So, our school got some money from the federal government - we're Title I, now. There are some really good things about getting federal money, but there are some drawbacks, too. One of them being that you have an auditor overseeing how you spend your money. Now, I haven't met him personally, and I am certain he is a perfectly nice government auditor. I am sure he takes his job very seriously, works hard, and does the best he can. Just like all government employees. And I know funds are limited. Still....
My teachers asked for atlases. We each had sets from 10 years ago when the school opened. 6 class sets over 1E0 years had disintegrated into 20 something barely held together with hope and prayer. We've been begging for new ones for years. The book has maps, of course, but not as many, not as much detail, etc. The district decided they'd rather invest in online or atlas software. Ok, this is the 21st century. I'll get on board with that. But, oh yeah, we rarely have access to computers. The lab has been appropriated by the Math department. We were going to have our own. Our amazing tech teacher even found 30 computers for us. Alas, no tables. It's ok, the kids can work on the floor.
With this federal money, we decided to try again. First veto - can't the kids just use Google Earth. Well, sure but see above about the computer issue. Plus, Google Earth doesn't do thematic maps. Those are kind of important.
So, ok, buy us more technology so we can do that. Sounds reasonable???? Oh - well, we should spend the money on Math and English since that's where we're tested.
That's what testing has done to us. We are relegated to the status of annoying step children who only get hand-me-downs.
Well, next year, we'll be tested, too. Shouldn't we invest now? Plus, doesn't analyzing maps support mathematical thinking? Aren't thematic maps just complex visual data sets which require analysis and allow students to apply all that math they've been learning? I submitted a rather long argument to that effect. The jury is still out. But, I have to say that when schools are forced to sacrifice learning in one discipline to "support" learning in another - I think the kids suffer, greatly.
I also just asked for a set of novels for my kids to read. Wonder what that answer will be...
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
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