High School Dropout Age

I think that raising the high school dropout age to 18 would be a smart decision. In order to obtain even a job paying minimum wage, most places require at least a high school diploma. If we raise the dropout age to 18 it will help ensure that more students graduate with a diploma. I also think that the decision of dropping out of high school is one that should be made when a student is of legal age to make decisions, in most states, for themselves. When a student turns 18 they are considered legal, in most states, to make decisions for themselves without parental consent. I think if they make it to this age, they should be able to make an educated decision about dropping out of high school. If the high school dropout age is raised to 18, it would make a lot more sense in conjunction with other laws that are in place regarding age. If a student is trusted to make decisions without parental consent regarding their body and other activities, that is the time when they should be allowed to consider dropping out of high school.

(2009, November 15). Raise dropout age to 18. The Boston Globe.
http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2009/11/15/raise_dropout_age_to_18/

New Findings on Dyslexia

It was interesting to me to find out that dyslexics have a harder time tuning out background noises. I think this information can be very helpful to teachers. As teachers we strive to provide a learning environment that is conducive for all of the students in our class. I would hope that provided this information other teachers could work with dyslexic students in providing a quieter environment for learning. It would be interesting to see if these students really did begin to better understand information presented to them in an environment with less distracting background noise. I think this could be a simple thing teachers could be aware of to help their students with dyslexia. If I were to test this information out and work to provide a dyslexic student with a quieter learning environment it would be interesting to see if noise cancelling headphones would be worth the attention they would receive. I think that teachers should continually try to stay updated on this type of information because sometimes simple changes could mean the world to some students.

Alleyne, R. (2009, November 12). Dyslexics find it hard to filter out background noises. The Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/6544673/Dyslexics-find-it-hard-to-filter-out-background-noises.html

Healthy Student Eating Habits

I think that the school system in this article is definitely on the right track with providing elementary school students with breakfast, but I do not think that such unhealthy options should be provided as options. As elementary school students these children are at an extremely impressionable age. They do not have their parents there in the morning helping them make good decisions about the food they are about to start their day with. If these children are constantly bombarded with sugary unhealthy options, that is all they will learn to choose. While these children are young we need to instill better eating habits in them. If we start teaching them how to eat right from a young age, when they begin to make food decisions independently they will be making healthy ones. In a nation like ours in which obesity is a growing concern, I would think that teaching children to make smart decisions about how to eat a balanced diet would be a top priority. This school system has made a significant step in helping jump start their students in the morning, now they just need to start it with the right ingredients.

Eng, M. (2009, November 5). Chicago public schools breakfasts are big on doughnuts, sugary cereals. Chicago Tribune.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-cps-breakfast-nov05,0,79591,full.story

Budget Cuts in the Creative Arts

During a time when our nation is faced with growing budget problems school systems are forced to cut back certain programs, but is it really right to consistently let the art programs take the fall? I think it is essential to keep these programs in elementary schools. While younger children are developing, I think it is important to offer them creative outlets to ensure that it truly becomes a part of who they are as they grow older. Classroom teachers can attempt to integrate art and music in to their classes, but teachers who are specialized in these fields will be able to reach the children better because that is what they are trained to do. It is vital that we keep arts programs alive in schools, so we can continue to foster creativity in children. Without the creativity that the arts help to develop a lot of doors begin to close later in life. If children are not introduced to the creative arts, we are doomed to end up with generations that are only focused on facts and numbers, not knowing how to appreciate the beauty the arts can possess.

Berman, L. (2009, October 29). State Plays same old song with school cuts. The Detroit News.
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091029/OPINION03/910290399/1409/METRO/State-plays-same-old-song-with-school-cuts

Electronic Libraries?

New technologies often bring very difficult decisions. Does this new technology make what it is replacing obsolete? The burgeoning availability of online databases and computerized books seem to be making libraries a thing of the past. I think that digital databases are a great investment because they can provide students so many more sources than any fully funded library can. Investing in digital, online databases gives students a wide variety and large amount of sources without the extra space needed to house them. Online databases also take away the hassle of having to maintain a whole library of books. While this is definitely a viable option for research sources, I am hesitant to rely completely on technology for works like fiction and picture books. I do not think that purely because these books are available in digital form means we should utilize it for everything in print form. It is definitely more convenient to complete research online with databases, but reading books should stay on paper. While it may make sense to turn middle or high school libraries digital, I think elementary school libraries should remain primarily in print. I think the children would receive much more benefit from reading hard copies of books at those levels than purely in electronic form. Also, currently there is a smaller selection of these types of works available in digital form so it would not be of that much benefit for students since it would be limiting their selection. I think one of the wonderful things about elementary school libraries is the wide variety and selection that is available to them. If these children are encouraged to read as many books as they can to improve their reading skills and develop a love for reading, I think the best way to offer that to them currently is with books in print.

Toppo, G. (2009, October 27). School chooses kindle; are libraries for the history 'books'?. USA Today.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-10-26-kindle-school-library_N.htm

Busing for Diversity

The proposal of ending the practice of busing students to different schools for diversity is interesting because it can be very controversial. While diversity in schools can be a problem with neighborhood zoning, is it worth the inconvenience? This system in North Carolina has clearly been in place for some time now and is working, but I feel like the school system should be able to work out a school zoning system that still provides for some diversity while allowing students to attend elementary school closer to their homes. While I realize that there would be many students affected by this new change in the school system, I think that in the long run it would be better for students. I also think this would help parents of all socio-economic levels. I do not think it would be fair to bus students from low-income families to a school that is farther away from their home because there are many aspects of school that cannot be attended by way of a bus. Requiring parents to drive out of their way to pick up a child at school or to meet with a teacher for a conference would be unnecessary stress on parents of a lower income bracket. A school should consist of diversity, yes, but also the sense of community that is reached when children who live close to each other go to school together.

Hui, TK, & Goldsmith, T. (2009, October 20). Wake schools to take new path. News Observer.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local_state/story/149110.html

Interactive Whiteboards

The growing use of interactive whiteboards in the classroom today is increasingly helping teachers and students. These new whiteboards allow students to directly interact with PowerPoints and other interactive images and activities. I think this particular piece of technology will become more widely used and integrated in to the modern classroom within the next ten years. These whiteboards allow teachers to get students more directly involved with the lesson at hand. I think this direct interaction truly helps students make more connections with what they are learning because they are having a more hands-on experience with it. I think that students are also more likely to pay attention to lessons involving interactive whiteboards because it uses technology. This generation of students is constantly consumed with technology so the more we can integrate it into teaching, the more we are going to grab student attention. During a time when attracting student attention is becoming harder every year, I think this piece of technology is definitely worth schools investing in for every classroom.

Taboada, MB. (2009, October 6). Leaving chalkboards in the dust. Austin American Statesman.
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/10/06/1006grant.html