Part of my plan for the start of my I2 project this year is to continually research specific controversies within the country regarding the American education system. Recently, I read an article that interested me. Though this idea is not new, it caught my attention because it isn't exactly the first thing I hear that people say when talking about our education system. But this idea makes tons of sense.
General Problem: We aren't training students properly for the careers they aim to pursue in an increasingly popular category: entrepreneurship. Current situation: Because of our changing economy, more people are wanting to become entrepreneurs. Proposed solutions: 1) Technology is HUGE for getting a job! So why isn't American education pushing it? Partner privately with resources in school districts. 2) We aren't teaching business and finance skills, so we need to integrate that into our system by funding programs already doing this in more school districts. 3) Structure practical classes. 4) Show people how to think like entrepreneurs, not necessarily become them. (After all, we need people to work for entrepreneurs too!) This idea answers the question, "What is the goal of education?" with "Feeling prepared for your career." This was a good reminder to me, because it seems like every student today is so caught up with merely the next step in their educational path (for me, doing well on SAT's to get into a "good" university) that they forget that ultimately, we are preparing to be happy with and ready to perform well in our careers. I'm hoping to continually post about different resources I find to help me narrow my topic and identify the specific part of education I'm most interested in. Source: Time Magazine. Web. 2 June 2014.
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The Exploration of Education
Introduction & Type of Project Why do American students perform so poorly compared to the rest of the world? Why do teachers get away with working while being under-qualified (and that's not even considering other countries' higher standards)? Why do Americans see the field of teaching as such a respect-less career? Why does the American education system encourage many parents to drive their children past dozens of public schools to drop them off at a private school? I've spent some time exploring American education issues, from reading books (a good one: Radical by Michelle Rhee) to watching documentaries (Waiting for Superman is excellent). The long-lasting debate is fascinating to me. The list of controversies goes on and on, and now, I want to help solve these issues. For my I2 project, I would like to identify a specific problem of American education and learn more about it (Skill category), and from there, do something to try and solve that problem (Creation category). I've considered creating a website and community to promote awareness amongst students of issues of education in America (because students are experiencing this firsthand), applying to do a TEDx talk at SHC, creating a written work, or developing a course/program that addresses one specific subject. However, I have yet to choose one, and this is outlined in my plan of action below. Related Projects & Inspiration Ever since I began school, I've wanted to become an elementary school teacher. That desire has stemmed from a number of things, including my love for working with kids and the time I've enjoyed in my own school experience. Yet, as I've grown older and thought more seriously about what I want to study in college and have as a career, the teaching profession has become less appealing. Some of the harsh realities of pursuing education in America have put teaching under a different light and flood my brain with questions. I have not found a related project run by students, but some major education programs in America that try to address issues are Teach for America (TFA), Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), National History Day (NHD) and StudentsFirst. I've chosen these for their popularity, success, and level of experience (of people I know or my own). Of course, there are many more that I've failed to list here, but these are the more well-known groups.Teach for America trains numerous aspiring teachers to equip our classrooms with high quality educators. Harlem Children's Zone aims to provide more education opportunities for those in poverty. NHD is a program I've participated in that allows students passionate about history to explore a specific topic further and compete with their project (the history version of I2). StudentsFirst aims to make education issues more aware in the rest of the country and works to ensure that laws being passed are truly benefitting American students. I hope to use these resources to learn more specifically (and gather statistics) about the issues they chose (poverty, reaching out to students by making a certain subject more interesting, etc.), which will help me narrow down my topic. Most importantly, I hope to model these to solve the specific problem I identify in the next few months. For example, StudentsFirst specifically lists in its mission that it aims to raise awareness about education, and that may be the first step I need to take over this next year, before moving on to taking direct action like TFA or HCZ. Plan of Action (blue= continuous throughout the year; I'll have to edit 2nd semester plan of action in December once I've chosen the "create" aspect of my topic, as that'll dictate the majority of my actions) October: -continue researching educational reform programs in America to help narrow topic -ask for feedback and consider this in narrowing topic November: -narrow topic options to 3 specific areas of American education -find people I can connect with locally to discuss opinions on education -family friends teaching in San Mateo Public School System and SFUSD -friends in college studying to be a teacher -experienced teacher/ alum of TFA -my teachers (current and former) -SF Board of Education (may have a connection) -ask for feedback -post update on i2 blog December: -have topic narrowed down to 1 specific controversy -identify best way to "make a difference" -inform (i.e. a talk to get people involved, publicize idea with a written piece) -change (i.e. start a new program with a different style of teaching) -get to know education experts that I connect with -post update on i2 blog -ask for feedback January: -start to work on written piece or website/social media platform (which would include learning how to manage a technology-based platform such as this) -OR identify a specific subject that I would like to improve and draft program/course -ask for feedback -post update on i2 blog February: -formally interview one of my connections to integrate their opinions (which may include compiling a video to post) -OR test program/course on students at my old grammar school? (if available) -ask for feedback -post update on i2 blog March: -continue experimenting program and analyze data (post data analysis in some sort of compilation, such as a blog post or video) -OR finalize draft (of website, social media, written piece) for peer review -ask for feedback April: -prepare demonstration of program for May i2 event -ask for feedback and edit written piece or plan of attack to involve community May: -present and gather even more valuable feedback -...freak out about AP's, finals, and college apps Posting monthly updates until March will keep me accountable to continuously check for feedback. In March, I will focus on finalizing based on the feedback I've gotten over the months and prepare to present in May. I haven't started yet (besides a little reading and watching for research) but will post when I have some evidence of doing so! And, well, this is obvious...but I'd LOVE any and all feedback, tips, comments, and thoughts. After all, fellow students and current teachers are some of the most qualified people to be reforming American education. :) |
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April 2017
CategoriesAuthorEmily Tam '17 |