Edumakashun

Education is a big thing now in America and has been one of the issues thoroughly discussed in the recent electoral debates. What I'm hearing the most from the candidates is that the curriculum and expectations in education should change from the bottom up. Essentially, the lowest grades should be refined. I whole heartedly agree with that plan. Most of the students who end up not achieving as they should are products of bad elementary schooling. It's a shame when compulsory education is implemented in curricula as early as second grade. Now, I'm not saying that we should do away completely with teaching basics, such as the fundamentals of math, science and reading, but as students ascend in school grades, the education they receive should be tailored more towards their critical thinking skills. And you can still do that with base subjects such as science and math. Challenging students to devise their own math problems or science theories will help them grow more cognitively than just giving them problems to solve or just sticking them in chem. labs following the steps to a worksheet.

Treating students like receptacles is not healthy. The nuances of the college classroom should be assimilated into the high school classroom. It would benefit both the teacher and students alike. I now think that education should be like a profound conversation. Someone broke down "conversation" for me and I thought that it would work for schooling. I'll give you the truncated definition because that conversation was really deep. See, a conversation is an exchange, hence the conversing. (I don't think you're stupid, I'm just trying to make my point clear) The environment inside the high school classroom needs to be an exchange. This definitely should not be the standard for every class because there are times when students need to just listen, but if you want them to grow intellectually, force them to spew out some thoughts.

I honestly do believe this: You never know what you really think about something until you actually have to speak about it. You're left with no choice but to articulate your thoughts. The problem in pre-college education, is that students aren't being lured into expressing themselves. Consequently, they go through years of education not giving serious thought to what they're learning and it affects them holistically. Going years without developing a working discourse is engaging in self-destructive behavior. And that's evident in today's world.

I really think we should give some serious consideration into quelling all these "higher achievement" courses and grades. Think about it. Psychologically, that affects those who are both in and not in those courses/grades. The people who are in it get a psychological boost. They feel more able to perform academically and are also more confident about their cognition and ability. Conversely, the people who aren't in it or don't make it are affected negatively. Just imagine not being in that course/grade as a young person with an impressionable mind and you're being overtly told that your intellect and ability is not up to par with your comrades. Psychologically, that affects you. And it can result in many different things. The most prevalent effect is lowering your own expectations opposed to the students who are in those courses increasing theirs. You don't feel capable, you lose confidence and it affects your initiative to work. Sounds plausible? I think so.

You cannot gauge intelligence or ability based on memory. A lot of the exams, especially the state mandated ones, do not accurately test aptitude, rather they only test the strength of your cerebrum, which is the part of the brain that holds your memory. The S.AT., A.C.T., and Standard Achievement Tests are all frauds no matter what. I don't think there is anyone who honestly felt "smarter" or "dumber" based on their State test scores. And if someone did feel either of the two, there is some serious insecurity there.

I don't think anyone is smarter than anyone. People are knowledgeable about certain things and they are most privy to things that are key to their survival. Those who live in the Ivy Towers are extremely articulate, keen on books, politics, and cultural capital. The people who live in ghetto's possess knowledge about how to manage themselves in their situation. Do not undermine street smarts. Anyone who lives in a depreciated neighborhood surrounded by vice and marginalization for a number of years and survives that is smart. They know how to manage living in that situation, just like the Ivy prince and princesses know how to manage living in their situation. They are constantly in venues that require the knowledge they have or are in pursuit of and it benefits them. Neither is smarter than the other. It's just that the knowledge that they have is varied. I say all that because certain groups of people are polarized based on "intelligence" and it isn't fair. Everyone is a human being. And all human beings have potential. The problem is that the Powers That Be don't see that and consequently they neglect those people. That neglect rears its head in the geographical-educational system we see today.

Teaching To Transgress..... Good book.

That's my spiel. Oh, I wanted to share this. Sorry, it isn't hyperlinked.
http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/15772-black-history-what

Parting Thoughts:
I think its safe to say that Women's Studies has changed my life.
Facebook status' could have their own show. Really, they could.
Time sucks.
There should be a recall on all water-based deodorant.
Guru's "Jazzmatazz" is off the chain.
If the guy from the AllState commercial asks me one more time if I'm in good hands, I'm gonna freak.

Over and Out.

Oh yeah, Dead Prez- They Schools. Give it a listen.