Commentary: Students Deserve Equal Resources

Every child is entitled to a "Free and Appropriate Education" (FAPE) but is that doesn't mean equal resources.  In 1954 a unanimous decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case ruled segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. So every child receives free education and students from all races and religions are welcome in all classrooms, however, does segregation still exist....through the suburban urban divide?

Many articles discuss the discrepancy between the school funding for the suburban district v. urban district. The discrepancy in these fundings affect the teacher's salary, resources in technology, lack of highly qualified teachers, lack of prep classes such as technology, gym, art, music and library classes, lack of funding from a PTA or local funding, and shortage of school resources; books, curriculum, access to teacher supplies (laminate machines, paper supplies, colored printer).

In the article Improving Comparability Requirements, it is stated, "The current local funding allocation strategy has resulted in a widening education gap that disadvantages poor and minority students". This article goes into the details of the unfair monetary distribution that makes schools unequal. Students shouldn't be penalized or be given a watered-down version of education based on their zip code. A possible solution will be allocating federal money accordingly with giving more money to the districts in need.

Governor Wolf has proposed "to adopt a mechanism designed to help address the problems that led to Pennsylvania's being labeled the most inequitably funded state in the nation." This will allocate more money to those districts in need and help close the education gap.

On a personal note, I see this inequality gap first hand. My children are lucky enough to attend a very small suburban public district where the resources appear to be unlimited. They receive a chrome book to use for the year, offering a language class starting in 7th grade, flexible seating, all sports with a qualified coach, ranked 16th in PA High Schools. It's another story where I teach! I teach in a North Philadelphia charter school where the resources are limited due to funding. Teachers are qualified but make half as much as those in the suburbs. Teachers lack supplies given by the school district so many teachers need to purchase their own supplies. Curriculum and resources are primarily made by the teachers. Students aren't offered the same sports programs like those in the suburbs, nor are they offered the same prep classes. The school I work at doesn't offer technology as a prep!

Honestly, if I didn't work where I work and see what my children receive I probably wouldn't see the educational gap but since I do see it I would like to be apart of the solution. What are your thoughts on this topic?

Resources
"Equal Funding for School Districts." Center for American Progress, 14 Oct. 2008, www.americanprogress.org/issues/education-k-12/news/2008/06/13/4535/equal-funding-for-school-districts-improving-comparability-requirements/.

Klehr, Deborah Gordon. "Pa.'s Budget Must Address Glaring Inequities in School Funding: Opinion." Https://Www.inquirer.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 22 Feb. 2019, www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/tome-worf-pennsylvania-budget-educaion-funding-20190222.html

Guest Blog: Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

Guest Blogger: Dr. Gina Canceilliere, School Psychologist 

Dr. Carol Dweck studied the behavior of the minds of thousands of children and found that their belief about learning can contribute to their achievement. Though many believe that we are born with a certain aptitude, Dr. Dweck believes that with effort, practice, belief, encouragement, and mindset increase our neural growth. 

 Many strategies can help struggling students to develop a Growth Mindset:

• Acknowledge and embrace imperfections - let your students know we all have strengths and weaknesses and this just means we need to put more effort into certain subjects. 

• View Challenges as opportunities - These challenges help students become stronger and resistant. 

• Replace the word 'failing' with the word 'learning' - Promote a warm and nurturing environment for students to struggle

• Reward actions, not traits - Make sure to compliment students for effort not necessarily for just being smart

• Explore the 'Power of Yet'- Let this be your class mantra, it lets students know that with time and effort they will learn

• Use free resources such as Class Dojo Growth Midset series, Mindset Kit, Brainology lessons and materials and Growth Mindset assessment.

Recommended Books

The Growth Mindset Playbook: A Teacher's Guide to Promoting Student Success by Annie Brock and Heather Hundley: Discover best practices for helping all your students realize their potential, and achieve growth mindsets. Includes lesson plan templates and simple strategies for overcoming challenges.

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch it, Shap it by JoAnn Deak, Ph.D.: teaches all the ways that the brain can develop exercise, just like the rest of our bodies, Educator and psychologist Dr. JoAnn Deak offers a fun and engaging introduction to the anatomy and functions of the brain that will empower each young reader to S-T-R-E-T-C-H and grow their fantastic, elastic brain!

[Steve Scott Show](2019, July 20)11 Growth Mindset Strategies-Destroy Your Fixed Mindset mentality!https://youtu.be/g7u6UwtmGyE

Restorative Practices in the Second Grade Classroom

     Second grade is a very exciting time for both the teacher and students. Students are coming into their own as they explore all the wonderful new lessons. However, with each new year comes new conflict among the students in the school and classroom.

Edutopia. (2018, Feb 5). Weekly Circles: Building Community to Foster Academic Achievement

     Our school currently has a school-wide positive behavior support plan to help students follow the behavior norms, however, this doesn't work for all students. Some students need extra attention, flexibility and restorative practices. Restorative practices are new to our school, in fact, the whole school has not been trained in this practice. Some teachers research this on their own and implement it in their own classrooms. This year I would like to implement weekly circle time.

Has anyone implemented restorative practice circle time in their classroom? If not have you heard of this strategy? What are your thoughts?

Introduction - Carrie Flanagan

Greetings,

     My name is Carrie Flanagan and I live with my 3 wonderful children, Allison (18), Alex (16) and Sara (15). We live in Huntingdon Valley, Pa where they all attend Lower Moreland High School. My oldest, Allison just graduated high school and will attend St. Francis University this Fall where she will play women's soccer and enter the nursing program.
     I started the Educational Technology program back in August of 2013 but took some time off in 2016 until 2018 for a life event. I started back in the Spring of 2018 and will graduate in the Fall of 2019 after taking ED TECH Portfolio.
     I have taught as a Special Education teacher for the last 7 years in a North Philadelphia Charter School. Here I've taught 3rd and 4th grade and next year I will be teaching as a 2nd grade English Language Arts General Education teacher.
     Using technology in the classroom increases focus, collaboration, kinesthetic, visual, auditory learning. I am looking forward to setting up a 2nd-grade classroom blog for the students to use to showcase what they are learning and as a communication tool for their parents.