Reading this article opened my eyes to the level of education each social class attains. I always had an idea that most teachers cared more than others but to read an actually study and see the findings was very shocking. Most of the working class schools being observed showed teachers who did not seem to care in my opinion. They sounded lazy with no interest in making a difference in these children's education. In regards to the books that they used for social studies, it amazed me that they would get Textbooks that were meant for mentally disadvantaged students. All because they believed the students "won't get it". In my opinion, i believe that as a teacher it is obviously your job to challenge the students to make them understand. Social class should not be an excuse to let slide ones responsibility as a teacher to evoke knowledge from the students. It kind of disturbed me to read that most of the children from these working class school had no aspirations to go to college or obtain a high paying job. They all believed that they were not smart enough to do so. When Anyon observed that the students would sabotage the lessons, she noticed that they would do so because they did not care for the teacher. They wanted to see her angry, they said that they were making the teacher upset because "he did not teach them", or "make them learn.'' In the beginning he mentions how a newly higher teacher was nervous to work at that school because it was hard, and the principal told him that if he taught the kids adding and subtracting, that would be a bonus, if not that it was ok. If that is the type of mentality that teachers have when they go into their jobs, then its no wonder the education system in working class schools is horrible.
Anyon later went on to observe middle class school and noticed how the teachers cared that the students were more understanding of the material. As well as the elite schools. Both of these social classes showed a higher level of knowledge that the other school. They are supposed to be at the same grade level but it so clear that they are not. The kids in these types of schools were more educated and knowledgeable. They aspired to be more and they had higher expectations for themselves. They actually wanted to be there. Unlike at the other school. I myself have gone through both levels of education. I went to an elementary school in a working class society, it was a very low income community. When my parents moved to a higher income community i changed schools. When i got to my new elementary school, i had such a hard time because what i thought i knew at my old school, was something so different there.It took time but i eventually got the hang of it. It just makes me upset that these kids are basically being denied the right level of education. Working class communities also deserve to have teachers who are motivated to teach and want to change the way the system is. Myabe its just wishful thinking, but i hope that this changes.
I went to a private school starting from kinder garden to the twelfth grade, and I can understand the disadvantages that public schools have in terms of supply of materials and work force. Private schools hire the best ranking teachers who are open-minded, with high salaries, from school districts and want them to teach from the same textbooks that are designed and standardized by the school district. However, they have to come up with ideas that would help students’ leanings outcomes to be greater than the average of public schools. So, their students can move to higher education, and gain academic scholarships.
ReplyDeleteLack of knowledge within the families and the community of the working class, brings the children to conclude that they would not be able to gain knowledge or to become well informed with the help of their school. “Despite curriculum similarities, there were substantial differences in knowledge among the schools.” They see their parents and adults around them working endless hours with less pay, and accept the reality that their life is not going to change. They have to live where their parents lived and work in the same field that their parents worked in.
For the working class school, teachers who are born in the “uptown”, who are mostly male and single, are thinking of their payday and would not give a second thought about the future and education of their students. If these teacher do not know any think about their work environment, “neither principal knows the history of his or her school building”, it means that they are there for the work and income. For them students are like customers and not a part of the “uptown” society. They think it is the students’ job to learn and that they are there to make sure that students would learn. They are not instructors, or coaches who would train students in their learning process, “well, we keep them busy”. Ironically, their conduct is of a babysitter than a teacher. They use textbooks in a way that is not fit for the students’ knowledge or needs.
The lack of discipline, improvement, and progress that are widely visible in working class schools, is the main successful point in upper level of society’s schools. Within this school teachers make students participate in the learning process, they use all necessary means to help students achieve their goals. Certainly, family educational background help the students to do better in school, by providing them with tutors, and parents who are available to go over homework and give hope to these children to look for a better future.
One thing I realize is the lack of resources such as public libraries and bookstores outside of the working class school, this causes a major problem for students who do not have a calm and quiet place to study. Without the adequate supports, students are unable to focus, think, and learn.
-Artin Y.
This reading opened my eyes completely. I went to school all my life in a very privileged school district. I I had my fair share of teachers that I felt did not teach well, and did not take the time to care for the student who were falling behind, but this does not even compare to the schools Anyon visited. It is completely unfair for students who want to strive for a better life to be discouraged. This article made me remember how fortunate I was, but also how I should be more humble. I believe everyone has the right to an education. Not only an education, but a proper education that can help motivate students to shoot for the stars and be the best they can be.
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