Thursday, February 14, 2013
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Finnish School System's Amazing Results
The Atlantic Monthly, New York Times, and other media giants are taking a swing at summing up Pasi Sahlberg's book: Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland?
They focus on less homework, more focus on creativity and the one aspect that speaks to me:
NO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Although I've yet to read the book I am at the toppish end of a hold list at the local library.
And so, my uneducated unsolicited opinion is that "Choice Schools", "Private Schools", "Charter Schools" can have the unintended consequence of ghetto-izing neighborhood schools. a leadership exodous. Students, parents, families who have the time and means to be leaders in the school community abandon their neighborhood schools. Those schools then have less resourceful parents, families, and communities. Not just financially but the emotional support a student can offer another. The skills a student brings with them to the classroom provide support for the rest of the class and the community.
Case in Point: I did not learn addition from any teacher, any book, but from a classmate. And then taught my other classmates, siblings, and friends.
They focus on less homework, more focus on creativity and the one aspect that speaks to me:
NO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Although I've yet to read the book I am at the toppish end of a hold list at the local library.
And so, my uneducated unsolicited opinion is that "Choice Schools", "Private Schools", "Charter Schools" can have the unintended consequence of ghetto-izing neighborhood schools. a leadership exodous. Students, parents, families who have the time and means to be leaders in the school community abandon their neighborhood schools. Those schools then have less resourceful parents, families, and communities. Not just financially but the emotional support a student can offer another. The skills a student brings with them to the classroom provide support for the rest of the class and the community.
Case in Point: I did not learn addition from any teacher, any book, but from a classmate. And then taught my other classmates, siblings, and friends.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
"Let It Go" Bullying Policy
The Let It Go bullying policy put in place in some middle schools in Lane County, in Oregon, caused some concern among parents. Specifically, in Bethel, this story hit news.
The parent who sparked the news story quoted her son (so this is a fourth party rephrasing) that if the students saw bullying they should confront the bully and say "let it go". Which... sure that might send a message of "it's okay" HOWEVER kids are given skills to run and tell an adult but we've been shown over and over
A) Kids don't sometimes don't tell adults
B) Sometimes adults don't act
C) Kids torture "tattle tells" (and the kids in question have already been violent)
So although this might not be the best policy I've ever heard of I commend the school for realizing kids need tools... and one of them is walking up to the bully during the event and saying SOMETHING, ANYTHING, and "let it go" is pretty non confrontational.
The parent who sparked the news story quoted her son (so this is a fourth party rephrasing) that if the students saw bullying they should confront the bully and say "let it go". Which... sure that might send a message of "it's okay" HOWEVER kids are given skills to run and tell an adult but we've been shown over and over
A) Kids don't sometimes don't tell adults
B) Sometimes adults don't act
C) Kids torture "tattle tells" (and the kids in question have already been violent)
So although this might not be the best policy I've ever heard of I commend the school for realizing kids need tools... and one of them is walking up to the bully during the event and saying SOMETHING, ANYTHING, and "let it go" is pretty non confrontational.
Message to Gay Teens from U.S. Senators, "It Gets Better" video
A message to teens, especially gay teens, "It Gets Better"
Senator Udall from Colorado, Senator Gillibrand from New York, Senator Durban from Illinois, Senator Feinstein from California, Senator Wyden from Oregon (Go Ducks!),
Senator Coons from Delaware, Senator Schumer from New York, Senator Shaheen from New Hampshire, Senator Cantwell from Washington, Senator Whitehouse from Rhode Island, Senator Franken from Minnesota, Senator Brown from Ohio, and Senator Blumenthal from Connecticut all take part of the message to not give up, to hang in there. As one senator put it, the very things that someone is made fun of in high school can be what they are appreciated for as an adult. The talents, uniqueness, and personalities that make us different are what stand out to make us who we are as adults.
A good pick me up for kids feeling down.
Senator Udall from Colorado, Senator Gillibrand from New York, Senator Durban from Illinois, Senator Feinstein from California, Senator Wyden from Oregon (Go Ducks!),
Senator Coons from Delaware, Senator Schumer from New York, Senator Shaheen from New Hampshire, Senator Cantwell from Washington, Senator Whitehouse from Rhode Island, Senator Franken from Minnesota, Senator Brown from Ohio, and Senator Blumenthal from Connecticut all take part of the message to not give up, to hang in there. As one senator put it, the very things that someone is made fun of in high school can be what they are appreciated for as an adult. The talents, uniqueness, and personalities that make us different are what stand out to make us who we are as adults.
A good pick me up for kids feeling down.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Posting from Courage Campaign
Courage Campaign (a non profit that stands behind LGBT folks) posted this video by a young man.
Incredibly touching....a young man demonstrates how bullying has "torn him down" since 1st grade, and he is starting eighth grade. Kind of a tear jerker. Grab a stuffed teddy and some hankies before watching.
Incredibly touching....a young man demonstrates how bullying has "torn him down" since 1st grade, and he is starting eighth grade. Kind of a tear jerker. Grab a stuffed teddy and some hankies before watching.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Portland Area - Scholarship Info Session from Black College Fund
Want to learn more about college options?
The Black United Fund is hosting a College Fair at Portland State on December 3rd to expose prospective students and parents to opportunities for secondary education. Admission is free, and all high school, middle school, college, non-traditional prospective students and parents are welcome to attend.You can register through Nov 30 and be eligible for a drawing for $500 scholarships. (And don't forget www.usfirst.org/scholarships)
The Black United Fund is hosting a College Fair at Portland State on December 3rd to expose prospective students and parents to opportunities for secondary education. Admission is free, and all high school, middle school, college, non-traditional prospective students and parents are welcome to attend.You can register through Nov 30 and be eligible for a drawing for $500 scholarships. (And don't forget www.usfirst.org/scholarships)
Monday, November 7, 2011
Why can't we call bullying, bullying
I applaud W. Virginia's efforts here, but really, why does the type of victim decide whether bullying is bullying. Can't it be the actions of the perpetrator.... not the fault of the victim?
West Virginia Proposed Anti-Bullying Policy Aims To Protect LGBT Students
www.huffingtonpost.com
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- "A proposed anti-bullying policy for West Virginia schools acknowledges that sexual orientation and gender identity are common reasons for harassment."
The goal is to stop bullying. Bullying is defined as singling someone out due to differences of: race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, and mental, physical or developmental disability.
a controversy exists over adding sexual orientation and gender identity.
Sadly the article summary includes the foreboding:
"Even if the policy passes, White's not confident teachers and administrators will jump to defend LGBT students. But, he said, 'this will eliminate their cop-out.'"
West Virginia Proposed Anti-Bullying Policy Aims To Protect LGBT Students
www.huffingtonpost.com
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- "A proposed anti-bullying policy for West Virginia schools acknowledges that sexual orientation and gender identity are common reasons for harassment."
The goal is to stop bullying. Bullying is defined as singling someone out due to differences of: race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, and mental, physical or developmental disability.
a controversy exists over adding sexual orientation and gender identity.
Sadly the article summary includes the foreboding:
"Even if the policy passes, White's not confident teachers and administrators will jump to defend LGBT students. But, he said, 'this will eliminate their cop-out.'"
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Statistics
Although we all believe bullying is bad, perhaps we don't understand how widespread it is. In a recent article in the Oregonian, "Stand Up To Bullies, Create a Culture of Respect" Oregonlive.com, Hanif Fazal pointed out that 1 in 5 self identified gay students attempt suicide.
He names examples where racial minorities were bullied and harassed, he also cites statistics from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCES Web Tables 2011-336). The alarming result of that study point out that 28% of students were being bullied in the 2008-2009 school year. That means their learning, social development, and self esteems were stunted that year.
The reports I have read suggest that the pervasive nature of cyber bullying has only heightened that alarming percentage in the last two years.
As a portland area teacher. I have seen it, I have witnessed it, and I have worked to end it in my classrooms. It is a difficult beast to cage as it happens when adults aren't there. It happens online where we aren't looking. It happens in the lunch line where we are doing our best to make sure the dietarily restricted (such as diabetics or students with allergies) aren't tipping over their day with bad choices. And it happens when we kneel down to help a student one on one.
Cutting teachers means more students in each class. More students means less supervision. And I would argue in that unfortunate scenario I don't see bullying being stopped unless we educate our children and our students to be advocates for themselves or others.
A silent bystander is a bully too. Stop the hurt. Say something!
He names examples where racial minorities were bullied and harassed, he also cites statistics from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCES Web Tables 2011-336). The alarming result of that study point out that 28% of students were being bullied in the 2008-2009 school year. That means their learning, social development, and self esteems were stunted that year.
The reports I have read suggest that the pervasive nature of cyber bullying has only heightened that alarming percentage in the last two years.
As a portland area teacher. I have seen it, I have witnessed it, and I have worked to end it in my classrooms. It is a difficult beast to cage as it happens when adults aren't there. It happens online where we aren't looking. It happens in the lunch line where we are doing our best to make sure the dietarily restricted (such as diabetics or students with allergies) aren't tipping over their day with bad choices. And it happens when we kneel down to help a student one on one.
Cutting teachers means more students in each class. More students means less supervision. And I would argue in that unfortunate scenario I don't see bullying being stopped unless we educate our children and our students to be advocates for themselves or others.
A silent bystander is a bully too. Stop the hurt. Say something!
Monday, October 10, 2011
You have rights!
I am now a volunteer at Basic Rights Oregon, working on a "persuasion campaign"... Calling voters across the state and finding out how they stand on the issue of same sex marriage. It was an incredibly difficult night hearing people who were adamantly homophobic. It was also beautiful and nurturing to hear people who were very supportive. I mixed bag, really. Regardless I am glad I'm in my 30s and have the emotional reservoirs to deal with the homophobia. It reminded me to point out to any one reading this blog:
If you are being bullied know: You have a right to:
* Live your life free from fear
* Be safe and protected
* A supportive home, community and/or school environment
* Thrive physically, psychologically, socially and academically
If you experience bullying or violence because you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), or others think you are LGBT, remember that you:
* Matter and have a place in the world
* Are not alone - help and support is only a phone call away
* Can be proud of who you are
If you are being bullied know: You have a right to:
* Live your life free from fear
* Be safe and protected
* A supportive home, community and/or school environment
* Thrive physically, psychologically, socially and academically
If you experience bullying or violence because you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), or others think you are LGBT, remember that you:
* Matter and have a place in the world
* Are not alone - help and support is only a phone call away
* Can be proud of who you are
Online Harassment
This is an excerpt from Malware City.com,
These are interesting statistics about activity on the net:
16-18 year adolescents:
do various research projects for homework (43%)
hang out on social networks (31%)
while most 11-15 year-olds:
chat using instant messaging platforms (87%).
How much do parents know?
89% of the parents recognized that their children had been threatened, harassed or humiliated on the Internet
54% admitted that their kids had been very affected by these incidents
As a consequence of these cyber-bulling events, the children became sad, angry, violent, or apathetic.
19 % of parents sought specialized help for their children
These are interesting statistics about activity on the net:
16-18 year adolescents:
do various research projects for homework (43%)
hang out on social networks (31%)
while most 11-15 year-olds:
chat using instant messaging platforms (87%).
How much do parents know?
89% of the parents recognized that their children had been threatened, harassed or humiliated on the Internet
54% admitted that their kids had been very affected by these incidents
As a consequence of these cyber-bulling events, the children became sad, angry, violent, or apathetic.
19 % of parents sought specialized help for their children
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