"Family Partnerships That Count" by JoBeth Allen

JoBeth Allen explains that “family involvement was likely to increase student achievement when that involvement was connected to academic learning”. Three important approaches were identified, building respectful relationships, engaging families in supporting learning at home and addressing cultural differences. As you comment on this article please consider the following questions.

What are your current school functions that include all families? Are they connected to academic learning? Are they successful?

What are some of the successful things you have done or seen to improve respectful relationships between families and school? Are you aware of any individual classroom practices that are highly successful that engage families in supporting learning at home?

How does your school support address and support cultural differences?

Do you feel that family social events at schools (like the Mardi Gras Carnival mentioned in the article) have merit? Why? Why not?

Prompted by Beth and Diane

"Decisions That Have Shaped U.S. Education

Lots of "landmark" Supreme Court decisions are detailed in the Zirkel article. Consider the following questions as prompts for you to respond to this article.

Do you agree with the San Antonio v. Rodriguez decision that speaks to "minimum" rather than "equal"? Explain.

Which of the Supreme Court rulings noted in this article will affect you most as a teacher?

What do you think about the New Jersey v. T.L.O. decision?

How is your life as a teacher affected by politics? Care to look to the future by considering the current presidential race?

"The Teacher as a Warm Defender"

Has anyone read this article in the September 2008 issue of Educational Leadership? My principal passed it onto me, thinking it directly connected to our work. It's a very good article and supplies some good references. Karon

Michael Watson: a case study

The assistant principal's evaluation of Michael's class actually questions his teaching style and thereby challenges his philosophy of education.  It seems Michael's teaching style and student rapport are getting in the way of his need to be more demanding.  What do you think?  Is Michael right?  Or is Alan right?  Consider Michael's strengths and challenges.  How might they affect your positions here? 

"The Engaged Classroom"

Sam Intrator offers us somewhat of an ethnographic study from his 130 day shadowing experience in a CA high school. Think back to your high school days while you construct a response for this reading. Would you say your HS time was engaged or disengaged? What were characteristics of the classroom environment? Were some teachers "stand outs"? What made them so? How did some teachers bring energy into the classroom? Is this a "current issue"? How might you use this information professionally?

"A Tale of Two Schools"

Please offer your comments regarding Cuban's presentation of two "good" schools that reflect very different structures.  In this article, traditionalists and progressives offer us separate lenses through which we might consider what role schools ought to play in our society.  Here are a few questions that might help guide your responses:

1. Do you think Cuban's criteria for judging schools might ever conflict?

2. Can you add to Cuban's 'list' of "democratic values"?

3. Consider the current social milieu, that being a national presidential election.  Is it possible that both these schools can substantively advocate for democratic values?  Might there be an intractable difference regarding the interpretation of democratic values?

"Metaphors of Hope" by M. B. Chenfeld

Please offer your comments regarding Chenfeld's challenge to go beyond the negative and pessimistic media coverage of American classrooms and instead celebrate the many positive classrooms built on respect, caring, corporation, and support. Also consider how Chenfeld's message relates to Noddings' thesis.

1. What do you see as the ultimate benefit of Tom's 'town meetings'?

2. Would you use 'town meetings'?  Why?  Why not?

Why is it difficult for Cathy to articulate the strategies and methods behind her caring and supportive classroom community?

3. Please include your thoughts regarding the consulting work of Cole.