Public Education

In the past few decades school has shifted its focus from education to fashion. Students are judged upon their shoes or jeans rather than their knowledge. Uniforms in the public education system is a great idea, not only is it cost effective, but also it gives the students a chance to concentrate on their studies and not have to worry about what to wear tomorrow. Plus the crime or violence rate drops in schools that have a uniform policy, and those that do not belong on campus are spotted quicker and easier.

Private schools ave already adopted this idea as well as some schools in England and Australia. Early morning or late evening fights over what is allowed to be worn to school could come to an end if uniforms are issued in the public The kids that come from lower class level backgrounds are the kids out there selling drugs and committing the crimes, but the money made goes to buy the latest designer jeans, just so that they are “cool” at school. A difference in the violence on school grounds has decreased in areas were school uniforms are mandatory.

Gang activity is not as high because the students can not show their colors or signs at school. Sgt. Joe Battle, a Long Beach, California juvenilia officer states that, “uniforms take away the No. 1 reason that kids treat each other differently; how they look” (Ritter, 1A). Long Beach was the first public school in the nation to have mandatory school uniform policy. The crime rate there is down 76 percent, and assaults on school property is also down by 85 percent (Starr,1). One of the reasons behind the sudden change in school policy has to do with the recent school hootings.

The most famous and talked about one was the Columbine High School. The two teens were able to bring in weapons to the school under trench coats. With uniforms this could have been prevented, because long coats are not to be worn in the school. Even the President of the United States is moving to the uniform policy. President Clinton has given speeches during his State of the Union address including that uniforms keep kids, ” from killing each other over designer jackets” (Ritter, 1A). The way that the kids are dressed is more important than the grades they make.

The students are able to focus on the education rather than someone else’s new clothes. Parents that were not too sure of the idea agree that there are more positives than negatives to wearing uniforms. The students are less distracted and can concentrate on the teacher. Students admit that having everyone wear the same thing is easier on them. No one worries about whether or not they wore something last week or that they don’t have the name brand labels to flash around. Kids that can’t afford the name brands are the ones with the lower test scores and poorer attendance.

The cost of uniforms in comparison to the latest fashion is ridiculous. For what it would cost to buy a major household appliance, two or three of the latest designer outfits can be bought. The students who don’t have the money to buy all the newest clothes tend not to go to class as much because they feel they don’t fit in. It used to be that the kids that wore the K-Mart or Wal-Mart brand of clothes were thought of as uncool. Uniforms don’t only bring down the cost of clothes for the parents, but the school spirit is higher and the students feel a sense of unity.

The line between the poor and rich kids is brought down, the students can no longer tease on another because of their clothes as they are all dressed the same. Administrators can spot a person who does not belong on campus faster and easier if they a don’t have a school uniform on. Uniforms can be bought at almost any clothing store. Prices range from $5-$7 for shirts, $10 for shorts and pants and $7 for a jumper. Now compare that to $30-$80 for jeans and$15-$30 for a shirt. Majority of parents only buy two or three uniforms a school year

Students all dressed the same that is the whole idea. But there some negative aspects of this area. Psychologist Ruth Rubinstein at the Fashion Institute of New York argues that having students dress alike decreases their sense of expression or creativity. Although students can express themselves in the classroom or even wear different socks. Some days are specified for the optional dress down, where the children can wear what ever they would like. If the students have to wear uniforms then so should the teachers and staff.

How can the students be expected t follow the teachers lead if they are not in uniforms as well? This makes the whole school equal and the principles’ job easier for enforcing the dress code. Some schools do have strict dress codes if a not a uniform policy. Students must wear clothing that is appropriate for a learning environment. No sleeveless shirts or offense slang or short, shorts are not allowed. Students that do not follow the rules could be suspended. Schools could go as far as to not allow skirts to be worn. Some schools have an optional uniform policy.

Most parents and students choose to wear uniforms because of At the moment many public schools are only using uniforms under a voluntary basis. With this system they hope to increase awareness of the benefits that these uniforms hold. These uniforms will help to lower budgets, school violence and help students become more accepted among their peers. Fatal accidents could be avoided with the use of uniforms in the public school system. It is not just a fast growing trend to make the school look better, but also a way to increase the chances of a more secure learning environment.

Home Schooling vs Public Education Ann Brickler COM/155 University Compostion and Communication I March 10, 2013 Stephanie Cook Home Schooling vs Public Education The debate continues and often will turn into heated arguments between the two opposing sides. The side of the fence that you choose is ultimately your decision on what type of education your child receives. Homeschooling may have many benefits, a public school education may provide a better learning environment for a student to learn and succeed.

There are so many forms of education that a person may receive today with two of the forms as home schooling and public education. There are some benefits to the individual of home schooling, such as being able to learn on your own time and having one-on-one instruction. Child safety is a pro for the parent as they are not having to worry about bullying in school and not having their child exposed to drugs or alcohol by their peers. There are also pros and cons of public education with the pros being the child is receiving an education from a professionally trained teacher.

They are better prepared in everyday teachings that the child will receive. The curriculum is outlined for the year on what the child will be taught and what is expected to be taught to the child by way of a school board developing the curriculum. Children are also learning on how to socialize with other children and realizing on how diverse a world we have. The cons of home schooling outweigh what some people believe as a benefit. One being that the parent is not a professional teacher such as English or music class. The parent does not have the technique in giving their child a quality and prolific education.

Another con is the student is not being exposed to a diverse environment. The child is not able to grow with their peers and associate themselves with reality and what is out there on the streets that children have to deal with when they are in a public school setting. Child safety can be a con in public education with what has recently been happening with the shootings in schools and bullying by other children. You should not shelter a child because of the cons as this is something that can be dealt with while growing up. Children learn how to deal with issues such as these and grow more because of them.

Another con is the standardized testing that children are expected each year to take at the beginning of each school year. This test gives the school board a better concept on where each child is in their learning grade. It also is one factor on whether a child will move ahead in their grade level in the fifth and eighth grade. Children are tested and quizzed weekly in their classes and that determination in itself will give each teacher a concept on what the child is retaining and whether they should move along in each grade level. Socialization for home schooled children as an individual or a group can be a challenge for them.

Public schooled children have a better advantage to them when they are put in a group together to socialize amongst themselves relating to a topic they may be learning about in their class or to do a project together. They are able to gather ideas and listen to other ideas which enable more learning for them. When you are home schooled the only type of socialization in a group you are going to have is with either your sibling or with your parent. That can be a good thing only if that child is a type of introvert and has a difficult time relating to others in a traditional school setting.

There are homeschool groups that you can join with your child to meet other parents and children, but there may not be many of these groups out there for you to select from as there are children whom are more likely to receive a public education. Another advantage the child in a public school has is being able to play in sports that are offered. The home schooled child does not have that offered to them. A child who is home schooled can request to join a sports team in their school district but that does not always work for them. The district can say no to them joining a school sport.

A public school child can join a school sport at any time it is offered; however, they are expected to maintain a grade point average of a C. If they do not, they are suspended from the team if they are involved or denied completely from trying out for the team. Public school provides a more diverse and social experience in contrast to homeschooling. Parents whom are homeschooling their children should be qualified to teach as a public schoolteacher. A public school education can be much more fulfilling and gives children the tools they need to succeed.

Socialization and interaction with other children is a benefit to any child to help them learn and grow with others in their age group. Home schooled children may not be susceptible to drugs and alcohol or school bullying but sometimes the risks outweigh these factors. There is no testing done by the district of the home schooled child and to know exactly where they are in their grade level. Standardized testing does aide the district for public school children but is essentially given at the beginning of a school year where it can be a misleading statistic on what the child in a public school does know by the end of the school year.

Whether you choose to send your child to a public school or teach them on your own, be sure that you have the proper tools to do this. Your child’s future depends on you and the education they receive. Overall, the knowledge the child gains and the scores they receive between the two, home schooling and public education has each of its own benefits and each of its own drawbacks. As long as the student’s needs are being met, regardless the choice you make for your children, whether it be home schooling or public education, either type of teaching will be the best choice because you made the choice.

Educator George Washington Carver one time stated, “ Education is the key to unlock the aureate door of freedom ” ( State University 2002 ) . Such key will ne’er be held by the manus of Ecuadorians as the state of Ecuador battles to supply a satisfactory instruction system to kids in rural countries. The hapless instruction system is a cardinal subscriber to Ecuador ‘s province as a underdeveloped state. This restricting factor has created a barbarous rhythm of kid labourers and inequality among kids in rural and urban communities ( Salazar and Glashinovich 1996 ) . This paper will supply an in depth analysis of the instruction systems in Ecuador and the reform required to supply kids with a better hereafter. Ecuador ‘s substandard instruction system is a effect of the deficiency of authorities support towards substructure and handiness. With the deficiency of money towards instruction, jobs such as inconsistent instruction, hapless attending, and inequalities between rural and urban scho

1ols arise. Attempted advancement has been made by reformers such as President Rafael Correa who works with authorities support to better school systems ( Bellettini 2004 ) . It is people like President Rafael Correa who are undoubtably the greatest beginning of hope to the instruction system of Ecuador.

Last April, I travelled to Ecuador with Canada World Youth. The intent of the trip was to organize a partnership between the Canadian and Ecuadorian pupils. The trip provided me with a cross-cultural experience as I learnt the necessity of foreign for rural instruction. Our group of 14 pupils raised $ 10,000 which was used to patronize the instruction of 4 pupils in Ecuador including their high school fees.

The neglecting instruction system instated in rural Ecuadorian communities is faced with legion issues affecting, inconsistent instruction, and hapless attending. These issues are presented due to the deficiency of authorities support and support for instruction. The jobs presently present in Ecuador make it hard for Ecuadorians to go comfortable and contribute to society. Political instability within the state ‘s ain boundary lines have invited violent protests refering the old three democratically elected presidents ( Lopez and Valdes 2000 ) . Political issues every bit good as the economic crisis have proved to foster the potency of reconstructing proper and effectual instruction patterns in rural Ecuador.

Many societal establishments demand governmental support, but it is the instruction system in Ecuador that is the most despairing. Research workers have highlighted that the instruction system has easy been bettering since the 1990 ‘s ( Vos and Ponce 2004 ) . Although, in comparing to old decennaries, the educational development has decreased in effectivity while educational inequalities has drastically grown between the urban and rural communities. The Ecuadorian authorities has set aside deficient financess for their societal plans as they entirely contribute four per centum of the states Gross Domestic Product, compared to the mean 12 per centum that the general Latin American state invested ( Ibid 2004 ) . Not merely has the Ecuadorian authorities neglected financess for the necessary societal plans but they have besides transferred their focal point to societal protection plans. This transportation of precedences has cut the support for instruction plans by 50 per centum ( Cibilis, Giugale and Lopez-Calix 2003 ) . The budget cut has affected all school systems across Ecuador, particularly the Ru

2ral communities. The limited support has caused a lessening in school substructure, teacher salary, and teacher preparation plans. The school systems are enduring and necessitate more investing and greater reform schemes. The authorities must increase their investing to at least five per centum of the state ‘s Gross Domestic Product in Oder to be successful ( Schiefelbein 1992 ) .

In 2007, President Correa was elected to office in Ecuador. He created a platform that believed in instruction excellence and instruction reform ( Economist 2009 ) . Since 2007, Correa has spent about $ 280 million on school substructure and care ( Ibid 2009 ) . In add-on the President has introduced logic trials which instructors must go through in order to educate the young person. These logic trials are designed to increase a instructor ‘s credibleness and ability to teach immature pupils ( Ibid 2009 ) . Those who do non go through the logic trials are required to take a twelvemonth long preparation class which will assist to develop their instruction schemes and cognition. The logic trials benefit the school systems as instructors become more prepared and have more effectual instruction methods. These trials will be a compulsory step for all instructors, and will shortly increase the quality of Ecuador ‘s public instruction system.

The deficiency of authorities investing towards societal plans, specifically instruction systems has greatly inf

3luenced handiness, learning methods, and school substructure. The rural communities are far more underprivileged so the urban public schools in Ecuador. In rural parts and in most parts of Latin America, instructors are likely to be under qualified and uneffective at teaching. Similarly to Ecuador, 40 to fifty of Latin American instructors have no professional preparation or makings ( Schiefelbein 1992 ) . The deficiency of preparation and makings is a consequence of hapless support and investing by the authorities. Training plans and workshops are non available to all instructors particularly those in the rural communities. In Latin America, people who graduate with higher degrees of instructions tend to travel to the urbanised metropoliss and obtain comfortable occupations ( Schiefelbein 1995 ) . Sadly, those who have hapless degrees of instruction, become instructors. Teacher ‘s with no preparation and limited cognition dictate the quality of a school. Furthermore, the learning population in Ecuador earn low wages as the authorities does non believe that instructors merit higher wages ( Schiefelbein 1992 ) . A typical public school teacher in rural Ecuador by and large earns $ 350 per month ( Torres 2005 ) . Teachers make an insufficient wage because there is limited support. Without support and low wages, most teachers at the public school degree have two or more occupations to pay for their fundss. Multiple occupations on the spell, means that instructors sometimes neglect to demo up to teach. The Foundation for Sustainable Development claims that there is a high rate of absenteeism among instructors ( 16 per centum ) ” ( FSD 2003 ) . With instructors absent from categories 16 per centum of the clip during the scholastic twelvemonth, pupils are losing important acquisition chances. Most of the instructors absent for that clip would be working at other occupations seeking to derive a greater income. The quality of learning in rural Ecuador and in the public system is really low as the instructors are under qualified and largely disinterested in instruction.

Although some instructors are effectual, the huge bulk of those effectual instructors are accepted to learn at private schools. Private schools in Ecuador have the money unlike public schools to afford exemplarily instructors. Unfortunately for the public system, qualified instructors escape to the private schools wh

4ere their wages are frequently five to ten times higher so the populace system ( Schiefelbein 1995 ) ” The typical school is unable to engage extremely skilled instructors and will happen it hard to implement inventions to better its educational quality ” ( Schiefelbein 1992: 36 ) . The methods of direction are unequal in states like Ecuador. Unfortunately due to budget restraints, instructors do non hold entree to a course of study to assist better their lesson programs. Without a common course of study to be followed by all public schools, the acquisition becomes inconsistent and unequal between different schools and parts ( Schiefelbein 1992 ) . Simple accomplishments that involve reading, composing, comprehension are hard to accomplish in rural Ecuador ( Ibid 1992 ) . Teacher ‘s do non posses the necessary certificates and stuffs to learn these kids, as the authorities neglects them of the necessary resources.

With limited support invested in instruction, many effects arise with improper learning methods between schools in rural Ecuador. The greatest effect of hapless instruction is the rate of pupil repeat. In Latin America, merely 19 per centum of nine twelvemonth olds attend schools, but about 50 per centum of the first class pupils repeat as they are unable to carry through the instructor ‘s demands ( Schiefelbein 1992 ) . The state of Ecuador would drastically profit if more money was invested into increasing the quality of learning as it would diminish the rate of pupil repeat. Repeating a class is non merely reeling the pupil ‘s ability to larn and affect themselves in the work force but it besides posses monolithic affects on the educational system financially. In rural Ecuador, repeat is two times higher so the states average ( Ibid 1992 ) . If the Ecuadorian g

5overnment were to put more money in to developing an accessible course of study for all instructors, repeat rates would diminish.

The Ecuadorian public school system posses many jobs for people in rural communities. The incompatibility in learning methods are followed by widespread hooky as parents would instead direct their kid to work every bit opposed to inscribing them in a rural school. Limited entree to schools and excess pupil costs for those in rural Ecuador are some of the major factors that affect registration rates and attending. There are huge differences and unfairnesss that are noticeable when comparing urban and rural instruction systems. Although public instruction is free for kids ages five to fifteen old ages old, enrollment rates suffer drastically in rural communities. In urban developed countries, kids have an norm of 12 old ages of schooling while kids from rural Ecuador merely have an norm of four old ages ( Cibilis et al. 2003 ) . Of those kids who had four old ages of schooling, merely 19 per centum of the entire rural population is enrolled in school compared to eighty per centum of the entire urban population ( Ibid 2003 ) . Education unfairnesss are besides impacting those kids who wish to go to higher instruction degrees as merely two per centum of the poorest quantile attend higher instruction ( Ibid 2003 ) . The Ecuadorian authorities must larn how to scatter their support every bit among communities so that instruction patterns and handiness is the same for every kid.

One of the most common grounds for the deficiency of registration, is due to school handiness. Although the Correo authorities is get downing to put more in school substructure and care there are still minimum public schools available for kids in rural countries ( Economist 2009 ) . “ Merely 42 % of kids among those in the poorest quantile have entree to preschool instruction ” ( Cibilis et al. 2003: 271 ) . There is perceptibly more chance for preschool instruction in urban communities as they are given a higher precedence over rural public instruction. Coincidentally there are more kids in rural Ecuador who need public instruction than urban countries.

The unequal funding and hapless handiness to public schools for those populating in rural Ecuador posse major determinations on parents. They frequently have to make up one’s mind whether or non to inscribe their kids due to fiscal restrictions. Although Ecuador promises to function the populace with free instruction there are still excess costs that are non covered by the authorities. With restricted financess, households have trouble paying for uniforms, school supplies, and transit ( Vos and Ponce 2004 ) . The indirect costs linked to the deficiency of authorities investing are a considerable decrease in household income because the kid is no longer working ( Ibid 2004 ) . Many households in rural Ecuador are faced with the hard determination on whether to direct their

6 kid to school or hold them work. With more authorities support towards public instruction, parents would non hold to pay excess costs for school. Therefore, parents would be more inclined to inscribe their kids to go educated.

Although it is apparent that the rural instruction system in Ecuador is despairing for money and seems slightly incapacitated, there are reform patterns taking topographic point that are proven to be effectual. Presently in Mexico, instruction reform is taking topographic point that could be implemented in to Ecuador ‘s instruction system. Education reform known as “ Telesecondary ” would be movable and an effectual agencies of reform in rural Ecuador. Telesecondary is a learning scheme that delivers greater instruction through new engineerings. It consists of utilizing computing machines, cyberspace and mass media ( Cibilis et al. 2003 ) . The pupils larning from this advanced instruction method distance themselves from the teacher. The chief intent of Thursday

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7is reform is to give all kids the ability to larn at their ain gait with a structured and dependable beginning of information ( Cibilis et al. 2003 ) . Another recommendation and applicable instruction reform scheme would be following the theoretical account of the “ Escuela Nueva ” . The Escuela Nueva undertaking is presently being practiced in Mexico. Escuela Nueva is community based which focuses chiefly on active engagement, and concerted acquisition ( Schiefelbein 1992 ) . The undertaking helps kids larn critical life accomplishments by using their cognition learnt in category to the outside community. This theoretical account of instruction responds straight to the instruction challenges that are presently present in Ecuador. It helps to extinguish hapless educational substructure, repeat rates, and under qualified instructors. The Escuela Nueva plans help schools to accomplish a standardised course of study, better instructor preparation and greater community engagement.

Once portion of the Northern Inca Empire, Ecuador has suffered a riotous yesteryear. Such is exemplified as the state has faced hapless administration and instability of fundamental laws as they have merely late imposed their twentieth fundamental law since 1830 ( State University 2002 ) . However, the greatest job to confront the state is that of instruction. The hapless instruction system is a cardinal subscriber to Ecuador ‘s province as a underdeveloped state. Ecuador ‘s substandard instruction system is a effect of inconsistent instruction, hapless attending, and the nonobservance of minority groups. Progress has been attempted by reformer President Correa who has concentrated 1000000s of dollars on breaking instruction in Ecuador. Undeniably, it is he w

8ho serves as the greatest beginning of hope to the instruction system of Ecuador. Although the President and his authorities have made much advancement during his two-term reign, there are many stairss to be taken to make declaration, including the riddance of child labour. Subsequently such extended instruction jobs are followed by the changeless conflict with child labour in add-on to hapless economic patterns. It is educational reform which will take to the development of Ecuador as its citizens become literate and receive extra chances, such as occupations, thereby decreasing poorness ( Bellettini 2004 ) . Education may be the job, but it is besides the solution to increase Ecuador ‘s patterned advance to go a developed state.