Asbury Park- Educational News

          As I have been researching Asbury Park I was very impressed with the High School, its infrastructure is beautiful. It is nicer than some of the other high schools I have seen in much wealthier districts. It is a large school surrounded by gardens, and has tall Roman sculptural columns, very expensive looking. Another new aspect of the school is their football field. It is all new, large, colorful, and beautiful. A few weeks ago as I searched for articles written about the educational system in the town I came across many postings discussing how Asbury Park spent a large amount of money in per pupil expenditures, about $35,000 compared to other towns who have more students and receive less money. Then I looked at their results and just as those postings had described, the test results were disappointing. So where is all of this money going ?  From what I saw it might be going into making the infrastructure look appealing and pretty, because the testing results are remaining mostly constant. Then I just read on the town's website that they are looking for a new superintendent, it is reported that they notified the current one her contract would not be renewed after this year, could it be because of  these choices ? Could she have done something to improve the educational system, and could those choices have helped increase the test scores ? I would hope so, and hope that the next superintendent makes the right choices for the students.

Asbury Park News

          During the past few weeks I have been researching the community of Asbury Park. This week I was looking through the city's website to see how the town government portrays the community. The website was impressive, I was asking myself how does this town seem so much like New York City, what caught my attention the most was that for a town with only a population of 116,000 it has twelve art galleries, a few music venues, the boardwalk, and so on. But then as you compare this to the town specs such as their income, age bracket, real estate values, reduced priced lunches, and school testing results there is another picture I saw that is not the one portrayed in their website.

        The town is basically split into two sections by the train tracks, one is the upper economic part and the other the economically challenged section. All one has to do is cross the train tracks and you can feel like you are in two different places while still being in the same town. In my opinion it seems like the town government is more concerned about catering to visitors, and the more upscale residents that may spend their summers there than on the full time residents. There are twelve galleries in the town but there are no programs when an after school snack is offered without a fee.  There seems to be a lot of money being spent on many things pretty, and nice infrastructure but not being invested into education or the full time students.

Curr 509 - Waiting for Superman

        Waiting for Superman was the appropriate title for this documentary.The documentary was about how the United States school system is falling apart, and producing students that are behind other emerging countries.The documentary basically says that charter schools have a proven track record, and advocate that this is the answer to the failing school system, but if we replace every school we have with the charter school system what makes us think that the charter school system is not also going to start to turn.
        The failing system is blamed on teacher having tenure, and the bureaucracy that is involved in school politics. Shouldn't the answer be to lessen the bureaucracy, and hold people accountable. Yes, there were some disturbing features about teachers with tenure such as teachers just reading the newspaper and one went way over the line to put the students head in a toilet. Tenure is a good way to reward teachers, and make them feel more at ease in that they can actually teach without having to worry about their job safety. Some people do their best work when they feel safe. But, should there be exceptions to tenure, yes, a teacher who does not do their job and teach or one that goes as far as doing what was recorded by the student should be let go. I remember having a teacher like the one described when i was in middle school, someone who instead of teaching math would read the newspaper all day, and that should not be acceptable. I believe this might happen because as teachers most go into this profession enthusiastic to make a change, a difference. But, as time goes on and you cannot do it because of such factors as bureaucracy it demoralizes the teacher. There are however exceptions to that, some just do not believe. It was eye opening that in the beginning of the movie the man driving the car past the schools explained how he was a school teacher. And when he was a teacher he believed in the system and everything was fine, but when it came to having his child attend the public school system which he worked in at some point then he did not believe in it and it was not good enough. If any educator, or person who works for the school system does not believe in the system or in that it is worth it, or that they can succeed, then how they actually do it. How can one succeed at change or imparting knowledge on someone else when deep down you do not believe in it yourself, and that is the first change that needs to occur. Because in this case, charter schools are the superman of the documentary but superman can only do so much.
        

The article Relevant: Beyond the Basics

          The article Relevant: Beyond the Basics, was an article that I enjoyed reading and can identify with. This articles ties into Curr 509 because until now we have been focusing on the students socioeconomic levels, and how a teacher must sympathize and adapt based on the hardship this might be causing the student’s educational level. But, culture is another factor that can greatly impact a student, and how they view and absorb the content that is being presented to them. Culture, in a way, makes you who you are because it impacts how you think and react to different factors. That is why I agree with the author of the article, culturally responsive teaching is important, it is a way to connect with the students on a personal and educational level. It also has the power to motivate the students because they can relate the content to everyday factors, and see how it is relevant to them. Personally, I know this because I spent most of my mathematics days saying, why do I have to learn this and when am I going to use it. I did not realize until it was shown to me in a different manner applied to something I use every day, such as stairs, that we can use these equations in an everyday setting or in a relevant setting. Knowing how it related to me because I needed to walk up and down those stairs everyday made the content more interesting and my willingness to learn it increased. 

             Culture has the same effect, culture is something that surrounds us and we live it with it every day. Teaching with culture in mind will motivate students, allow them to learn more and faster, create a connection with the teacher, encourage students to voice their opinions through class discussions more, and build respect. Being culturally responsive does not mean watering down the content, or that the teacher does not have the appropriate skills. It take more skill, time, and effort to teach this way because the teacher must try to learn more about the different cultures in the classroom that she/he might be not be familiar with. No matter what color a person is everyone has a culture, therefore cultural responsive teaching can be integrated with any student.

Asbury Park Media Reviews

The Asbury Park educational system has been in the press and on public’s minds a few times during the past few years. Most of the media and blogs written about the town’s school system describe a school where a large percentage of students drop out or are suspended. The rates are significantly higher compared to the NJ averages. Their standardized testing is also lower than the overall NJ scores, where none of the students scored in the advanced categories in math, and scored low on language arts.

Every article and blog I read discussed the money the school district in Asbury park receives and the “dismal “ results that are being output. One blog, written by Paul Mulshine, stated that the district spends $35,000 on per pupil expenditures, and in return have dismal testing results and statistics. The blogger was discussing how this district receives too much NJ aid compared to the amount of students in the school system, and should they be receiving that much money if they are producing good results. The second blog, written by Parth P, I read discussed aspects of the Asbury Park high school. Again, it stated how disappointing the standardized test results were, and how the school had improved in state rankings but a slow and insignificant increase. The football team, other sports, and choir were mentioned but the author thought they were ok but nothing that deserved merit.

On the other hand the two articles I analyzed were different than the blogs in that one only discussed violence in the schools but did not offer any suggestions as to why there is violence in the schools, police patrols are needed, and the other provided the students point of view.  The article that offered the student's point of views , written by Patti Martin from the Asbury Park Press, had a more honest and see through feeling than the others. It also took into account the feelings and thoughts of students and teachers in the community and did not focus solely on the negative aspects such as violence, money, or low test scores. Some of the quotes a couple of the students offered in the article, made me infer that the students are aware of the negative comments being made about the school, but they feel like change is being made for the betterment of them.

Both the blogs and the published articles I reviewed have strong messages they want to communicate to their audience. Every story we hear subconsciously impacts us in a way whether we want it to or not, they shape our understand and shape the way we view and react to things.  Our society and culture determine how we see, hear, and reacts to circumstances. We think that low test scores are fixed by throwing money at the problem, and if money does not fix it, then let's try to take the money away, which was the argument in one of the blogs. The Asbury school system is slowly improving, the data shows it and the students feel it. Society tells us that we should focus more on the scores of standardized testing than the feelings of the students actually attending the schools, which stated in the articles that now they have teachers who care if they succeed.  Society determines what is acceptable, and if as a society we feel that low test scores make a school subservient, it impacts the way we see the school, the teachers, and the students in that school. People pass judgment on them, as if they are less deserving because they are not performing to society's standards which affects they way they begin to see themselves, and could cause them to give up on their education, and stop believing in themselves.

Community Research - Asbury Park, NJ

         This week I started doing the research for the community project, and the community I have to research is Asbury Park, NJ. I chose to focus on the Asbury Park High school for my research. I found that most of the student body is composed of African American students, having more than four times more students of this ethnicity that the NJ average, and a very low number of White students.
         Half of the student body is living in poverty, and score low compared to the NJ percentage on the HSPA exam in Math. The scored for language arts are in the same range as NJ's, it is probably due to being composed of mainly African American students, and having a low percentage of LEP students.
         As for the community the median age is 34, which is an age where most people are settled and make a little more money. But, the percentage of people who completed a bachelor's degree is only 17.4%, and the median household income is $33,663, having 32.4% of families living below the poverty level. These statistics along with the NJ standard of living, make the information we have been reading more realistic. I can see how the numbers in those studies translates to people in a community and how this can affect test scores such as in HSPA test.  The numbers and percentages so far state that this community is for the most part poor, but when I looked at the town website, they made it a point to show beautiful buildings, and discuss the boardwalk, and it seems like the town is composed of many landmarks and fun things to do. The website does not communicate and idea or hint of a poor community, therefore I look forward to visiting the town and seeing the community how it really is.

Realabilities Film Festival

Last night I attended the realities film festival to watch 2 films called, Jazz Hands and The Importance of Tying your Own Shoes. These films have been the most educative and impacting moment thus far in the MAT program. I realized why all of the textbooks say that visual context is so important to learning, because it allows for a relaxed conducive learning environment. You think you are only watching a movie, but you are actually learning, and it makes a large impact because you see real people going through experiences and you sympathize with them. You become involved with the characters and identify with them.

The previous night to watching the films, I was having dinner with one of my high school friends, and I was telling her that I had to take a class about how to integrate kids with disabilities in my class, and that I was nervous because I have never previously had contact with any children who have a disability. We were remembering when we were in high school that was not a factor, we never had anyone in out classes with a disability, or at least one that we could notice.  And that I did not know how much of a disability a child can have and be integrated into a regular classroom. Because of my not knowing, and lacking any previous experience it makes me nervous and gives me some anxiety, which is the reason that I did not inquire further about the STEM program that was offered to me when I entered the MAT program. The films made impact on me, because I realized that these situations it might be difficult to handle, but even though a child might have a disability, children are children and want to be looked at like everyone else and not like they are different. The characters in the film had serious disabilities but they still had feelings like any person, and wanted to feel normal, that they could do things. They liked Alex because he made them feel just like anyone else, he looked at them like people and wanted to make their lives to be easier and better, even though everyone kept saying “they think differently than you and I.” Alex realized that they could do things, and wanted to be treated and have fun like everyone else. The film made me more comfortable with the idea of having an integrated classroom, even though it might be difficult, I think that having some instruction on how to handle the situations that might arise, I will be able to have an impact on my students and even my students on me.

White Privilege Reading

            White Privilege has been the reading that thus far I have enjoyed the most, and where the author actually explained herself on why she thought racism does exist and white people just do not want to acknowledge it. Even though I only agree with very few of the twenty six points the author lists, I enjoyed this piece mostly because she spent time saying oppression does exist and this is why, and not just yes it does because I feel it, as in other readings. To me that is what made the point, because in any valid argument you have to list the reasons why someone should support or disagree with your argument, and her points went from something small such as the color of a band aid to politics. Something as small as the color of a band aid really makes us think and reflect because it is something so small that we overlook it all of the time, unless well we actually ran into the issue of the color not matching.

            Even though I did not agree with most of the explanation she stated in the article, I can accept that they may in some places. In my believe the amount of racism or oppression felt can depend on the area where you live, and it could be that i do not agree with most of the points because of where I live. Anyone in my area can go to a store and buy any card or Barbie they may wish, and can buy makeup that matches their skin, or band aid. But, this may be an access issue I live in a major metropolitan area and not everyone can have the same access. If a person lives in a smaller town and in an area where stores might be smaller, or an economically disadvantaged area they have less access to choices. Lack of choices might not be due to oppression but to other factors that may exist, such as location.

Curr 509 - The Silenced Dialogue

When i started reading the article, yes the first thing i noticed was the way the author was writing and referring to the "white" teachers. She went on to describe how white teachers were teaching, and I kept asking myself what does teaching style have to do with race or racism. Teaching is a matter of style and not race. I agree with the author in the fact that cultural differences do affect the way we handle and portray ourselves. I agree in that the way we speak and act are part of our culture, and that it is hard to communicate across cultures, especially when guidelines are not clear. I understand why she is angry at the white teachers, because she does have a point that no one should assume they know more about a subject or situation if they themselves have never been in that situation. But, instead of getting angry and shutting down, teachers who feel this way should find a creative way to communicate or enlighten the others. Or since she is so focused on power, and it made me feel like she was saying it was wrong for someone to be in power, then she should strive to reach that position of power to make a change. It is true that one of the ways to make change is to make waves, but the best way to make a change is not to complain about or get angry it is to put yourself in a position to have the power to make the change.

Another way to approach the issues raised in this article are to change the curriculum,  implement teaching guidelines, specify to teachers that they must give clear cut instructions, and everything must be taught. Obviously, I know everything cannot be taught, but when I say that I refer to the part she discusses not assuming children know certain things like the alphabet when they reach school. Culture affects us but it does not define us, according to the article white teachers would say things such as would you like to put the scissors way in a suggestive manner. But, not all white teachers speak this way, I know I would not because I like clear cut directions.

As for power, in every society there are people in different levels of power, we put people in that position because someone does have to be the gatekeeper. A gatekeeper is necessary because if there wasn't one we could have people who do not know how to do something such as read or write themselves teaching an English class, and that would be a disservice to the person and to their students. I do not think people are lying to themselves thinking that no one is in power, or that there is no gate keeping. People are very aware of these situations.

All students no matter race or class should be taught the "codes of power", we cannot assume that because a child is white they will already know certain codes. But, everything cannot be placed on the teacher, it is also the students responsibility to ask for her when they need it. A change could be made if everyone stopped looking at each other as a race or economic level and started thinking that all children deserve the right to the same kind of education, and that children should be encouraged to ask questions, communicate, and ask for help. 

Not Enough to Live On and Poor Kids

After reading Not Enough to Live On I understood a little better what some families are going through, but it did not make much impact because in reality when reading a document like that one you are just looking at rates and numbers. Then you read about the recommendations for proposed policies to hopefully close the gaps that one may or may not agree with based on your ideals and background knowledge. Then I listened to the segment on Moth Radio and I was not too impacted. Growing up in a very diverse town such as North Bergen, and next to other towns that are on a lower socioeconomic level, that was a story I have heard before from it occurring to people I know. Back when I attended school North Bergen was a town where you had people who were poor and did not want to show it, and people who had a lot more than they needed to live. But, after watching the Poor Kids movie, and putting faces and names to the descriptions and numbers in the reading it was shocking. It stirred up mixed feelings of sadness, guilt because I have always had so much, worry because I hope to never have to go through that, and others such as hope that maybe someone or something can make a difference in the lives of any children that have to experience things like this. The video was a real eye opener. It made me really relate to the kids, and wonder what if it was me or someone I know going through something like this. These kids are not having the chance to be kids, one of the little girls was saying how she was happy her family was happy, and she did not care if she was. That is not something a child should have to think about. 

Economics and poverty are directly correlated. A family’s economic level dictates the level of life they can lead. I was glad and surprised to hear that at such early ages most of the kids in the video understood that education is the step they need to have the opportunity to make a better living. In the classroom sometimes it is difficult for teachers to teach if the resources they need are not available, and a lot of times teachers have to put their own money to buy supplies they kids may need. As for the school, the Nutrition club shown in the video was a good start, although it could have been handled a little different because it singles the kids out to have to walk out in the middle of lecture to get the food while the others stare at them. It is enough what they are going through, to also be put in a situation where other kids can pick on them. In NJ, there was a proposed program where low income children could not only get lunch during the school day, but also breakfast. That is a policy that is much needed and helpful, how can children be expected to come to school and learn, and then display that knowledge in a standardized test when they are overwhelmed and hungry. A child can forget for a minute the situation they have at home, but they can’t forget their body asking them for food. 

I don’t believe policy or teachers buying supplies is enough to close the gap, the community needs to be more involved also. If you see your neighbor needs help and you can help them, do it. In my opinion there needs to be more community involvement, more community programs where kids can get a book if they too, get some used clothes, a plate of food, etc. Communities can do this by being more involved and doing more fundraisers. As far as the schools, there needs to be something extra to instill in the kids that education and drive are imperative to success, so that they can break the cycle.

Curr 509 - Self Sufficiency Standard

The real cost of living in NJ was an eye opener as to the struggles that a lot of families have to go through. These struggles do not only affect the adults in the family, but also the children and their everyday activities. Children should not have to worry about factors like money until they become adults; they should have the opportunity to be children for as long as possible. Unfortunately, their family structure and economics affect the way they feel and function. Children's circumstances affect them because they can be hungry, lack clothes, somewhere to sleep, or lack a place to do their homework. Something that some of us take for granted such as having breakfast can affect a child's ability to focus and learn. They may not have a parent present at home to help with homework or instead may have to take care of their siblings. Some families are not able to make enough money to meet the self sufficiency standard. If they are not able to meet the standard they either have to lack some of the necessities they need or receive help such as food stamps or welfare.

The self sufficiency standard is a measure of a wage that a family needs to meet their basic necessities without receiving outside help, such as from the government. This standard is better, but not perfect, than the federal poverty level of the amount of money a family needs to live. I do not know how the government is using a forty year old model to determine what a family in today's society need. This is not very appropriate when the model and cost of how a family lives has changed greatly in the last few decades. Nowadays, most likely both parents must work to make ends meet, and children do not have the opportunity to have a stay at home parent always tending to them. The self sufficiency standard is more realistic to today's society because it takes into account geography and the children's age because age correlates to the cost of childcare, where the FPL does not.

As a teacher being aware and sympathetic to our student’s circumstances are the most important things we can do to help them. Teachers need to consider the student’s religion, family structure, economics, social structure, culture and combine those considerations with teaching content. Sometimes children just need someone to listen to them and care about what they might be going through.