When I read the following paradox, I thought about my 22 years of teaching. Some in math, some in computers. I have been thinking about changes in schools and changes in my perspective.
"Ironically, the increased emphasis on testing has come about because of a growing fear, shared by many in this country, that if we don't turn out better-educated and more highly qualified students -- especially in math and science -- then more and more of our jobs will go to better prepared students in developing countries." page 6 - Global Achievement Gap
According to Tony Wagner, there appear to be two achievement gaps -
- The gap between the quality of schooling that most middle-class kids get in America and the quality of schooling available for the most poor and minority children.
- and the Global Achievement Gap - the gap between what the BEST schools are teaching and testing and what students need to succeed in the global economy.
Read the following questions. Respond to any or all questions:
Question #1 -
Do you agree that there are Achievement Gaps? Give specific examples to support your opinion.
Question #2 -
What do today's high school graduates need to know in order to succeed in the workplace?
Question #3 -
Look at the Survival Skills in Chapter 1 - pick one that you feel you do a good job of supporting in your classroom. Give examples of how you promote this skill. Pick one that you feel you feel is important and that you need to work on improving in your classroom. Why do you think this is important?
Question #4 -
Discuss ways you have seen the world change in the past 20 years. How have schools changed in the past 20 years?
