Social Issues In Education

Precious Knowledge Building on Strength   by Ana Celia Zentella A Critically Compassionate Pedagogy For Latino Youth   by Julio Cammarota and Augustine Romero The film "Precious Knowledge" is arguing that some students have a dysfunctional relationship with the school, not with learning. Studying early childhood education we were always encouraged to teach to each individual child. Every child has different interests and learning styles and in order to make learning most effective it is important to be familiar with your students and teach to their needs. This stood out to me while watching the film. At no point in the clips of the classroom were they teaching hate or putting down another group of people. They spoke about facts and related it to education. These teachers found ways to connect with their students and relate to them on a personal level while teaching them about their identity. The results were clear. The students felt empowered and they were ...

Deculturalization and the Claim of Racial and Cultural Superiority by Anglo-Americans By: Joel Spring &  The Indian Boarding Schools By: Michelle Bollinger These two articles discuss how one culture with power can form a belief that other cultures are inferior to them. They come up with ways to justify their beliefs and execute plans to eliminate and assimilate cultures. Schools often become a large part of this process. The following are quotes that stood out to me while reading each article. "Under the direction of white, Christian leaders, savage Indians could shed their barbaric ways and assimilate into white society and become civilized." The mindset of this quote is true racism. Believing that one way of doing things is better, or the right way to do something and forcing others to lose their identify. Throughout the article you see how a group of people become powerless to people who have means, which in turn gives them power. Even though t...

What Counts as Educational Policy? By Jean Anyon The author of this article argues that in order to make actual changes, there must be a reform of polices first. There is proof that poverty works against students in urban schools ability to develop and achieve. With even just small amounts of support, it is proven that students living in poverty can achieve higher levels. Some suggestions that the author provides to remove economic barriers include: Legislate a higher living wage Create jobs that offer career ladders Tax wealthy families and corporations to pay for these investments Integrate segregated housing  Create public transit routes so low-income urban residents have access to jobs in suburbs. The author argues that "polices like these would create a social foundation on which high-quality schooling would rest". The Full Cost of Incarceration in the US By Matt Ferner This article outlines the social costs of the effects of incarceration. ...

In Sickness and In Wealth  Filmaker: Larry Adelman This film argues that wealth equals health. Throughout the film they show research studies that prove people with higher income and less stress have better health and live longer lives. A quote that stood out to me in the beginning of the film was: "Social conditions are more powerful than genes." It took watching the rest of the film to truly understand the meaning behind this statement. It is clear that higher income families have access to better food, opportunities for education, and financial security. After the film showed brief interviews with the members of different parts of the community, one thing stood out to me: stress. The CEO of the hospital lives in a nice house where he has access to good food and has the time to prepare healthy meals, exercise, and spend time with his family. Although his job is stressful, the power he has gives him the ability to manage his stress. The man who also works at the ho...

Hi my name is Jessica Rosace. I teach Kindergarten at St. Rocco School in Johnston, RI. I have been a teacher for 8 years and graduated from URI in 2010 with a bachelors in Early Childhood Education. I have also been working as a seller on a website called Teachers Pay Teachers. I create and sell unit plans and other teaching materials. The extra income from this site has allowed me to pursue my masters degree!  I am currently in my first year as a grad student at RIC studying reading. This is the third class I have taken so far and I am looking forward to the interesting topics we will discuss!