PARCC GLITCH TESTS LOCAL SCHOOLS
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During my senior year at Millburn High School the
board of education enacted a new series of standardized tests, the PARCC tests,
that would replace teacher administered finals. As a lazy senior a was
thrilled with this new policy because these tests were not calculated into
grades and tended to be far easier than tests composed by Millburn teachers.
From an educational perspective, however, this largely eliminates student's
incentive to study and master the material.
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Because fewer students see the reasoning for the
tests, more and more have begun to utilize the test refusal or opt- out clause
presented by the PARCC association. The school system looking into ways
to provide incentives for students to participate as they are important for
school and teacher evaluations.
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The burden of this problem falls more on the upper
level school officials, the board of education, and on the teachers. With
many students choosing to opt out of these finals, results from these test can
be extremely skewed. This makes teacher evaluations far more difficult
while boosting student grades.
SHE SEEKS TO REDUCE STUDENT STRESS
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CD1ACA2A73FB20?p=AWNB
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Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford
University's Graduate School of Education, and the lead author of
"Overloaded and Underprepared: Strategies for Stronger Schools and
Healthy, Successful Kids" recently visited Millburn High School to discuss
the effects of stress and sleep deprivation. While Millburn has been praised
as one of the top public schools in the country, students often complain about
the extremely competitive and rigorous work environment.
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With so many smart and driven kids coming out
of each graduating class, competition for placement in higher education has
never been more intense. Students are forced to load their schedule with
rigorous classes and extracurricular in order to stand out from the crowd.
Pope argues that this mindset is unhealthy and actually leads to a
decrease in performance quality and many mental heath illnesses.
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This problem largely falls on high school
students who are pushing themselves to their physical and mental limits on a
regular basis.
TOWN SPLIT OVER SCHOOLS - INSTITUTES WANT SPACE
AT MHS
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The Millburn Board of Education has been
deliberating over whether to rent out high school classrooms to private
institutions like a Chinese school for weekend and summer classes. The
proposals outlined by two different Chinese language institutions are larger
than any the school system has received.
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While the potential revenue from this programs can
be significant for the school system there has been concern over the increased
traffic and availability of parking. Particularly with church services
going on at the same time up the street, it may make it difficult for residence
to get in and out of down town. This would also require the school to pay
utility and custodial costs during weekend hours.
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Much of the negative aspects that the board is
considering revolve around the town's residence. They are worried this
traffic increase and decrease in parking will hurt commuters and local
businesses.
Gentrification and “tiny houses”: big problems
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This article describes the construction and renovation
of properties surrounding the University of Florida campus. The author
argues that efforts to maximize the physical land while maintaining historical
structures has resulting in huge rent and gentrification in the area.
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As more students look for convenient housing
surrounding campus, prices have inflated driving lower income, local families
out of the area. This disturbs the authenticity and character of local
neighborhoods.
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Increasing rent prices hurt any resident
looking to buy or rent a home close to the UF campus. It also hurts business
owners who are forced to pay inflated prices and face a shrinking clientele
base as people are unable to afford convenient housing.
Students in Fletcher living with mold, no
comment from UF officials
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In Fletcher Hall and across the University of
Florida campus students have been facing problems with mold. Particularly in
Fletcher hall, rooms, clothes and bedding have become overrun with mold. The
University attributes it to the climate and old historical buildings but has
yet to offer a solution.
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The mold has become a significant problem for
residents, spreading to personal belongings like clothes and bedding. This can
result in significant health and respiratory issues.
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Residents of Fletcher hall were the main people
affected by the outbreak. However, the article mentions the possibility
of mold in other residence halls.
It may not be significant, but I have noticed how all of your stories are relevant to school and education. From my viewpoint, there is a lot of focus on towards what is being invested into the students of today, and how modern society is affecting them (even us as gators). Looking at your stories, I believe that it has become evident as to how the current events of the educational world affects us students, such as how we learn, how finances come into play, how American schooling can affect our everyday lives, and even health-wise.
ReplyDeleteHi Zach,
ReplyDeleteLike Marcus stated, it was great to see a recurring trend in all of your stories. School issues happen every day and all across the country, but it seems like there is less and less focus on the education of our country's children.
Your last story about the mold completely shocked me. This kind of atrocity to these people should not be seen at a school who they pay, and who makes hundreds of millions of dollars every year from their students. Without proper care and the costs of ridding this mold, UF could potentially be paying medical costs and covering suit for potential health problems these students may have. That kind of law suit could be astounding.
The second article that caught my eye is the article about student stress. Pope is right, students overload their capability and cause themselves to do poorly in classes they could have spaced out if they had felt less pressure to take them on. This can cause mental breakdowns and certain irreparability in the minds of students. It is neither safe nor healthy.
Enjoyed some of your articles!
ReplyDelete