Politics and religion have always been touchy subjects of debate and argument. Several precedent court cases for religion and the separation of it from government sponsored events, buildings, and figures are constantly being contested. The "Religions in Schools" article and the "Gobitas" case both involve strong beliefs and interpretations of religion being used in a school.
The "West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette" set a precedence that students are not required to pledge to the United States flag. Although I feel strongly about our country, freedoms, and what our flag represents, I also feel strong about our great freedoms that we have. Our constitution grants the right to a freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Along with this right, if a student interprets the flag as an idol, they have the freedom to not pledge to it. Having family members who currently serve in the United States military and as a social studies teacher, I will never stop getting goosebumps saluting our flag during the morning announcements each day.
In the "Religions in Schools" article, biologists want to scrap any debate that questions the validity of Darwin's Theory of Evolution. However, many people in society argue that if schools teach evolution, it should also be taught that there is debate to the theory. Because theory is not fact, some states, such as Texas feel that it should be noted in the curriculum and teacher lectures that creationism is another perspective. Just as sociology, geography, and history teachers have the five major world religions in Tennessee textbooks, I feel that alternative views such as creationism should dually be noted in biology textbooks. Although I'm a Christian, I'm not basing my decision upon my own faith. I believe that if the biology teacher explains to the students that multiple ideas and theories exists, as to the creation of mankind. The school is not necessarily promoting a certain religion or pressing a religion on any student, they're simply teaching that on a global basis, a large majority of people believe in creationism and discredit evolution.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Individuals who influenced education (Entry 1)
The innovators and makers of public schools have all propelled ideas that make schools they way they are today. Upon reading the articles on PBS and Gatto, it seems as if the "innovators" of public schools set a foundation for schools, including the duration of the school year and training for teachers. The "makers" proposed ideas to design curriculum that would prepare students for real world application.
Horace Mann is one individual who I feel truly influenced public education. Horace Mann has been dubbed the "father of American education" (1). Mann was one of the first elected official in this nation to push for additional funding to support school buildings, books, and teacher pay. In addition to promoting public support for schooling, he also created the first state board of education. Although some people argue that Mann's motivation to strengthen schools was to improve morals and behaviors of a crime-stricken neighborhood, he's still widely known in the education community as being a strong founder of public education.
Henry Ford is known for his famous quote, "whether you think you can or can't, either way, you're probably right." Henry Ford revolutionized the way Americans traveled. This transformed our country into the country it is today. From the semi-trucks that deliver our food to the grocery stores, to the school buses that transport students into the schools in which we teach, our highway infrastructure all stemmed from Henry Ford's ingenuity. Today, several schools throughout the nation focus on optional vocational schooling programs and many work in unison with local factories and corporations. The students learn real life learning skills and employment is typically lined up with those companies that have reciprocity programs of training. Today, modern schools are geared towards making students prepared for college, and college prepares students for the work force.
References:
1. http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/mann.html
Horace Mann is one individual who I feel truly influenced public education. Horace Mann has been dubbed the "father of American education" (1). Mann was one of the first elected official in this nation to push for additional funding to support school buildings, books, and teacher pay. In addition to promoting public support for schooling, he also created the first state board of education. Although some people argue that Mann's motivation to strengthen schools was to improve morals and behaviors of a crime-stricken neighborhood, he's still widely known in the education community as being a strong founder of public education.
Henry Ford is known for his famous quote, "whether you think you can or can't, either way, you're probably right." Henry Ford revolutionized the way Americans traveled. This transformed our country into the country it is today. From the semi-trucks that deliver our food to the grocery stores, to the school buses that transport students into the schools in which we teach, our highway infrastructure all stemmed from Henry Ford's ingenuity. Today, several schools throughout the nation focus on optional vocational schooling programs and many work in unison with local factories and corporations. The students learn real life learning skills and employment is typically lined up with those companies that have reciprocity programs of training. Today, modern schools are geared towards making students prepared for college, and college prepares students for the work force.
References:
1. http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/mann.html
Introduction
I currently teach 9th grade World Geography. I'm working towards an Ed.S. degree. I've been teaching for five years and love the profession.
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