Suburban Chicago Schools Lag as Bilingual Needs Grow

While reading this particular article, I was well aware of the bilingual issue in our school systems, however I didn't realize the bilingual gap on state mandated tests had gotten so large.  Also, I didn't notice the percentage increase of English-language learners in our schools was steadily increasing so much as well.  This is why I feel that learning a foreign language in high school should be required, but even through college as well.  Even though I took three years of spanish in high school, I have forgotten the majority of what I learned due to the lack of practice.  While I think all majors should be held accountable for taking more foreign language classes in college, I also think it should especially be a rule for education majors.  Although many may not agree with me, this issue needs to be dealt with one way or another, so why not starting with more tools to be added in our tool box to be used in the classroom?

A Field Trip to a Strange New Place: Second Grade Visits the Parking Garage

I was taken back at the beginning of the article in which it says "By age 4, the average child in an upper-middle-class family has heard 35 million more words than a poor child."  This quote sent chills through my spine.  Some never really think about exactly how big the educational gap between middle-class students and the poor students is.  That should give proof right there.  

When I think of a field trip, I think of the science museum, however if you teach at a school such as the one described in the article where almost all of the 436 students attending that school qualify for free lunches, field trips such as the parking garage seem appropriate.  This is a place where they are familiar and can relate to.  This unique place to learn also broadens my horizon when I think of places in which my class can make predictions, observe, and ask questions.  This excites me that simple things like this can be such a huge influence on the daily lives of students everywhere.  Becoming familiar with their environment is crucial and gives the students a base in which to apply skills such as reading the signs, and calculating mental math problems when figuring out how much money will be needed after 40 minutes at the parking meter that costs 50 cents for 10 minutes. 

I really enjoyed this article because it started to sprout my own ideas for field trips in my classroom one day. 

Education Gap and Assessment Response

     I am very intrigued by the topic this article from the New York Times written by Sabrina Tavernise entitled Education Gap Grows Between Rich and Poor, Studies Show, presents.  This study concerns me because, with research on the issue, there still doesn't seem to be any solutions to this dilemma teachers find themselves facing.  They are being forced to try and make up for the time lost with single parents that fall under the low-income status.  To me, this sends a red flag in my direction when our education classes start to warn us about the accountability testing we are seeing all throughout the U.S.  It isn't the teachers fault that their student with a low-income family goes to bed hungry or is home alone for a long period of time until their parent or guardian can get off work.

     I am very glad to see that the achievement gap between white and black students has narrowed significantly over the past few decades.  With this being such a huge issue years back, I feel that by the new issue arising and being addressed by President Obama and some of our republican Presidential candidates, this is just the first step in recognizing the issue and finding a way to move forward.