how we see our schools

[Anonymous]

This is an article from Beijing Review published in April, 2012.
The author commented on the private university he taught and looked into Chinese education system.

http://www.bjreview.com/print/txt/2012-04/23/content_448111.htm

[Anonymous]

Some parents have complete confidence in the educational system and some are suspect. I think everyone would like to see our studentsas successful, well adjusted, well rounded contributing members of society. However, it seems that everyone has a different vision of what this encompasses. Different societies cultures and different expectations.

[Anonymous]

I read the article about the "Near Record-Low Confidence in the U.S. Public Schools," however the same organization in 2010 had a survey that showed that 77% of parents grade their own child's school an A or B assessment, even though the overall view is only 18% of national schools having an A or B grade. I have to wonder what causes this difference. One might argue that parents know their own school better, and that view should be accurate of the public school system. If that were the case, perhaps negative media reports contribute to the low views on education. The other argument might be that parents do not want to think that their own children attend a low-performing school, and so might over-inflate their assessment.

Overall, I believe that media does play a large role in how we view our schools, and stories about failing schools are much more scintillating than positive stories, and overall views may be skewed by this fact.

[clay dube]

Gabrielle, -- I think the point you made about people grading their local schools much higher than they do schools generally is really important. I think this is quite common. Greater contact and knowledge does produce a better understanding of strengths and weaknesses and especially a deeper appreciation of aims and accomplishments. On the other hand, what we tend to mostly hear news about problems and failures in other places. So we form a more negative overall impression.

A 2012 Gallup survey finds "confidence in US public schools at a new low" - but big business, unions, congress, and HMOs score even lower!
http://www.gallup.com/poll/155258/confidence-public-schools-new-low.aspx

But as you note, in 2011, Gallup found that attitudes towards one's child's school were MUCH more positive (14% gave schools, generally, an A, 37% gave their child's school an A).
http://www.gallup.com/poll/149093/parents-americans-positive-local-schools.aspx

A Pew survey from 2011 found that Americans want more pressure on students while Chinese want pressure reduced. Indian parents also think the pressure on students is too great.
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/2086/china-students-united-states-pressure

[Anonymous]

The public education system in the United States needs an upgrade in curriculum, and in the classroom. All classes should have the latest technology, LCD projector, white board, computers,laptops, IPads, electronic screen, and whatever else is on the market that can facilitate learning and give our students the skills they need to compete globally. We don't have that across the board. For the last four to five years as a teacher for LAUSD, I and many others have had a pay cut, year after year in the form of furlough days. Though, it is over the damage is done. There seems to be a lack of respect for teachers in the public school system. Now, we are faced with a part of our evaluations being based on student's test scores. Wow, are you kidding me? What about the student that does not participate in the curriculum, in the class nor with homework? What about the fact that in some households education is not a priority? What about the student with poor attendance? What about the Special Education/ General Education student that is illiterate but is on a General Education curriculum? What about the student that doesn't care about the test and is finished within a short period of time? There are so many factors that can prevent a student from scoring advanced or profiicient. When will they figure out how to include the parents in this equation of test scores parent/guardian + student + teacher? Some parents will come pick up the students cell phone before they will make or keep an appointment to conference with the teacher.

[Anonymous]

I completely agree with you cware! It truly is scarey to think that teachers will be partly evaluated based on the students test score. The state needs to look at he whole picture. We have no control over what goes on at home. It really takes a village to raise a child. It is a community effort that needs the support of the parents. The parents are the critical piece to the success of the child, the school, and the community.

[Anonymous]

Education needs some type of revision. Responsibilty for educating the child is not just the teachers it is the parents who need to take responsibilty and the school needs to make some demands that they take responsibilty. The school system has to come up with a proper curriculum and stick to it. The teachers have to realize that they have to work to teach the students and all three of them need to make demands on he child that the child needs to be responsible for his/her learning.

[Anonymous]

These are all very valid points, however, more educators need to involve themselves with policymaking in any way possible. If students truly are as important as our society claims, then everything that affects their development should be on the table. From hiring more talented new teachers at competitive salaries to reforming the evaluation methods, to holding parents, policymakers, and businesses accountable for the incredibly unequal socioeconomic environment in our country. Real reform requires us to be informed and involved.

[clay dube]

A Gallup organization poll conducted in June 2011 found "near record-low confidence in U.S. public schools." Only 34% told Gallup they had a "great deal" of confidence in public schools. The figure has fluctuated between 33 and 41% since 1991. http://www.gallup.com/poll/148724/Near-Record-Low-Confidence-Public-Schools.aspx?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=syndication&utm_content=morelink&utm_term=Politics%20-%20USA

A study published last year looked at the demands Japanese parents made of public schools. A television program "Monster Parent" fostered considerable discussion of the topic. One of the first things that leaps out from the study is that "parents" essentially means mothers.
http://ssjj.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2010/10/26/ssjj.jyq052.full

The issues raised by Japanese mothers are seen here:
http://ssjj.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2010/10/26/ssjj.jyq052/T4.expansion.html
Expectations toward the school, expectation of the impact on one's own student, and so on are covered. Among the striking findings:
parents worried that children's morality and civic responsibility had weakened
parents worried that adults in the community were becoming less involved with children
parents worried that children are becoming less interested in learning and their academic ability was declining

I think Americans might express similar concerns.

Please share news articles and studies that explore the expectations/attitudes that different peoples have toward their schools.

[Author]

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