Chapter 2: Today's Students

How does SES affect students?

An SES is the socioeconomic status of a family. It is a composition of economic status of families or persons on the basis of occupation, educational attainment, and income. Students are distinguished by their families income and wealth which leads to popularity and availibility to help and funds to improve learning. Children of low income families rarely go onto college becasue of the lack of smarts and funds to pay for tuition. When they are so low in income, parents rarely have time or interest to help whereas children in the middle class do better becasue they know they are loved. Their parents often ask about their work and try to improve their lives. Teachers need not stereotype students because of income and SES status becasue some will break the mold and go to college in a succeeding manner. I was raised in the middle class and my parents lived paycheck by paycheck, but always put in effort into helping me with my homework and such to asure success in my life.

Chapter 5:The History of Schools in the US

Education has changed greatly since the first school, the Boston Latin School opened in 1635. During that time period schooling was in outlet to teach children to read, write and be good citizens. Overtime, we've learned that different children learn in different ways and setup the free adn universal education system so that those with low income have no issues sending their children to school becasue afterall it is the right of the child to be able to learn. The schools were broken up into groups, where the common school was founded by Horace man in the 1830-1840's and then the charity school. Mann wanted to mix the social classes so that there was no discrimination; his schools are the "native" schools and are supported by the tax payers. A charity school is a Head Start where low-income families get to send their child with little or no cost and help from the state. Throughout the process of getting a firm education built we have had many setbacks including religious and racial battles on schooling that have been brought to the court system. Overall, eduation has evolved into a great workforce with many helping hands along the way.

While sorting through the changes of education, we jumped into many debates, some of more complexity than others. The first debate we ran into was the right of indivuals and power. I have equal oppurtunity so we should be treated equal which gives everyone the right to education including different religions, races, etc. The next debate we came across in the reading was, is there really a purpose to High School? We should be completely developed by the end of grammar school. Although after WWII the majority finished High School with a diploma in hand. And then of course there was the debate of the perfect teacher. We see this teacher who is perfect, but sometimes in our imperfections we find perfection.