Educating Children of Katrina

Educating Children of Katrina

In 2005 the United States experienced one of its deadliest hurricanes. Killing at least 1,836 people Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans when the levy system failed and it was flooded (Wikipedia). With the flood many evacuated the Louisiana to never go back. This leaves many children who must seek education in surrounding states where they have settled. Many states are forced to decisions on where and how they get funding for educating these displaced students.

Approximately 1.5 people evacuated Louisiana and surrounding area after Hurricane Katrina. Research reveals that there was a wide degree of diversity in the demographic characteristics and current economic status of those who returned to where they were living prior to the storm and those who did not. Of the approximately 1.5 million people who evacuated, estimations show that more than 400,000 had not returned to their homes by October 2006, and approximately 270,000 had not even returned to the county that they were living in prior to the storm. Blacks, younger individuals, and single people who never had married were significantly less likely to return their homes after the storm. More likely to return were whites, married couples, and individuals over the age of 55(Groen). This definitely poses many issues for surrounding states. How will these mostly young, black students be educated?

In John Goodman’s article, Educating Children of Katrina, he demonstrates how useful it would be for parents to have a choice what type of school their child should attend and which school should receive the funding. By evaluating schools value-added it would be easier for parents to choose the school that is right for their child. Some schools may be better at advancing slow learners and some better for black students. There are some schools that excel in subgroups of students (Goodman).

With parents having this option it will hopefully be beneficial for students. I do believe that when a disaster like this occurs it is important to make the child feel comfortable in a learning environment. Having the ability to relax makes it easier to learn for the student. As a parent I like the idea of having the ability to choose what best fits my child. Not all children learn the same, so having the option to place your child in a school where he/she can develop more educationally is important.

                As I enter the education field as a career, I believe it is important to know that you are dealing with people from different backgrounds and different social and economic statuses. You be able to embrace those differences and attempt to adjust so that all students are able to gain as much as possible.

References

undefined. (November 6, 2011). Hurricane Katrina. In Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina.

Goodman, John C. (October 13, 2005). Educating the Children of Katrina. In National Center for Policy Analysis. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from www.ncpa.org.

Groen, Jeffrey. (April 30,2007). Hurricane Katrina Evacuees:Who They Are, Where They Are, and How They Are Faring. In Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from .

Multicuturalism in School

Multiculturalism in the Curriculum

As America becomes more diverse ethnically, the idea of multiculturalism in curriculum becomes more of a concern. How is multiculturalism being taught to children today? In Adam Waxler’s article, Multiculturalism in School Curriculum, he describes how many teachers’ tactics of moving away from the traditional curriculum. “Teachers must include all the cultures that make up our history” (Waxler).  Waxler believes that this should be done, but not by separating history into different groups, for example Black History, women history, Spanish American History, etc.

I agree with Waxler. As an African American, I grew up in predominately white neighborhood. I can remember feeling segregated when learning of Black History and feeling singled out. All history is a part of America. So why is Black History singled out and not just included in American History in chronological order with all other events?

Currently whites make up approximately 80% of the nation’s population. This is anticipated to change over the next years. In only one year the Hispanic/ Latino American population grew by 2.9 million (Wikipedia). With the population changing in the United States, I think it becomes more important for students to learn about the diversity of America and the cultures that make up America.

I understand how it is probably easier for teachers to present information in sections. It also easier for younger students to learn in this way, however, when teaching information about American History in sections, what are we really saying? Are we segregating each groups like by teaching “Black History” in February? I believe American history should be taught in chronological order. After all, it is all a part of our history.

Waxler, Adam . (n.d.). ESL Teachers Board. In Multiculturalism in School Curriculum. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/articles/index.pl?page=2;read=1621.

(n.d.). Wikipedia. In Race and ethnicity in the United States. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from Waxler, Adam . (n.d.). ESL Teachers Board. In Multiculturalism in School Curriculum. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/articles/index.pl?page=2;read=1621.

Multiculturalism

I can remember learning about America's history as early as about 2nd grade. It wasn't until about middle begin to question how history was presented. Being an "African American" (in quotations because that's only the technical term) I could never understand why "black history" was taught separate than American History. Was the school suggestions that blacks were not a part of America? Was this another way of still segregating blacks from whites.

Most blacks would rejoice and celebrate the fact that black have their own month to celebrate their history, as the month of February in school was when we concentrated on black history. So out of eight months of the year that we attended school, we spent 7 months learning about every other part of history and approximately 20 days, taking out the weekends, learning about "black history."

I have always felt as though American history is American history. It shouldn't matter whether the people you are learning about were black, Chinese, Indian, or white. The fact is that America is made up of all different ethnic groups, so all are a part of America's history and should be taught as such.  To have a book that  included all of America's history would be great and I believe it would help students see the big picture.

Religion in Schools and the Theory of Evolution

For as long as I can remember the argument of "religion in schools" has been a debate. This is something that has always confused me, however. I believe that religion is a part of history. I can remember in about the 4th or 5th grade learning about various cultures, religions, and the meaning of different holidays. Is the Holy Bible an artifact of history? I think so. I believe it is important for students to be educated on all religions. No religion should not be forced upon a child as though one is greater than the other. Knowledge is a powerful tool. Although, I have my own beliefs, I have always found it interesting to attend different churches. I have always been curious to know why other people believe what they believe and how are we different. Throughout the years, I have learned an nonreligious person does not equal an unpleasant person.

I remember spending a small segment of 6th grade science class learning about the theory of evolution. It seemed as though the teacher really did not want to step on toes, as she threaded very lightly on the topic. I always wanted to know more. I recall going home and getting books and looking on the Internet in search of more information on this theory that totally went against my religion. I found it difficult to find any holes in Darwin's theory of evolution, outside the fact the it went against the Holy Bible. To this day my religion has not changed much since 6th grade. I still have the same beliefs. However my interest in the theory of evolution and the practices of other religions has grown. I still find myself looking for more information on these topics.

I think it's great to be educated in all areas, after all that creates a well rounded individual.

Web Log Blog 1

Makers and innovators have played an important role in public education. The classroom as we know it has evolved over the past years. Public education, as criticisized as it myay be, has become more efficient over the years with the assistance of many of innovators and makers. Economic growth has also played a vital role in public eduaction growth. Many children were required to work in the early 19th century to help support their families. This made is more difficult for students to attend school on a regular basis.

The industrialist class made up the real makers of the schooling as they inspired social effieciency. It had been thought that kids drive purchases. Therefore, influencing children would not only mean more for the chldren but alose mor for the economy. Forced schooling had been sold to industrialists. Many believed that children couls be taugh morals by attending school .

Inovators also played an important role in public schooling. Men like Booker T. Washington became leaders because of his dedication to improve education for African Americans. He helped improve schooling for African Americans. He assisted in helping African Ameircans move up the social ladder by becoming educated. Booker T Washington's popular lectures revealed the awareness o the educatioanal need for African Americans.

Many inventions such as chalk boards opened the classroom to the use of technology. The use of technology in the classroom still plays an important role in every classroom today. Although chalkboards are not as popular as they wer in the early 19th century, presentations forms like powerpoint or overhead projections all intitated from chalk boards as a form of visual representation.