Comments for YT&T Show Blog

Comment on How to Fix Education by Andy Spano

Andy Spano — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:58:24 +0000

The answer is not to blame, teachers, schools, parents, unions, charter schools etc. but to realize that the system needs radical change that allows for eclectic approaches that succeed and fail. We are unable to address individual students in the present system in order to maximize learning. The failures of the present system have been there since its inception. Actually the system has improved and continues to improve. The problem is that the improvement is miniscule when matched to the needs of the 21st Century. The system is unable to address the learning needs of our people. It should be changed drastically. The failures would not increase but the opportunity for success would. The trouble is that the people responsible for the present system, or were successful in it, make the decisions. A new system threatens power.

Comment on Charter Schools by GreenGoblin

GreenGoblin — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:25:45 +0000

Really nice information, thanks!

Comment on Charter Schools by roclafamilia

roclafamilia — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:03:05 +0000

Helpful blog, bookmarked the website with hopes to read more!

Comment on How to Fix Education by Tom

Tom — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 02:59:31 +0000

Dear Charlotte,
Thanks for your comments. The suggestions I listed are those I understand have been made to solve the education problems. They are not necessarily all ones I would propose myself.
Of those listed, I understand you believe that spending more money and increasing the length of the school day or school year are the only ones that have any real chance of success. Are you aware of any studies on the effects of lengthening the time in school? What has happened to test scores in schools which have tried this?
Have you any other ideas or are you aware of other proposals other than the ones I listed? How about giving parents $10,000 for each child and let them spend this on what they decide for themselves would be the best education for the child. Wouldn’t competition between schools result in the best education possible?
What else would you like us to cover in the education area on future programs?
Thanks again for your interest.

Comment on How to Fix Education by charlotte

charlotte — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:20:53 +0000

With regard to Mr. Creel’s statements: #’s 1 and 2 – The AFT is one of the most powerful unions in the country: tenure and seniority are the bedrocks of that union. # 3 – as an extremely dedicated and hard-working teacher said, “What do you want me to do? Take the students home with me? I can’t work any harder. Ten thousand dollars a year won’t make me work harder – I already work as hard as I can for the benefit of my students. The offer of more money is not a motivator. It is an insult. #4 – sure, maybe will help. No evidence that it does. # 5 – “treating students as widgets in a factory’” – where is Mr Creel coming from to assume such a notion. #6 How will we “make” students pass these tests? #7 How does society increase teachers’ status when all it does is blame them for not solving society’s own self-driven ills? #8 – it would be nice to “throw” some money at education – what a radical idea #9 Absolutely!! Refer to #8. #10 Talk to Scarsdale and Edgemont about that. #11 – Only one of five charter schools have actually shown positive results. As with everything else, it depends on the creator and leader. Charter schools are not a panacea. #12 Whatever.

Comment on Working on some new ideas for show topics by Bob Stauf

Bob Stauf — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 12:14:58 +0000

How about programs on jails , correctional or punitive ? Is there a prison industrial complex that is often unaccountable and counterproductive ? Is recidivism being addressed ? How just is the justice system ? (Good luck,Andy)

Comment on Charter Schools by Timothy

Timothy — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:57:03 +0000

There are great things happening in charter schools.

http://www.leavechartersalone.com

Charters work!

Comment on technology and education by Andy Spano

Andy Spano — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 14:22:37 +0000

According to recent studies, the use of technology has not improved test scores at all and actually in some cases the scores have declined. What has improved dramatically (and you alude to it) is the fact that young people are becoming more self motivated and more proficient with technology. Too bad schools evaluate the wrong things. If they keep this up our edge in creativity will suffer. We need an entirely new system that focuses on the ability to learn, not to pass tests. We should start to use the term “learning” instead of education or schools and we will more quickly get to a better assessment process and environment for kids to learn.

Comment on Working on some new ideas for show topics by Andy Spano

Andy Spano — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 14:08:49 +0000

The way to combat demagogy is to get those people who are influenced by it to understand real facts and trust in their own judgement or sources of information. Demagogues play on ignorance and emotion. Many people are justifiably angry and insecure today and it is ripe for demogogues on both sides, the extreme right and left. I’ll keep your suggestion in mind. Thanks for the comment.
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Comment on technology and education by karenspano

karenspano — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:49:53 +0000

I am a teacher and I have walked that fine line of educator and innovator for a few years now. I happen to be a special educator and that makes my job ten times harder. I work with some children who do not have that tech savy that many kids have. I work with children who do not have access to the internet at home. It is a challenge each day to manage the technological progress in education with the needs of all my students.

With that said – the internet /technology has to be accessable to all the students in order for it to be useful.

In my district we have strived to make all technology available to all students whether or not they can partake at home. Children are like sponges. They often get “it” long before I do when it comes to technology. They do not question the logic or ease of it – they just run with it. For every lesson I have planned utilizing the “smartboard,” or just simply computers – accounting for some of the students lack of knowledge they have surprised me – knowing more than me or at the very least they are able to find their way, with my assistance – they are eager to participate.

There is no longer the “have” and “have nots” when it comes to technology. It has opened doors that were thought to have long been closed. Technology has enabled me, as a teacher to light the fire in students that may have never been eager to learn. Technology in the classroom has changed the way we teach – yes- but in a way that makes children who may not have wanted to learn eager to achieve. The only pitfall is that the standards that have been set for children do not include this new way of demonstrating knowledge.

I will continue to use technology in my classroom with or without the reward of high test scores. I will remain confident that my students are learning – noting their progress is evident in their participation.