The first part of this chapter gave samples of state tests that 10th grade students had to take Massachusetts. Wagner goes on to say how some of the parts in the tests can be completely interpreted wrong, for example the poem that was on the test could have been taken in two different ways. Also many of the math problems would require more time then they were given so many students did not pass this portion of the test.
Reading these sample tests just makes me think back on when we had to take the standardized tests in high school and how much I dreaded taking them. As Tony says in the book these kinds of tests do not determine whether someone is ready for college or the "real world," they don't accurately measure what they are said to be measuring.
Wagner also brought up a good point about advanced math being required for college even though many majors don't require you to take advanced math. Most people take statistics, probability, and basic computational skills. They say that advanced math will better prepare you for college but there is no proof of this. Wagner suggests just taking any academically challenging course in hich school will show an assocaition with success in college. Which I think is true because the only way for our minds to grow is if we challenge our mind.
When the organization of the PISA tests were giving a short briefing, a man for the organization was asked about the importance of moving away from multiple choice tests and turn towards more relevant authentic assessments. He told them that the U.S students tend to be good in multiple-choice tasks, whne four choices are clearly laid out and that we have a much harder time with open-ended questions. Which is the truth, but this just shows that the students do not have the ability to apply what they have learned so this just proves that those tests don't not properly show that knowledge that students gain.
AP courses were also mentioned in this chapter. Wagner interviewed some students who have taken AP courses and many of them said they think they were helpful, but again alot of the material that they learned was more focused on memorizing terms than analysing and interpretting material. I think these courses are good to have because I think they can be more challenging for the students who need the challenge, but I think they need to be reconstructed in a way that they mimic what most of the college level courses require you to do like research, critically think and apply this to situations.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Global Achievement Gap: Chapter 2
*In the second chapter of The Global Achievement Gap Wagner visits some of the top public schools in America to see what and how the students are learning. What they saw was a teaching style that mainly taught students how to take standardized test and not the 7 most important survival skills
*The first thing that Wagner mentioned and that shocked him about the first school he visited was in a placement chemistry course. Students were in groups and they were supposed to follow directions to make a mixture and one of the groups mixtures started to smoke. Instead of thinking critically about what may happen they instead watied for the teacher to tell them what happend. When Wagner asked what their hypothesis was and they couldn't even give him an answere. This was just the beginning of the discouraging things that were seen throughout the chapter.
*In one of the schools that he visited Wagner and the superintendent visited the classrooms unannounced and normally the superintendent would tell the teachers when she was coming in. She said the teaching style that day was completely different than what she sees when she lets the teachers know she is coming. The teachers seemed less prepared to teach and encourage students to learn.
*The one classroom Wagner actually saw a great teaching style was in an Algebra II classroom. The teacher put a problem up on the board and had the students in groups of four. He told them that they have never done a problem like this but the needed to use the skills they have already learned in previous lessons to help them figure it out. He also told them that he would randomly pick one student from each group to come up to the board and explain two different ways to do the problem. This teacher was really making his students think critically and also they were using teamwork to put their minds together and figure out how to go about doing the problem. By telling them he would randomly pick a student this encouraged all the students to be engaged in the process since they didn't know who would be going up to the board. I think this type of teaching style shows so many of those survival skills that were said at the beginning of the book and this is the type of teaching we all need to bring into our classrooms.
*Although the algebra teacher did a great job teaching his students, the other classes mentioned did not. Most of the classes consisted of memorization and preperation for tests. This just encourages kids to memorize things instead of actually learning the material. Wagner never blames the teachers he just stress how important it is that we change the way our students are learning. The NCLB act is actually putting our students further behind and we need to think of a better way for students to learn.
*The first thing that Wagner mentioned and that shocked him about the first school he visited was in a placement chemistry course. Students were in groups and they were supposed to follow directions to make a mixture and one of the groups mixtures started to smoke. Instead of thinking critically about what may happen they instead watied for the teacher to tell them what happend. When Wagner asked what their hypothesis was and they couldn't even give him an answere. This was just the beginning of the discouraging things that were seen throughout the chapter.
*In one of the schools that he visited Wagner and the superintendent visited the classrooms unannounced and normally the superintendent would tell the teachers when she was coming in. She said the teaching style that day was completely different than what she sees when she lets the teachers know she is coming. The teachers seemed less prepared to teach and encourage students to learn.
*The one classroom Wagner actually saw a great teaching style was in an Algebra II classroom. The teacher put a problem up on the board and had the students in groups of four. He told them that they have never done a problem like this but the needed to use the skills they have already learned in previous lessons to help them figure it out. He also told them that he would randomly pick one student from each group to come up to the board and explain two different ways to do the problem. This teacher was really making his students think critically and also they were using teamwork to put their minds together and figure out how to go about doing the problem. By telling them he would randomly pick a student this encouraged all the students to be engaged in the process since they didn't know who would be going up to the board. I think this type of teaching style shows so many of those survival skills that were said at the beginning of the book and this is the type of teaching we all need to bring into our classrooms.
*Although the algebra teacher did a great job teaching his students, the other classes mentioned did not. Most of the classes consisted of memorization and preperation for tests. This just encourages kids to memorize things instead of actually learning the material. Wagner never blames the teachers he just stress how important it is that we change the way our students are learning. The NCLB act is actually putting our students further behind and we need to think of a better way for students to learn.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Global Current Event: More Germans Are Opting to Study Abroad
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/world/europe/24iht-educSide24.html?_r=1&ref=internationaleducation
More and more students in German are choosing to study abroad. The number of students studying abroad nearly doubled from 2000 to 2008. This more than likely has to do with the fact the Germany government is now pumping in additional money to higher education. France is shown to be the most popular place to visit and Spain and Britian follow right behind. The German Academic Exchange Service represents 365 higher education institutions, which gives students the oppurtinity to studay abroad my offering loans and scholarships.
I think it's great that Germany is encouraging students to study abroad and giving them a chance to do that by offering scholarships and loans. I'm sure studying abroad would be a great experience for teachers in particular because they could bring their experiences into the classrooms. I think America should look at putting some funds into study abroad programs and maybe more students would take advantages of these great opportunites, but with all these budget cuts that the educational system is looking at it doesn't seem like something that will happen anytime soon. It would be great to give everyone the chance to study abroad.
More and more students in German are choosing to study abroad. The number of students studying abroad nearly doubled from 2000 to 2008. This more than likely has to do with the fact the Germany government is now pumping in additional money to higher education. France is shown to be the most popular place to visit and Spain and Britian follow right behind. The German Academic Exchange Service represents 365 higher education institutions, which gives students the oppurtinity to studay abroad my offering loans and scholarships.
I think it's great that Germany is encouraging students to study abroad and giving them a chance to do that by offering scholarships and loans. I'm sure studying abroad would be a great experience for teachers in particular because they could bring their experiences into the classrooms. I think America should look at putting some funds into study abroad programs and maybe more students would take advantages of these great opportunites, but with all these budget cuts that the educational system is looking at it doesn't seem like something that will happen anytime soon. It would be great to give everyone the chance to study abroad.
Local Current Event: Springfield High needs your vote to win $100K
http://www.kare11.com/news/schools/education/article/905943/213/Springfield-High-needs-your-vote-to-win-100K
Springfield High School, a small school in southwestern Minnesota entered in a national contest called samsung's "Solve for Tomorrow," the student's produced a video on who scienece technology can help the enviroment. In the video the students highlighted things that the school has done to conserve energy. They are already guaranteed $50,000 for making it into the top five and they are currently at number one with tomorrow being the last day to vote. The winner of this contest will revieve $100,000 in technology and grants.
This article caught my eye because Springfield is just actually 30 min away from my hometown and this is actually where my boyfriend went to high school so I'm very familar with the school. I think it's great that a small school like this could win up to $100,000 dollars. It would be great for all schools to get new technology and grants. I think it's also great that they are teaching the students ways to conserve and teaching them good habits for the future. I really hope they do win and I will definitley give them my vote!
Springfield High School, a small school in southwestern Minnesota entered in a national contest called samsung's "Solve for Tomorrow," the student's produced a video on who scienece technology can help the enviroment. In the video the students highlighted things that the school has done to conserve energy. They are already guaranteed $50,000 for making it into the top five and they are currently at number one with tomorrow being the last day to vote. The winner of this contest will revieve $100,000 in technology and grants.
This article caught my eye because Springfield is just actually 30 min away from my hometown and this is actually where my boyfriend went to high school so I'm very familar with the school. I think it's great that a small school like this could win up to $100,000 dollars. It would be great for all schools to get new technology and grants. I think it's also great that they are teaching the students ways to conserve and teaching them good habits for the future. I really hope they do win and I will definitley give them my vote!
Global Current Event: Chinese students suffer as university entrance exams get a grip
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jun/28/chinese-university-entrance-exams
Millions of Chinese teens are taking the very challenging exams that are required to get into Universities their. The exams are the only aspect that the universities consider. The test cover everthing that they have learned in school since kindergarten. These exams last two days and are so stressful that the month leading to the test is called the "black month," during this month suicedes increase. Nearly 10 million students battle for about 6.6 million university placements. It is estimated that around 40% of the students will fail these tests and not be allowed into the top universities. The upside to the exams are that people who do not have much many can still have the oppurtinity to go to expensive schools if they do well on the exams.
These entrance exams seem to be a bit much. I thought the ACT was horrible I could not imagine taking these exams. I have never been a fan in these tests because I don't think it accurately shows your intelligence level. I think there is a lot more to someones intelligence besides these basic test. These tests don't seem to measure critically thinking skills they just encourage us to memorize and not actually learn the material. The thought that these test in China are so hard that people our committing suicide is really scary and I think something needs to be done about this. Like it said in the article its great for students who can't afford expensive schools because it allows them to get a good education, but I also think everyone deserves that chance to further their education.
Millions of Chinese teens are taking the very challenging exams that are required to get into Universities their. The exams are the only aspect that the universities consider. The test cover everthing that they have learned in school since kindergarten. These exams last two days and are so stressful that the month leading to the test is called the "black month," during this month suicedes increase. Nearly 10 million students battle for about 6.6 million university placements. It is estimated that around 40% of the students will fail these tests and not be allowed into the top universities. The upside to the exams are that people who do not have much many can still have the oppurtinity to go to expensive schools if they do well on the exams.
These entrance exams seem to be a bit much. I thought the ACT was horrible I could not imagine taking these exams. I have never been a fan in these tests because I don't think it accurately shows your intelligence level. I think there is a lot more to someones intelligence besides these basic test. These tests don't seem to measure critically thinking skills they just encourage us to memorize and not actually learn the material. The thought that these test in China are so hard that people our committing suicide is really scary and I think something needs to be done about this. Like it said in the article its great for students who can't afford expensive schools because it allows them to get a good education, but I also think everyone deserves that chance to further their education.
Local Current Event: Senate Approves Pay Freeze for Minnesota Schools
http://www.kare11.com/news/schools/education/article/906604/213/Senate-approves-pay-freeze-for-Minnesota-schools
The Minnesota senate approved a two year pay freeze for teachers and other public employees, this also probides anyone from going on strike. One of the sponsors says they are actually trying to save teachers positions by keeping the pay rate flat. They mentioned the idea of capping superintendents pay by $130,000 a year, but they ruled that as irrelevant to the topic since it's based on just teachers salary.
I think this is scary to think that they are now freezing teachers pay because we are out of money in our education system. It just makes you wonder what they are going to do next, I think the teachers earned there pay increase and should continue to get an increase if they are doing their job. It's unfortunite that teachers already get paid so little and now they want to make it even less. Something reallly needs to be done about our education system and how this money and budget is being looked at. The mentioned in the article that the purpose of this was to save teaching positions, but it seems like more than just having a wage freeze needs to be done. It really makes you wonder what our future is going to be like as teachers and where we are going to go from here.
The Minnesota senate approved a two year pay freeze for teachers and other public employees, this also probides anyone from going on strike. One of the sponsors says they are actually trying to save teachers positions by keeping the pay rate flat. They mentioned the idea of capping superintendents pay by $130,000 a year, but they ruled that as irrelevant to the topic since it's based on just teachers salary.
I think this is scary to think that they are now freezing teachers pay because we are out of money in our education system. It just makes you wonder what they are going to do next, I think the teachers earned there pay increase and should continue to get an increase if they are doing their job. It's unfortunite that teachers already get paid so little and now they want to make it even less. Something reallly needs to be done about our education system and how this money and budget is being looked at. The mentioned in the article that the purpose of this was to save teaching positions, but it seems like more than just having a wage freeze needs to be done. It really makes you wonder what our future is going to be like as teachers and where we are going to go from here.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Global Current Event: France wants to 'reinvent' English language teaching
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/feb/08/tefl-france
Chatel, Frances minister, says that children could start learning enlish in France nursery schools as young as the age of three. Chatel and a team of specialist were examining options to boost students skills in english and other foreign languages. He also wants to develop online language learning and encourge students to go on trips to english-speaking countries. The problem that comes about with all of this is that high-qaulity language teachers have been questioned on whether they can be provide. Because of the education budget schools may loose up to 1,000 specialist language assistants by next year.
I think that this is a good idea to get students to start using a second language at a young age. Three seems really young but I think it would be good for young children to be introduced to different languages because I have heard that it's easier to learn when you are younger. I'm not sure how this new program is going to work if they plan to cut language specialist teachers because it is so important to have someone teaching the language that knows it very well. It's great that Chatel is encouraging students to visit different countries that speak english, this could help make the students more multicultural and open minded. I think the United States should consider something like this since we don't have that many students who are bilingual and I think the majoritiy of the students in the US are lacking a global perspective.
Chatel, Frances minister, says that children could start learning enlish in France nursery schools as young as the age of three. Chatel and a team of specialist were examining options to boost students skills in english and other foreign languages. He also wants to develop online language learning and encourge students to go on trips to english-speaking countries. The problem that comes about with all of this is that high-qaulity language teachers have been questioned on whether they can be provide. Because of the education budget schools may loose up to 1,000 specialist language assistants by next year.
I think that this is a good idea to get students to start using a second language at a young age. Three seems really young but I think it would be good for young children to be introduced to different languages because I have heard that it's easier to learn when you are younger. I'm not sure how this new program is going to work if they plan to cut language specialist teachers because it is so important to have someone teaching the language that knows it very well. It's great that Chatel is encouraging students to visit different countries that speak english, this could help make the students more multicultural and open minded. I think the United States should consider something like this since we don't have that many students who are bilingual and I think the majoritiy of the students in the US are lacking a global perspective.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Local Current Event: Anoka students suing district
http://www.twincities.com/ci_17232358?nclick_check=1
Two lesbian students are suing the Anoka-Hennepin school district for discriminating against their sexual orientation. They were elected for Snow Days and they were told that they would not be able to walk up together in a school Snow Days pep fest. School administration say they did this to protect the two girls from getting bullied and they wanted everyone to feel comfortable so they thought if they let them walk up together some people would feel uncomfortable. This is not the first time Anoka-Hennipin school district has discriminated against LGBT students. Their were several suicide of these students and also discrimination against cross-dressing.
I think it's a very courageous decision these two girls made, to try to sue the Anoka-Hennipin school district. I believe the school made the wrong decision by saying they couldn't walk up together because they are clearly not letting these students express their sexual orientation and they are discriminating against these students. Also, the school used the excuse by saying they were trying to protect the girls so they wouldn't get made fun of, but obviously they don't have a problem with their sexual orientation if they are open about it. The only ones that really seem to have a problem with them being openly gay are the administration at Anoka who are saying they won't allow them express their sexuality.
Bullied
Today I watched the movie Bullied,
As a future teacher this movie touched me in more than one way. It made me realize the hurt and pain one can go through. It also made me realize how important teachers can be when it comes to issues such as bullying. In the movie the teachers could have made a difference and helped Jamie out, but they chose not to. He was reaching out to them and calling for help and the refused to acknowledge that. I am going to take this movie as a learning lesson. It helped me to see the hurt these kids go through in a different light. This movie encourges me to do all that I can to help stop bullying when I do become a teacher. This movie really had an impact on me and I hope all future teachers get a chance to watch this, and hopefully they use this movie as motivation to help stop bullying in their schools and also to reach out to students who are calling for your help. No one deserves to go through what Jamie had to go through everday, unfortunetly many students are still going through this today.
As a future teacher this movie touched me in more than one way. It made me realize the hurt and pain one can go through. It also made me realize how important teachers can be when it comes to issues such as bullying. In the movie the teachers could have made a difference and helped Jamie out, but they chose not to. He was reaching out to them and calling for help and the refused to acknowledge that. I am going to take this movie as a learning lesson. It helped me to see the hurt these kids go through in a different light. This movie encourges me to do all that I can to help stop bullying when I do become a teacher. This movie really had an impact on me and I hope all future teachers get a chance to watch this, and hopefully they use this movie as motivation to help stop bullying in their schools and also to reach out to students who are calling for your help. No one deserves to go through what Jamie had to go through everday, unfortunetly many students are still going through this today.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Global Current Event: Educational Gaps Limit Brazil’s Reach
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/world/americas/05brazil.html?_r=1&ref=brazil
Over the past decade Brazil's students have scored among the lowest of any country on basic skills exams. This could have to do with their president, Mr. Da Silva, who only went to school until the fourth grade. He got a slow start by not strating the government education program until four years after he was in office. Although Silva got a slow start he has high hopes to help make the students educational experience better since he didn't have the chance to have that as a child. Improvements are being made, a program was created to give out 700,000 scholarships to low-income families so their children can attend private colleges. There has also been a new test created to evaluate student's performances.
I think this is unfortunate that Brazil's president didn't realize their struggling education system as soon as he took office. They were already so far behind and his efforts to get there education programs caught up is very difficult since they did fall so far behind everyone else. The also noted in the article that their growing economy is lacking the education so it's hard to fulfill the jobs since the studen'ts don't have proper education to work in some of the positions. They seem to have dug themselves into a big whole that's going to be very hard to get out of, but it's good to hear that things are being done to try and improve the education. You have to start somewhere and small improvements are being seen.
Over the past decade Brazil's students have scored among the lowest of any country on basic skills exams. This could have to do with their president, Mr. Da Silva, who only went to school until the fourth grade. He got a slow start by not strating the government education program until four years after he was in office. Although Silva got a slow start he has high hopes to help make the students educational experience better since he didn't have the chance to have that as a child. Improvements are being made, a program was created to give out 700,000 scholarships to low-income families so their children can attend private colleges. There has also been a new test created to evaluate student's performances.
I think this is unfortunate that Brazil's president didn't realize their struggling education system as soon as he took office. They were already so far behind and his efforts to get there education programs caught up is very difficult since they did fall so far behind everyone else. The also noted in the article that their growing economy is lacking the education so it's hard to fulfill the jobs since the studen'ts don't have proper education to work in some of the positions. They seem to have dug themselves into a big whole that's going to be very hard to get out of, but it's good to hear that things are being done to try and improve the education. You have to start somewhere and small improvements are being seen.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Local Current Event: Lancaster High School Changes Mentoring Program
http://www.fox43.com/news/wpmt-mccaskey-homeroom-changes,0,7163280.story
Lancaster High School in Pennsylvania is now changing their mentoring program they have in their school because of controversial issues. The school broke down there homeroom classes into 19 classes. In three of these 19 classes the students were all African American. They say the program was developed to improve test scores and give students an oppurtinitie to learn from their mentors. The staff say that the subgroups were strictly based on student- teacher relationship and not race. Because of all the controversy teachers are going to open up the homeroom mentoring program to everyone and not based on gender or race.
In regards to this article I can see why it could be a very controversal subject. I think they should have thought about what other people would think before seperating these kids into racial groups even if it had nothing to do with their skin color it's still not promoting multiculturalism and acceptance. This is what our schools need so much more even with the changing culture and races that are coming to schools throughout the United States. I think it's important to mix students up so they don't feel like anyone is being segregated against. I think it's good that they took into account how other people felt about this and they are actually doing something about it and trying to make it better for everyone as a whole.
Lancaster High School in Pennsylvania is now changing their mentoring program they have in their school because of controversial issues. The school broke down there homeroom classes into 19 classes. In three of these 19 classes the students were all African American. They say the program was developed to improve test scores and give students an oppurtinitie to learn from their mentors. The staff say that the subgroups were strictly based on student- teacher relationship and not race. Because of all the controversy teachers are going to open up the homeroom mentoring program to everyone and not based on gender or race.
In regards to this article I can see why it could be a very controversal subject. I think they should have thought about what other people would think before seperating these kids into racial groups even if it had nothing to do with their skin color it's still not promoting multiculturalism and acceptance. This is what our schools need so much more even with the changing culture and races that are coming to schools throughout the United States. I think it's important to mix students up so they don't feel like anyone is being segregated against. I think it's good that they took into account how other people felt about this and they are actually doing something about it and trying to make it better for everyone as a whole.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Global Achievement Gap: Chapter 1
I just started reading The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner and I already found the first chapter to be very informative and I think it will be a great book to read for us future teachers. He brings to our attention that our education is increasing falling behind and not keeping up to other education systems around the world. Our schools are more worried about if our teachers are doing a good job than if our students minds are growing. Because our education system wants to make sure teachers are teaching certain things they implemented more testing, therefore students are being taught how to take test inside aspects such as critical thinking and problem solving.
Wagner covered seven survival skills that all people should have. The seven he mentioned were critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration across networks and leading by influence, initiative and enterpreneurialism, accessing and analyzing information, effective oral and written communication, curiosity and Imagination, and Agility and Adaptability. I think these are also very important skills especially for teachers to have so they can be successful and also so they can pass these skills on to their students.
The final thing that Wagner mention was the importance for our students to have a global prespective. So many people in the United States are not aware of what's going on around the world, especially our students. This is because there is not enough emphasis on other countires in our education system. In other countries students are bilingual and we have very view children who can speak more than one language. I think it's very important, with our growing economy and diveristy, to be able to speak different languages or at least be educated about diversity and people around the world.
Wagner covered seven survival skills that all people should have. The seven he mentioned were critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration across networks and leading by influence, initiative and enterpreneurialism, accessing and analyzing information, effective oral and written communication, curiosity and Imagination, and Agility and Adaptability. I think these are also very important skills especially for teachers to have so they can be successful and also so they can pass these skills on to their students.
The final thing that Wagner mention was the importance for our students to have a global prespective. So many people in the United States are not aware of what's going on around the world, especially our students. This is because there is not enough emphasis on other countires in our education system. In other countries students are bilingual and we have very view children who can speak more than one language. I think it's very important, with our growing economy and diveristy, to be able to speak different languages or at least be educated about diversity and people around the world.
SPED200 Class Feb1st & 3rd
This week in class we discussed the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exam. It's an exam all futre teachers have to take and it consists of Reading, writting, and math. We also looked at a website called Teach for America. Which is about giving students and equal opportunities for education. The minorities are the ones who are recieving the worst education. It's important for everyone to get a good education. This website encourges teachers to teach in areas with poverty and where students need the most help. Teach for America is putting an effort to improve the quality of public education. The also watched a clip about the global achievement gap which gave a list of seven survival skills.
1.) Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
2.) Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by influence
3.)Initiative and Enterpreneurialism
4.) Accessing and Analyzing Information
5.) Effective Oral and Written Communication
6.) Curiosity and Imagination
7.) Agility and Adaptability
1.) Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
2.) Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by influence
3.)Initiative and Enterpreneurialism
4.) Accessing and Analyzing Information
5.) Effective Oral and Written Communication
6.) Curiosity and Imagination
7.) Agility and Adaptability
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Global Current Event: Italian students demonstrate against education reforms
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12058434
Students in Rome are protesting against the new reform. The reform will cut the number of university courses, merge smaller universities and reduce funding for grants. Italy already spends less than 5% of its gross domestic product on education, which is lower than most developed countries. Students and teachers are naturally upset about these reforms. It is estimated that about 130,000 jobs in the education department will be lost. Although this bill hasn't yet been passed it looks like there is a good chance that it will be signed.
I can understand why the students and teachers would be upset. The teachers are going to lose their jobs and students won't have as many opportunities for education and choices of classes as they used to. I think it's unfortunate that their government picked the education department to make cuts in. I think this is one of the most important systems to have, especially for the youth. In order to get a good job you need to get a good education and some of these student's feel like they are being deprived of a privilege they deserve to have.
Students in Rome are protesting against the new reform. The reform will cut the number of university courses, merge smaller universities and reduce funding for grants. Italy already spends less than 5% of its gross domestic product on education, which is lower than most developed countries. Students and teachers are naturally upset about these reforms. It is estimated that about 130,000 jobs in the education department will be lost. Although this bill hasn't yet been passed it looks like there is a good chance that it will be signed.
I can understand why the students and teachers would be upset. The teachers are going to lose their jobs and students won't have as many opportunities for education and choices of classes as they used to. I think it's unfortunate that their government picked the education department to make cuts in. I think this is one of the most important systems to have, especially for the youth. In order to get a good job you need to get a good education and some of these student's feel like they are being deprived of a privilege they deserve to have.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)