in our school systems and the increasing financial difficulties, we have to arrive at a fair and equal system of instruction. It is vital that our nation's citizens are able to communicate in at least one English language for the continued success of our union.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
BLOG #11 Smart Kids with School Problems
There are factors to consider with a student's developmental level. The student's age, social and emotional maturity, and intellectual development all play important roles in a child's academic success in school. Some schools encourage a "three before first" policy which involves a student attending three years of preschool, including kindergarten, before first grade. A child entering first grade can postpone gratification, sit still and focus, work with symbols, and separate fantasy from reality. Sometimes, time itself can benefit children still developing particular areas at this age. Screening that involves pencil and paper work, visual matching and memory, auditory discrimination, memory and analysis, naming of letters, verbal and nonverbal reasoning, sequencing tasks, story recall, and math counting and pattern tasks can be used for grade placement and recommendations for students needing specific help.
While visual acuity is important for a healthy developing child, the visual system must be developed as well. Recognizing objects, distinguishing sizes and shapes, depth perception, color notations, and spatial awareness are all aspects of the visual system. Visual perception allows people to discriminate visual images, understand part to whole relationships, separate figures and backgrounds, understand spatial relationships, and attach meaning to visual images. A student with a strong visual memory may only need a couple of exposures to words for reading and spelling purposes. Intelligent students with weak visual perception and or memory skills can have difficulties in learning to read and write.
It is important to note that there is no research that confirms visual perceptual training and correlating exercises cure or assist with reading difficulties. The more methods a reader is taught to use, the better the reading ability. The part to whole approach, also known as phonics, teaches students to blend and decode words. While the whole word, or look say approach is the most efficient way to read, many students with poor visual memory can have a difficult time with this method. A whole to part, or structural analysis, approach teaches students to look for affixes and base words. Latin and Greek roots and stems are taught to assist students with these additional patterns of language. An inferential approach uses context clues, pictures, vocabulary, and inferencing as a combined effort in understanding texts.
While visual acuity is important for a healthy developing child, the visual system must be developed as well. Recognizing objects, distinguishing sizes and shapes, depth perception, color notations, and spatial awareness are all aspects of the visual system. Visual perception allows people to discriminate visual images, understand part to whole relationships, separate figures and backgrounds, understand spatial relationships, and attach meaning to visual images. A student with a strong visual memory may only need a couple of exposures to words for reading and spelling purposes. Intelligent students with weak visual perception and or memory skills can have difficulties in learning to read and write.
It is important to note that there is no research that confirms visual perceptual training and correlating exercises cure or assist with reading difficulties. The more methods a reader is taught to use, the better the reading ability. The part to whole approach, also known as phonics, teaches students to blend and decode words. While the whole word, or look say approach is the most efficient way to read, many students with poor visual memory can have a difficult time with this method. A whole to part, or structural analysis, approach teaches students to look for affixes and base words. Latin and Greek roots and stems are taught to assist students with these additional patterns of language. An inferential approach uses context clues, pictures, vocabulary, and inferencing as a combined effort in understanding texts.
Monday, March 8, 2010
BLOG # 10 Exceptionality
While children are children, they are all very unique and special. Students with both giftedness and learning differences require certain accommodations at times. Because of particular litigation measures, it is the law that all students be provided with a free public education.
Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, provided that all people from ages 3 to 21 receive a free and appropriate education, procedural safeguards to protect their rights, an education in the least restrictive environment, individualized education programs, parental involvement in educational decisions, and fair and unbiased evaluations. While Congress mandated these services for children with disabilities, they have not supported school districts with even half of the necessary funding to provide these expensive services. When "appropriate" educations have been tested in court, there have been cases where the courts ruled in favor of the child, and or the school district.
The chapter continued to emphasize the overrepresentation of minorities in special education. African males were said to be especially overrepresented. Some possible variables contibuting to the issue were poverty, lead poisoning, over-referrals, racial bias, and assessment issues.
Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, provided that all people from ages 3 to 21 receive a free and appropriate education, procedural safeguards to protect their rights, an education in the least restrictive environment, individualized education programs, parental involvement in educational decisions, and fair and unbiased evaluations. While Congress mandated these services for children with disabilities, they have not supported school districts with even half of the necessary funding to provide these expensive services. When "appropriate" educations have been tested in court, there have been cases where the courts ruled in favor of the child, and or the school district.
The chapter continued to emphasize the overrepresentation of minorities in special education. African males were said to be especially overrepresented. Some possible variables contibuting to the issue were poverty, lead poisoning, over-referrals, racial bias, and assessment issues.
Monday, March 1, 2010
BLOG # 9 Smart Kids with School Problems
Between 20 and 30 percent of students in our classrooms may have some sort of learning disability. Many times, these students are misunderstood. Perhaps, they are verbally apt problem solvers who are unable to put their creativity into written form. Often, they have trouble listening , following directions, keeping themselves organized, and memorizing schoolwork. They may not perform well on achievement tests. These students may be found at any level of any grade. The author calls them "conundrum kids", because they may be gifted and learning disabled.
While these students are puzzling and difficult to figure out, their futures are optimistic. Keeping their natural talents and self esteem alive and well is crucial to their long term development. Unfulfilled lives can occur when these students are not assisted. The "snowball effect" may occur, leaving them with a less than perfect education and miles of self doubt.
The author, a learning specialist, diagnostician, teacher, trainer, and parent, ranks high in her field. The book contains information on research, strategies, and materials on that can assist teachers in helping their "smart kids with school problems".
While these students are puzzling and difficult to figure out, their futures are optimistic. Keeping their natural talents and self esteem alive and well is crucial to their long term development. Unfulfilled lives can occur when these students are not assisted. The "snowball effect" may occur, leaving them with a less than perfect education and miles of self doubt.
The author, a learning specialist, diagnostician, teacher, trainer, and parent, ranks high in her field. The book contains information on research, strategies, and materials on that can assist teachers in helping their "smart kids with school problems".
BLOG # 8 Gender and Sexual Orientation
This chapter highlighted specific information regarding male/ female comparisons. There was no agreement between researchers concerning the biological impact on the differences between males and females. It concluded that society, and its differing cultures, played large roles in determining the expectations of each gender. Stereotypes of male and female careers, intellectual abilities, personality characteristics, physical appearances, social statuses, and domestic roles were discussed. In fact, the television was blamed for its large impact on stereotyping in general.
As the author further elaborated on gender discrimination, the Women's Movement was included. The most significant advances in that particular movement were seen during the 1960's. That movement developed in correlation with a civil rights movement for African Americans. However, rights for women continue to be contested.
Title IX of the 1972 Education Ammendments deals with discriminatory treatment of students based on gender. This law prevents discrimination in the admission of students, their treatment, and employed personnel. In Pre-K through 12th grade settings, the law requires that all district opportunities be equally available to all students. While athletic programs have been the most controversial, they have been covered by Title IX as well since 1972. As a result, the number of females participating in athletic programs has increased to 41% of high school athletes.
As the author further elaborated on gender discrimination, the Women's Movement was included. The most significant advances in that particular movement were seen during the 1960's. That movement developed in correlation with a civil rights movement for African Americans. However, rights for women continue to be contested.
Title IX of the 1972 Education Ammendments deals with discriminatory treatment of students based on gender. This law prevents discrimination in the admission of students, their treatment, and employed personnel. In Pre-K through 12th grade settings, the law requires that all district opportunities be equally available to all students. While athletic programs have been the most controversial, they have been covered by Title IX as well since 1972. As a result, the number of females participating in athletic programs has increased to 41% of high school athletes.
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