Comments on: Off the Tracks http://brettberk.com/2009/06/16/off-the-tracks/ Sat, 12 May 2012 04:46:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: BTDT http://brettberk.com/2009/06/16/off-the-tracks/comment-page-1/#comment-1024 BTDT Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:20:46 +0000 http://brettberk.com/2009/06/16/off-the-tracks/#comment-1024 I usually completely agree with you, but on this one I have to respectfully disagree: it is all well and good in theory, but in practice, academic intervention is needed for the kids who are outliers -- every child deserves to learn everyday and having been the one in the group charged with "teaching" what I knew to the others, I have to say, resentment of that position mounts fairly quickly if one is repeatedly cast in the surrogate teacher role. Curriculum differentiation is not consistent or well managed in the elementary grades, even at our well respected General Ed public, so the individual's education, in this case, was sacrificed for the ideal of a greater good -- it made me hate school, a place where I was often bored with the excruciatingly slow pace and repetition, to the point where I became psychosomatically ill to avoid it. Once in a "tracked" class, I never had one of those headaches or stomachaches again and finally enjoyed being a student. It may work for others, but having the option to track literally saved me from checking out totally. Many kids who are bright, quick learners become "at risk" well before the opportunity to excel presents in middle or high school tracking -- as a high school teacher, I saw many who were ready to drop out. Not challenging young kids creates underachievers of some of the smartest kids. My own son was acting out in class until we tracked him: now, he loves school and is so excited to learn. The well meaning Gen Ed teacher did not know how to differentiate well for him and he basically attended school solely for socialization for one year -- a valuable learning experience, but learning how to daydream instead of fidget is not my idea of a good strategy. He was checking out already at age 5! I am grateful for the teacher who urged me to track him; it may be out of fashion or seem undemocratic, but for my child and for me, it was the best choice we could make. I usually completely agree with you, but on this one I have to respectfully disagree: it is all well and good in theory, but in practice, academic intervention is needed for the kids who are outliers — every child deserves to learn everyday and having been the one in the group charged with “teaching” what I knew to the others, I have to say, resentment of that position mounts fairly quickly if one is repeatedly cast in the surrogate teacher role. Curriculum differentiation is not consistent or well managed in the elementary grades, even at our well respected General Ed public, so the individual’s education, in this case, was sacrificed for the ideal of a greater good — it made me hate school, a place where I was often bored with the excruciatingly slow pace and repetition, to the point where I became psychosomatically ill to avoid it. Once in a “tracked” class, I never had one of those headaches or stomachaches again and finally enjoyed being a student. It may work for others, but having the option to track literally saved me from checking out totally. Many kids who are bright, quick learners become “at risk” well before the opportunity to excel presents in middle or high school tracking — as a high school teacher, I saw many who were ready to drop out. Not challenging young kids creates underachievers of some of the smartest kids. My own son was acting out in class until we tracked him: now, he loves school and is so excited to learn. The well meaning Gen Ed teacher did not know how to differentiate well for him and he basically attended school solely for socialization for one year — a valuable learning experience, but learning how to daydream instead of fidget is not my idea of a good strategy. He was checking out already at age 5! I am grateful for the teacher who urged me to track him; it may be out of fashion or seem undemocratic, but for my child and for me, it was the best choice we could make.

]]> By: admin http://brettberk.com/2009/06/16/off-the-tracks/comment-page-1/#comment-1022 admin Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:10:46 +0000 http://brettberk.com/2009/06/16/off-the-tracks/#comment-1022 @Tom Gratch College @Tom Gratch

College

]]> By: Tom Gratch http://brettberk.com/2009/06/16/off-the-tracks/comment-page-1/#comment-1021 Tom Gratch Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:07:07 +0000 http://brettberk.com/2009/06/16/off-the-tracks/#comment-1021 I appreciate your kibbutz-inspired social sentimentality, but where does my child go to develop a network of like-minded, wealthy, elites? Jeez. I appreciate your kibbutz-inspired social sentimentality, but where does my child go to develop a network of like-minded, wealthy, elites? Jeez.

]]>