ETE 663 - CHAPTER 12 - RELIGION

CHAPTER 12 – RELIGION

Religious diversity and intolerance is a big issue in America and in the education system.  Because 80% of all Americans identify as being Christian, this dominance along with the negative media slant on other religions can make Christians come off as religious bullies. It makes it confusing in classrooms when deciding when it is appropriate to allow students to wear religious items especially when that item communicates hate of another race or religion, such as the white supremacy. How we embrace religion impacts every aspect of education, beginning with the school prayer.

As a child we recited prayer in school. That has since been removed. We argue the division between church and state. However, many of the holidays and days out of school are tied around Christian religion. Schools policy regarding make up work when children do not attend school is impacted. If a child misses school due to an West Indian religious observance, that student is penalized for days out of school.

As far as evolution vs Intelligent Design, it is difficult for me to way in, without bias, as to which method should be taught. I am a Christian. Therefore my bias would be towards teaching the creation according to the bible. However I would not force my view on others. Likewise I would not want their view forced on me. Maybe it’s best, given the growing diversity in the classroom, to remove this area as curriculum topic altogether.

QUESTION: Is there a correlation between violence and bullying in the classroom and the diminished presence of religion/prayer in schools? Does the lack of emphasis on morals, values and character open the door to violence and poor behavior?

ETE 663 - CHAPTER 11 - SEXUAL ORIENTATION

CHAPTER 11 – SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Risk factors for GLBT community and students include alienation, depression, verbal and physical abuse and ostracism as outlined by Dr. Cantu. Most people in the GLBT community have reported some incident of suffering from physical violence or emotional trauma because of their GLBT status. There continues to be the prevailing theme, despite legislation passed to protect this community, of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” . Unfortunately it’s treated as a culture to hide or to be ashamed of. This feeling is exacerbated in the black community, particularly more so for Black Men and Boys.

The Gay Lesbian Straight and Educational Network is making progress to diffuse the negative view of the GLBT community by providing educational resources to discourage bullying and encourage tolerance. Nevertheless, bullying is on the rise.

QUESTION:  Is the level of bullying of the GLBT community accelerated by social media? If bullying of the GLBT community is accelerated by social media, why then aren’t the educational tools against bullying that are shared on the same platform (social media), not more effective?

ETE 663 - CHAPTER 10 - GENDER

Much of the early research and legislation, such as Title IX for example has been focused on the development of girls. The research and legislation has expanded awareness of the development of girls and also opened the dialogue to innocuous and blatant gender biases. In more recent years the focus has shifted to boys for a variety of reasons, including an increase in school violence. When I read the  “draw a scientist research question/method” and what children subsequently drew back then and now, it made me wonder how race or skin color would impact this drawing.

Despite having the first African-American first family, the perception of black women remains negative. When children are asked to draw a woman, by in large that image would be of a female with features normally associated with white woman rather than features associated with black women. I don't’ think America sees black women or black girls with the same gender sensitivity and respect as white women and white girls.

The text shares subject matter considered more complex, such as mathematics is still predominately dominated by men. This dynamic exist not because of lack of female talent in mathematics. The text shares that there are in fact a significant number of qualified female mathematicians. The text also goes on to explain that “these women were not viewed as creditable and were largely ignored”.  Marriage and gender roles within the marriage framework have a negative impact on the number of women remaining in the workforce practicing their craft.

I found it interesting that research conducted in 2002 by the National Center for Educational Statistics showed boys have a higher drop out rate than girls; are reprimanded more harshly and publicly than girls, comprise 71% of all school suspensions and were the minority in college enrollment. Yet men dominate corporate America.

QUESTION: The boys tracked by the National Center for Educational Statistics grow up to be men, running corporations and educational institutions. Is there a direct correlation between the facts outlined in the research and the state of this male dominated America in which we live?

ETE 663 - CHAPTER 9 - EXCEPTIONALITY

With regards to exceptionality, I am admittedly out of my depth in this area. Based on what was shared in the course materials, I am struggling with determining whether separating children based on exceptionality does more good than harm. 

Requirements for gifted students here in the U.S. are below those of other nations. Are we then  doing the children a disservice by giving them the impression that they are more intelligent than they really are? Increasingly more children are being categorized as having attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder. Has this become a more chronic condition or has it become a method to weed out children with behavioral problems?

ETE 663 - CHAPTER 8 - POVERTY & SOCIO ECONOMIC STATUS

Poverty as defined in the course materials, is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom. Deprivation of common necessities, such as food, clothes and shelter. The U.S. Census shows 30 to 40 million people were living in poverty in 2007.

More than half the nations total poverty number is comprised of African-Americans and Hispanics. In contrast, less than half the educator and administrators teaching this demographic look like the children they teach. Lack of cultural awareness could be a stumbling block for educators teaching impoverished children, as they may not be as sensitive or cognizant of non-verbal communication from the children. These educators could miss cues more culturally sensitive educators might pick up and act on.

Given I am not a classroom educator, I can only imagine the difficulties educators face when trying to teach children that are not prepared for classroom instruction as a result of poverty related issues. Lack of clean clothes; hunger; lack of stability at home are just a few challenges classroom educators in the Chicago Public School system have citied as distractions.

Immigration, whether illegal or legal, accelerates the rate of homelessness in the U.S. One of the unfortunate casualties of homelessness is children. Schools without a homelessness plan fail the children they serve.

QUESTION: Is it the teachers’ responsibility to deal with poverty & socio economic barriers in the classroom? Does society expect teachers to have a social service component as well? Does it have a positive or negative impact on the curriculum?