THE ODDS

Article:

Changing the Odds for Children at Risk: Seven Essential Principles of Educational Programs that Break the Cycle of Poverty.

Abstract: 

This book discusses many of the challenges and disadvantages that children face when growing up poor. S. Neuman (2010) explains seven key factors that will help break these odds, which are:

1. The critical years for changing the odds

2. Changing odds by funding that works

3. The seven essentials to changing the odds

4. Changing odds by helping strengthen families

5. Changing the odds through high-quality early care and education

6. Changing the odds through community-based programs

7. Changing the odds through after-school programs

Reflection:

I really enjoyed this article because it talks about many of the concepts that the organization I teach for stands by.  The seven factors discussed are all very much a part of our program and they have very much become a part of my teaching.  Much of Susan Neuman's research targets low-income families/students, as well as English language learners, which make up the majority of the students I teach.  Not only will this article help in supporting my thesis but it has connected me to an author who has researched a great amount in areas similar to what I am interested in, I'm excited to learn more.

Reference:

Neuman, Susan B.. Changing the Odds for Children at Risk. Santa Barbara, CA, USA: ABC-CLIO, 2008. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 24 March 2015.

BLOOM!

Article Title:

Closing Achievement Gaps:
Revisiting Benjamin S. Bloom’s “Learning for Mastery” 

Summary:
Guskey (2007) reflects back on the many great discoveries and findings of Benjamin Bloom within his article, Closing Achievement Gaps: Revisiting Benjamin S. Bloom’s “Learning for Mastery.” The article discusses the concerns of the achievement gap that exists among various groups of minority students.  Bloom discusses his ideas that in order for educators to increase student achievement instruction must be modified in order to better fit the needs of individual students. This is often accomplished through the incorporation of differentiated instruction or small group instruction.   In order to for teachers to successfully modify instruction, a clear understanding of students knowledge and learning must be understood.  


Reflection:

When attempting to better understand students' learning and knowledge, it makes sense that educators provide students with assessments in order to better gauge their learnings.  I agree with Bloom's ideas that assessments are valuable learning tools, both for students and educators.  Where I see the importance in assessments, I see equal importance with what is done with the results.  My goal as an educator is to never administer assessments just for the sake of wrapping up a unit or learning concept.  I have used many of these suggested concepts to help drive my research. As I always strive to use my assessment results to provide students with corrective feedback as well as provide myself with valuable information in regards to student learning.  Through creating a foundation for understanding of student’s academic abilities and by providing insight on how to better accommodate each student through assessing their strengths and weakness I am able to create more focused and meaningful instruction.

References:

Guskey, T. R. (2007). Closing the achievement gap: Revisiting Benjamin S. Bloom’s “learning for mastery.” Journal of Advanced Academics, 19, 8–31. Retrieved from
http://www.eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ786608 

X2

Reflection:

    As I am constantly stumbling upon literature that supports my research I often find myself analyzing not only the validity of the information but also how it applies to my current teaching situation.  I have recently found valuable information withing the Harvard Education Letter Spotlight Series,  Teaching Immigrant and Second-Language Students that I hope to share with the parents of all of my students. Wiltz (2004) states the following:

BENEFITS OF DUAL-LANGUAGE CLASSES

In promoting English-language learning, AVANCE emphasizes a dual-language approach so that Spanish speaers develop skills in their native language and in English. "We support the bilingual philosophy," says Mathur. "But someties people think of literacy as only English literacy. I think that's narrow. Research has shown that children who develop a high level of literacy in their home language are subsequently more adept at transferring that literacy to English."

This approach is especially helpful in fostering home school connections with immigrant families. Immigrant students often grow up in a split world, encountering a vastly different culture at school than they do at home. If they are foreigners in English-only classes at school, they may also begin to feel estranged at home, where their culture and language are different from what they encounter each day at school.

     This research provides support to one of the current topics of discussion among the parents at Teton Literacy Center, which is the dual immersion program. When students enter into kindergarten within the public school district they have the option to enroll their child in the dual program. However,  because it is a highly sought after program a lottery is used to determine who will be able to participate in the program.  
     The common point I find myself, along with my co-teacher attempting to convey to parents is the importance of continuing to support their child's native language at home. The passage above not only describes the benefits of developing their native language but it also talks about the importance of helping their child to maintain a connection to their own language and culture.

Reference
Harvard Education Publishing Group, 8 Story Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.