There were many interesting quotes in this article that caught my attention the three that really stuck are the following:
quote # 1
"Child centered, whole language, and process approaches are needed in order to allow a democratic state of free autonomous, empowered adults, and because research has shown that children learn best through these methods."
If this is research based, why is it that our school systems continually take away the things that give our students empowerment? (ex.music, art, gym,etc) I believe the author is absolutely correct, if we want our students to learn and succeed as future adults, don't we need to empower them to think for themselves and incorporate strategies in our classroom appropriate for all the many different learning styles? The author continues to explain that in this country, students are judged on product not the process they utilized to achieve it. Delpict continues to state how we have so many children who are culturally deprived and verbally defiant. Perhaps this is because they don't understand what is expected from them. They are expected to act one way at home and the another at school. Perhaps we need to challenge administration and demonstrate the research shown that our students are not just a number on the testing scale, but individually capable of more.
quote # 2
"Those who are most skillful at educating black and poor children do not allow themselves to be placed in "skills or "process" boxes."
In this quote the author clearly states that we teach all regardless of color or economic status. Teachers who work with this population, must understand the process of communicating across cultures, and to really listen, to the family and the student. This is not an easy task, because it is something teachers must do with out judging and really opening up their eyes, ears and hearts. Taking a step back as the authoritative person can be difficult for some teachers, but the author believes that in order for these cultures to harmonize, there needs to be a time for teachers to teach students to use their own voices and continue to coach them on that process. In return we teach our families.
quote # 3
"What the school personnel fail to understand is that if the parents were members of the culture of power and lived by it's rules and codes then they would transmit those codes to their children."
How do we expect the children to "break the cycle" if we can't reach the families first. Delpict explains further that schools call the poor families "uncaring." Here is another cultural block when this families say, "its the school's job." It is the schools job to teach but to also teach our families. These families may not feel united or part of their child's school community. When we empower our families it trickles down to their children and to the community. Delpict continues to explain that schools should incorporate strategies appropriate for all children's cultural orientation. We do this not by separating but including families cultural values in our classrooms.
I agree with what you are saying about empowering families, but it can be difficult to build trust with families that for many different reasons can already feel marginalized. Strategies to increase parent engagement have been difficult to launch in my district but hopefully with a continued commitment we will begin to see a cohort of parents who are comfortable actively advocating for students and participating in the processb.
ReplyDeleteI think you hit on several interesting issues. One of the most frustrating is the fact that we are all judged on the product we create - whatever that may be - and not the process used to achieve it. Let's face it, no one at work cares how you did something if the outcome is not as expected. (and were those expectations clear???)
ReplyDeleteAs you wrote, if schools are to prepare kids to succeed as future adults, to be 'productive members of society' (a cliche that also focuses on 'product') then what a disservice to them. Keeping rules hidden or not explicitly communicating and teaching them (rules of behavior or life or standard vs. village English, etc.) while punishing schools for not achieving expectations based on those rules is absurd.
Great dialogue here... I think that the last quote you posted is so key and it is so hard to find that relationship when the culture of power creates dynamics of inequality!
ReplyDeleteI'm responding to Quote #3. I agree that schools and families need to be on the same team. Schools need to take the lead by promoting more parent engagement opportunities in which families can share more about their cultures and in turn schools can share language and customs used in school so that gaps can be bridged.
ReplyDeleteAs you state in quote two teachers must listen to the family of the chidlren. We can not change the way in which they live but we can do what's in our power to assist the child and family in other ways. The key component here is to be nonjudgemental. As humans we do have a sense of judgement even if we don't intend to. We need to try to be open minded and do what is best for the children. Empowering families is a very important component in the education field.
ReplyDeleteIt is very important to build a partnership with the families of the children that we work with. I wish that there were more ways and opportunities to get families in the schools on a more regular basis, rather than the typical open house and parent/teacher conferences. In order for families to come into our school, my district mandates that they get a BCI check. This is asking families to go out of their ways to prove that they are not criminals. There are asked to go to a police station, which is also a frightening place. I can see how this is a double edged sword. It is a constant battle between keeping our children safe and opening our doors to people in the community. I am unsure of whether or not this is a beneficial practice or if it is just keeping more families out of our schoools.
ReplyDeleteI love what your school does to encourage family partnerships. It really is a model for other schools! Having the family center so close by is pure genius!
ReplyDeleteDelpit would be so pleased!! Actively engaging the parents and listening to them!!! Valuing them!!!!
I can't help but comment on Danielle's comment on BCI checks. All schools do these checks for parents that are allowed to come into the school and volunteer/work with children. I was thinking, what if you had a storied past, and now are a responsible citizen with a family and a wonderful job. What if you knew you wouldn't pass the check? You wouldn't be able to visit your child's classroom. That would be a shame. But what if you were a pedophile and the check did exactly what it was designed to do, keep kids safe. I hear what you're saying about parents/caregivers on the margins and I honestly don't know how you balance the rights of the bad gone good offenders and the rights of the children.