It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . . .

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . . .

This statement describes just what it is like in today’s world of teaching, learning and education.  There are parts of education that are great, something to be proud of, such as, the use of technology, effective teachers and appropriate interventions.  But there are also parts that are not so great, things we are overwhelmed and stressed by.   More and more responsibilities being passed down to teachers, tougher kids, struggling families and diminishing test scores round out some of the challenges.

Response to reading:

            After reading Marzano’s article, What Works in Schools, I learned all about the criticisms of years past in the educational system.  He writes about how in previous studies, it has been found that schools have done little to lesson achievement gaps and that student achievement is mainly a function of student background.  While this may have been true in the past, I do not feel it is an accurate portrayal of our current system.  The educational system may still struggle with achievement gaps, but I think that effective schools work very hard to help kids overcome their backgrounds.  Every year I see kids who come from struggling homes and families and yet they manage to achieve amazing things at school, academically and socially.  They are the kids who we see them and say, “I don’t know how they did it!”

            Marzano goes on to write about how the system can have a tremendous impact on student achievement if we follow the direction research points us in. The difference is that effective schools provide interventions designed to overcome student backgrounds.  How do schools become effective?  One way is for the organization to include shared decision-making and delegated authority.  Marzano also writes that there are three factors affecting student achievement: schools, teachers and students.  I completely agree with this idea.  I think a lot of factors go into why a student may or may not achieve and that it cannot be based simply on one factor. 

            Overall, I feel that the educational system is at a fork in the road.  Do we want to continue down the road that leads to frustration, teacher burnout and lack of achievement or do we want to go down the road research directs us too?  The one filled with effective schools, happy staff and high student achievement.  I know which one I choose . . . .