As American as Public School (Reflection)

Diane Ravitch states in her introduction "that one of the greatest glories of the public school was its success in Americanizing immigrants." Before, during, and after the creation of public schools, there were certain effects I came to agree, argue, assume, and aspire with.

 

Three groups were formed in class and the top three choices for each category were picked. However, someones argument wasn't necessarily every one's argument too. Though the curriculum status was a problem (and still is today), school provided opportunities in the work field. Education was no longer granted to the wealthy, but to the underfunded as well: immigrants, for example, that made their way to America in order to improve their future lives. 

Not knowing how to provide the appropriate eduction, certain tests were offered for assigning students to varying curricular tracks, "allegedly in keeping with their needs" as quoted from the author. Soon after, these exams were used as a screening device to embed the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for college admissions.

Nevertheless, one issue arose: giving a test in a language the test-taker did not understand. In an example provided in the text, two-thirds of the Mexican American students in Los Angeles were classified as slow learners, and even mentally retarded, on the basis of I.Q. tests given as early as kindergarten. One could assume the tests were embedded to segregate and place each child in a curricular track where the pattern of their parent's occupation would repeat. Such aptitude tests did not determine the future educational track for any student!

At the beginning of this blog, and an argument several of the groups made, was that public schools were forcing the students to lose their culture. Opposed to a culturally responsive learning environment, schools succeeded in Americanizing immigrants and masking their roots. It's one thing to introduce American history and traditions to the students so they become aware, but it's also another thing to force them to believe in something they are not familiar with, especially if English is not their first language.

As a future educator myself, I strongly believe that not all "educated" people are destined for professional jobs. Yes, education does help prepare you for a future work field, however, there are professional jobs attained without having gone to school. School isn't for everyone, however, teachers who find a way of making lessons interesting, upbeat, and fun will grab a student's attention and will grasp onto the concept quicker.

Education should continue preparing children for future endeavors, not based off of their ethnicity, intelligence, or financial background. And though the Gary Plan might be seen as "sexist" now, I believed the Gary Plan was placed in order to grant the students some other option opposed to sitting bored in a desk for hours listening to the teacher drone on. In order for kids to have a rich school experience, they should be kept busy all the time, on their toes, and involved in things that would interest them.

But who determines how much time each kid should have learning, playing, and socializing? One thing I agree with, and hope to aspire with in my future class, is providing an equal amount of work, study, and play!