Curriculum 21 Reading

So, I decided to do my first post of week #3 on the Curriculum reading.  Chapter 10 really stuck out to me.  I think it may be because of the statistics involved.

I guess I never realized how bad the education system is, and how students feel about it.  The statistics I read about were disturbing.  The statistic that stuck out to me was that as many as seventy percent of school-aged youth feel hopeless about the future and disempowerment in their daily lives.  That's an extremely depressing statement.  I also learned that most people in the United States may not be ready to go out in the world and work towards a sustainable future.  This is because they don't have a shared understanding of knowledgable and habits that enable them to do so.  The chapter also stated that there is a decline in graduation rate in the United States high schools.  Urban minorities graduate percentage can get as low as 54.

The chapter got a lot more uplifting, though.  The Cloud Institute Framework for Education for Sustainability looks upon the work of educators from around the world.  The following are a group of schools that I was impressed with in the chapter:

Willow School - They are committed to combining academic excellence and the joy of learning and experiencing the wonder of the natural world.

      *What I liked about the description of this school is that not only are they concerned with academic success, but that they are trying to create a way to make it interesting and fun for their students.  I think it's very important to keep students attention long enough for them to enjoy what they are learning.  A lot of students think teachers are boring, and thus, they aren't paying attention to what's being taught to them.  I also loved the part about students experiencing the wonder of the natural world.  It sounds as though this may also be a very peaceful school to attend.

Cambridge Montessori School - They are self-directed learning for life in a child-centered, international community valuing peace and respect for others.

       *What stuck out about this school was how it says it is self-directed learning for life.  It sounds as though they let the students learn lessons on their own?  That's a guess, of course.  It's also child-centered, so there again is a school that seems to be concerned with the results of their students.  I think it's important that this school values peace and respect for others, because I think those very simple things are sometimes looked past by students.  It's important to have respect for those around you, especially your educators.

St. Paul's Episcopal School (Catholic) - Students are encouraged to strive to do their best, to be humane, and to appreciate the beauty of life.

         *"Students are encouraged to strive to do their best," sounds like they may try to help guide the students in the right direction.  And once again, I really like that there is an emphasis on being a good person, and to appreciate where you come from and who you are.  There's so much more to education than the courses you take.  Educators don't just guide you in the way of education, but they are an influence on how students act and react.