Herold Hodgkinson makes some interesting points. It is only a few more years before all the races have blended together and our differences are far behind us. Unfortunately, for now, race is still a factor. I was captivated by the statistics of turnover in the classes that are on the first suburban belt. For a class to have 22 students year round but 20 of them be new students each semester will severely interrupt learning. A student will never be able to establish a relationship with the teacher if they are only there a few months. This is a result of the schools not getting the reviews they so desperately need.
No school will be able to pick up their status when they have so many students that they don't understand. As said in the article certain cultures are brought up to humble themselves and to respect their elders. The teachers are going to struggle to get these students to learn. It's difficult to know when a child is paying attention if they wont look you in the eye or raise their hand or yell out an answer. Actively listening is a trait Americans have because we are brought up that way, to ask questions and to be vocal. Other cultures don't do this and it can cause them to struggle in a class here in the states. The teachers are not knowledgeable enough to understand these differences and it prevents them from being effective teachers. This prevents the school from being able to improve itself and causes the high turnover rate.
No school will be able to pick up their status when they have so many students that they don't understand. As said in the article certain cultures are brought up to humble themselves and to respect their elders. The teachers are going to struggle to get these students to learn. It's difficult to know when a child is paying attention if they wont look you in the eye or raise their hand or yell out an answer. Actively listening is a trait Americans have because we are brought up that way, to ask questions and to be vocal. Other cultures don't do this and it can cause them to struggle in a class here in the states. The teachers are not knowledgeable enough to understand these differences and it prevents them from being effective teachers. This prevents the school from being able to improve itself and causes the high turnover rate.
1 comment:
I agree with your statement about children from other countries and cultures, possibly having trouble here in a classroom in the states. However I think this is a result of more than just not being participant in class due to a cultural difference. Even a child who was born in the states may have difficulty adjusting to new enviornment if he or she moves around a lot, regardless of culture. Of course this adds to a scenario, but I do not think that is the only one. Moreover, you mentioned that teachers are not knowledgeable enough about cultures of the students in their classroom, so they may not be able to decipher the difference between a child adjusting and one who is a product of a different culture. Do you think teachers should be better prepared, and take the time out to find things out about each student in the classroom so they could serve each one equally? I do not believe this should be a teachers main priority, however some attention should be given towards it at some point.
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