A Vision for the Future

A Vision for the Future

The writer once read an article by an author for whose name I can not remember at this time entitled “A Vision for the Future.” This particular article was one that caused the writer to reflect on the past while, yet being forced into having to face reality, by way of sheer apprehension in relations to how the educational system, the writer and others assess learning. The author, without a doubt, revealed the truth about assessing for learning. In that it was mentioned that while assessment of learning has been a driven force in education, assessment for learning has been “ignored.” The author of that article undoubtedly, caused the writer to question, as to why is it that the writer’s parents did not receive notices of such tests that were to be administered to the writer, so that; they too, could assess the writer for learning? ” The writer’s can not remember ever having to take notes home informing parents of any mandated tests, for which the writer would have to take.
Yet, the writer who has a daughter who is now sixteen years old and certainly, remembering a couple of the daughter’s pasts schools making some effort to notify parents of tests that were to be taken by the student, nevertheless very little information was brought home by the student for the writer to assess her. The writer can also remember a couple of those schools taking the liberty of programming an automated system to call students homes, informing the parent’s of the tests their children would be taking. The system would specify that the student must be present to take the tests and pass it with a required minimum score. If the results did not meet requirements, the student will suffer the consequences as stated in the memo. The author of this article now makes the writer to want to begin an inquiry in to why is it that the writer and other parent’s are not receiving notices of tests given to assess their children’s learning.
Being a parent as well as an educator, has oftentimes, many times persuaded the writer into becoming more effective into seeking ways to assess students in everything they are required to know, as well as in those areas in which the educational system has not defined as required learning. Finding out what a student needs to work on in order to achieve competency is just as important as raising the bar to make everyone accountable. The writer believes this to be another area in which the “No Child Left Behind Act” should place more focus on.
Therefore, being an educator, the writer is most definitely, in support of assessing for learning. The writer too, agrees that there is a need for this information. The writer strongly believes that being a teacher a students needs should be recognized by the teacher and then those needs should be imbedded it to the student.

The Direction of Education

The Direction of Education

A career in the field of education is almost becoming one of nonexistence. Therefore, it is without a doubt that those individuals who chose to teach; do it because of their love for teaching and the delight one gets when enhancing students’ lives. True educator’s are a rare find, yet; those who do teach believe in the fact that “all” children can learn. However, with the increase of violence, lack of respect for teachers or those in authority and lack of parental support; it is almost impossible for teachers to take control of their classrooms.

With the mounting scares in the news and the lack of support from parents and proper authorities, teachers are afraid to take control of their classrooms. Certainly, there are other major concerns that the “new age” teacher has but still; safety in the classroom seems to take precedent. Children who are in school today seem to be more angrier than ever before which is now causing a more need for counseling and support from resources outside the classroom. A number of students and parents do not get the “vital” help they should have because many times educator’s resources are limited therefore, causing the student to fall through the cracks per se. Sorry to say, when the connection is not made, the teacher is defenseless in his/her own classroom because their safety, has been compromised.

Should teachers teach the way they were taught and if so is this always adequate for today’s students? Probably not, in that student’s way of life has changed to that of the information age. Technology is now incorporated into the “everyday” lives of today’s teachers and students. Almost everything that is done is computer-based. Families are fragmented, mobile, and stressed, and yet some educators continue to teach the way their teachers taught them 20, 30 years ago. As, result, causing students to begin to believe the curriculum does not meet their needs or applicable to their lives.