School's all pay a premium for technology support. Not all school's get the same bang for their buck. I was contracted to provide two days of on site software support last week to a district in Ohio. Independent contractors are just that, INDEPENDENT, and have a good deal of freedom when it comes to fulfilling training obligations.
First stop at any school is the Principal's office.
Some Principal's consider technology a necessary evil and view me as an inconvenience. These schools subsequently receive cursory service. I pull the requested data, fix reported issues, and email a brief summary to the administrator. Not surprisingly student technology use is sporadic, teacher attitude poor, and achievement gains are minimal.
Other schools are blessed with a true technology integration hero,
The PRINCIPAL!
This champion of 21st century skills actually reads email and therefore knows I am coming! Last week's PAL greeted me warmly at the door by name, and then personally took me around to visit each teacher who was using the software I was there to support. The teachers and students exuded pride in their buildings technology integration and with good reason, the data reflected an impressive increase in achievement gains over the next closest school in the district.
It is worth noting that a majority of students in this school suffer from low socio-economic status which almost always correlates to low academic achievement. Want to close the achievement gap? The common denominator in HPHN (high performing high need) schools is...you guessed it, an engaged hands-on
PRINCIPAL. Education's unsung hero.
Showing posts with label achievement gap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label achievement gap. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Why Johnny Can't Read
My job affords me the opportunity to unobtrusively observe teachers and students in their natural environment. Often, what I witness makes me proud to be an educator. Unfortunately, today was not one of those uplifting occasions.
A 1st grade teacher had dropped off her students to work in the computer lab on an educational reading software program under the supervision of the school librarian. Many of the students excitedly dove into their work. Others did not. Upon further inspection I discovered several of the apprehensive children had not mastered a single learning objective the entire year! The librarian shared my concern and asked how she could help. We made what modifications the program would allow, but it was clear teacher intervention and remediation would be required.
When the group's instructor returned to claim her students, I listened as the librarian relayed the struggles students were having with basic literacy skills. I was crushed by the teacher's response.
"I don't care what they are doing as long as you keep them away from me for the period. Let them paint their toes for all I care. I don't think kids learn from these things anyhow (pointing toward the computers). When it comes to reading, some of them get it and some don't."
I agree with half of that statement. Some kids do "get it" without us. More than likely they come from a stable family with an above average income level. The ones that don't get it need to be taught. Isn't that what we do as teachers?
If you think this is an isolated case you are either at a very special school or have become numb to this type of outrageous behavior. Teaching is not easy. Then again, nothing worthwhile ever is.
A 1st grade teacher had dropped off her students to work in the computer lab on an educational reading software program under the supervision of the school librarian. Many of the students excitedly dove into their work. Others did not. Upon further inspection I discovered several of the apprehensive children had not mastered a single learning objective the entire year! The librarian shared my concern and asked how she could help. We made what modifications the program would allow, but it was clear teacher intervention and remediation would be required.
When the group's instructor returned to claim her students, I listened as the librarian relayed the struggles students were having with basic literacy skills. I was crushed by the teacher's response.
"I don't care what they are doing as long as you keep them away from me for the period. Let them paint their toes for all I care. I don't think kids learn from these things anyhow (pointing toward the computers). When it comes to reading, some of them get it and some don't."
I agree with half of that statement. Some kids do "get it" without us. More than likely they come from a stable family with an above average income level. The ones that don't get it need to be taught. Isn't that what we do as teachers?
If you think this is an isolated case you are either at a very special school or have become numb to this type of outrageous behavior. Teaching is not easy. Then again, nothing worthwhile ever is.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Losers Win! Part II Revolution
In last weeks' post, I outlined the importance of play, specifically digital gaming, in closing the achievement gap, and therefore helping to break the cycle of poverty. That's the easy part. The real challenge lies in the second half of the educational two-step for change.
The issue is not a failure to understand the problem nor is it finding a cure. The issue is for educators to have the intestinal fortitude to do what we know needs to be done. I believe the reason we have not is because we, as educated citizens, are the beneficiaries of the industrial, sort and rank model of education. In order for real change to take place, the education aristocracy will have to denounce their thrones and hand over power to the peasants. How much easier is it for us to maintain the status quo, live high off the hog, and keep the masses ignorant…After all, the world needs ditch diggers too!
I hope and pray that in my lifetime I will see justice done. I hope in some small way I will contribute to closing the achievement gap. On the count of 3, let’s throw down our educational crowns…ready….1…..2…..
The issue is not a failure to understand the problem nor is it finding a cure. The issue is for educators to have the intestinal fortitude to do what we know needs to be done. I believe the reason we have not is because we, as educated citizens, are the beneficiaries of the industrial, sort and rank model of education. In order for real change to take place, the education aristocracy will have to denounce their thrones and hand over power to the peasants. How much easier is it for us to maintain the status quo, live high off the hog, and keep the masses ignorant…After all, the world needs ditch diggers too!
I hope and pray that in my lifetime I will see justice done. I hope in some small way I will contribute to closing the achievement gap. On the count of 3, let’s throw down our educational crowns…ready….1…..2…..
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