3. There is to much time spent on
standardized testing which takes up too
much valuable time that could be spent on
learning. Instead of teaching students we
are now just testing them. Testing is not
teaching. How and who does this affect?
Students from low-income and minority-
group backgrounds, ESL, and students
with disabilities, are mostly affected by
standardized testing then there
counterparts. They are more likely to be,
retained in grade or unnecessarily put in
basic education programs. This means that
they will fall further behind their peers.
Concern that time given to standardized testing
is causing schools and teachers to change their
focus from teaching to whether students are
learning (Kellough & Kellough 2011)
Who is affected ?
Students from low-income and minority-group
backgrounds, ESL, and students with
disabilities, are mostly affected by
standardized testing then there counterparts.
They are more likely to be, retained in grade or
unnecessarily put in basic education programs.
This means that they will fall further behind
their peers.
4. Student mobility is widespread in the
urban school districts. One of the
main attributes of student mobility is
residential mobility. Students need
stability in their schooling in order to
experience continuity, belonging and
support so that they stay interested
and engaged in learning. Mobility
not only impacts students who
change schools, it impacts the non-
mobile students and teachers who
must deal with mobile students.
The students may face the psychological
challenge of coping with a new school
environment.
The students also face the social
adjustment to new peers, fitting in and
social expectations. This constant change
can also lead to misbehavior and youth
violence
Trevor and his brother Teddy came to our
school at the end of second quarter from a
neighboring school. After researching, we
found that these two brothers were
constantly absent and was failing all of
their core subjects prior to enrolling. Since
in attendance, they have been a constant
disruption, skipping classes, fighting their
peers and refuse to do class assignments.
Recently, they were arrested for robbing a
store and beating the owner.
5. Because technology has had a great impact on globalization many schools are
finding different way to integrate it into their instruction. Changing instructional
approaches is no easy task, especially when technology is involved. Technology
has a long history of challenges, but with it comes great success for our students.
In the district that I work in we have a virtual high school and it serves primarily at-
risk students. The school curriculum is the standard curriculum; however, the
students have the opportunity to take the classes at their own speed. They may
register for only one class or they may take two or three classes. Students can
complete the classes as quickly as they desire. All classes are delivered via the web.
Since it is an inner city school, there is a physical facility equipped with computers,
with teachers available for consultation.
6. To be successful in the workplace and
adult life, all students should obtain at
least a high school diploma and have a
solid base of knowledge and skills. We
as educators try to encourage students to
continue on to post secondary education
to increase their marketing value.
"America’s students have achieved another
record-setting milestone," Education
Secretary Arne Duncan said in a statement.
"We can take pride as a nation in knowing
that we’re seeing promising gains, including
for students of color. This is a vital step
toward readiness for success in college and
careers for every student in this country….”
(US News, 2015)
Taylor is an average high school graduate
who could not afford to go to college. Over
the years while in school he worked with his
father on different equipment which helped
him build a mechanical background.
Because of his solid base of knowledge and
skills, he was able to get a high paying job
as a petroleum pump system operator.
7. We as teachers find that dealing
effectively with low literacy skills
is a challenge especially for
secondary teachers. We know that
successful learning in their subject
requires students to read and write
relevant information but that some
students have difficulty doing
this.
Students who have solid reading
skills tend to perform better in
school and become lifelong
learners, which adds more value
to them in a competitive world.
I have a student that is an avid
reader. He reads all kinds of
books. During class, he tends to
want to share how the book or
books he has read relates to the
topics being discussed.
8. Secondary School Teaching: A Guide to Methods and Resources, Fourth
edition, by Richard D. Kellough and Noreen G. Kellough. Published by
Allyn & Bacon.
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2015/02/12/us-high-school-
graduation-rate-hits-all-time-high
