Educational Disparity - Section 1 of Reading

This reading was fascinating from beginning to end. It was interesting to view how schools have developed over the years, and why these developments occurred. The reasoning behind mandatory schooling, school size, etc. are things that I have never learned about.  The real reasoning behind these policies has certainly provided insight into the policies, themselves.

Mandatory schooling was not originally designed with the sole purpose of universal education. There were two other major thoughts behind this development. Another major reason for this change was to ensure that school aged kids were not being rowdy throughout our cities. This is one of the more obvious reasons for mandatory schooling, but there was another reason that your average American would never think of. Students were forced to attend school in the wake of Child Labor Laws. This was done both to protect children from the harsh factory work and to prevent children from competing with adults for these jobs. (Costello 195)

The idea of larger schools was not intended to defer from the education of the students. This idea was designed with a focus on lowering costs and raising the number of resources each school could have. Instead this has lead to a lack of connection between teachers and students. As classrooms have grown larger students have been given less and less of a say in what occurs within these classrooms. It would take a dedicated group of administrators to ensure that a community can be built within these larger schools, and while this is possible it is improbable. The smaller schools are producing the largest number of active learners because the size of the school allows for students to be integrated in their learning.

School based management is an interesting idea that Costello writes about. This is an idea where instead of having large school departments make decisions for many schools, schools are able to focus on their own needs. This school centered management system is an amazing idea that could allow for individual schools to receive exactly what they need. This idea is great for students because they will receive the help that they need base don their school, not based on the general needs of a school district.  

One of Costello’s more interesting arguments is his look at segregation of schools base don age and ability. This is something that makes sense but also an idea that I struggle with. Costello argues that students would learn better by being more integrated based on ability and age in classrooms. But this is so contrary to the standard of our society that I cannot imagine actually seeing this in a school. Costello identifies peer mentoring and tutoring as related to this, but this is not truly what he is referring to. I wonder what other people think of this idea? 

Criticism within schools is typically reserved for teacher to student. But Costello believes strongly in the idea that students should be given an opportunity to work with teacher and administration to improve their educational experience. This is a very child centered approach to education because it allows for the honest input of students. Teacher and administrators can understand only a portion of the academic experience of their students. Students know what they and their fellow students need and are able to share this knowledge, but they need to be asked.  

Youth workers must understand the importance of providing youth an opportunity to be involved in the programs that they are involved in. Students have amazing insight into the interests of their fellow youth and they must be given a chance to aid in program planning. Those who work with youth are often constrained by the rules of administrators. But when able to operate individually youth organizations can do amazing things for the specific population that they work with. Every group of youth are different and therefore programs must be designed for the individual. Providing youth an opportunity to plan and criticize is absolutely necessary for their develop into adulthood. Having an opportunity to do these things will allow youth a unique opportunity to take charge of something that matters to them.