Monthly Archives: February 2012

History of Special Education in the United States

  By Princess | February 23, 2012 - 10:03 am | education, Education in the US
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The Special Education programs in the U.S.A. were mandated by the United States Congress in 1975 while passing on a federal law called the Education for all Handicapped Children Act to address the prejudice acts made by public educational organizations against individuals with disabilities. The federal law was renamed as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to strengthen its mission in protecting the people with disabilities. However, let’s take a look on the significant timeline of IDEA before its mandatory.

 

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, addressed a campaign in the Congress in 1963 for the need to develop the state’s local facilities, to provide more funds on doing further research on disabilities and to educate the citizens on how to handle children with disabilities. However, the campaign was not pursued because the president’s assassination in the same year.

 

Following his death, J. Kennedy’s sister- Eunice Kennedy Shriver was able to commence the Special Olympics (the leading sports organization for the people with disabilities which provides constant trainings and competitions to over 3.7 million athletes in 0ver 170 countries worldwide).

 

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was inaugurated in putting an end on the racial segregation which was prevalent in schools back then. Because of the extensive voting rights campaign, the Jim Crow Laws were entirely abolished. For those who aren’t familiar with these laws, Jim Crow laws were the state and local U.S. laws ratified between 1876 and 1965 in which there was  racial isolation  between black and white Americans in most public facilities.

 

Subsequently, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was then mandated in 1965 which led the commencement of Special Education in the U.S. which aimed to reduce the educational discrimination for deprived children. The amendments were able to focus on providing federal funds to most educational institutions at the same time providing additional funds to aid all state-operated schools that caters children with special needs.

 

Additionally, President Lyndon Baines Johnsons, the next president of the former President Kennedy, was able to approve the Medicare and Medicaid Bill on July 30, 1965 intended for the health care of the people with disabilities. In the succeeding year, the federal planned to provide inclusion grants for students with disabilities in the public schools.

 

Other ESEA amendments were made including its initial expansion by means of providing more federal funds to commence several education programs to support, develop, and increase the Special Education services. These programs were then called as discretionary.

 

The beginning of 70’s marked the highest rate of people with disabilities who were able to go at state schools for their education and in 1971 was the exact year where racial segregation in schools had been abolished.

 

However, the controversial coverage (entitled the Last Grace) of Geraldo River (American attorney, reporter, journalist, author and talk show host) was able to expose injustices and ill-treatment of students who have disabilities which were rampant at Willowbrook State School. This started a new policy on allowing these students to obtain public education rather than being secluded with a certain educational service.  

 

The Education of the Handicapped Act was then approved in 1974 for helping the children with disabilities. This was one of the Special education programs of the U.S. and later renamed as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Finally, it was further reauthorized and renamed as No Child Left Behind in 2001.

Deaf Education Advocates Foundation with WSD Programs

  By Princess | February 21, 2012 - 3:49 am | education, Education in the US
43 Comments

The Washington School for the Deaf (WSD) is an educational institution that endeavors in helping all deaf students in the Washing ton to foster their talents and skills and to encourage them to live a normal life despite their conditions. The education program provided by WSD caters students with age bracket between 3 to 21 years old.

 

It also provides a standard high school curriculum including several requisite and optional classes but the graduation requirements are still within the State of Washington policies.

 

The education programs are tailored in such a way that these can meet the each student needs but should still fulfill with the state’s requirements. For one, the residential program is intended for elementary and high school students. It contains six cottages that are designed to provide a home-like ambiance for all the students. The reason behind an age diversity living setup is to provide a chance for older students to teach the younger ones while the younger ones can look up with the older ones as good role models.

 

In addition, the educational institution accepts all students living within the vicinity of Washington but they are primarily enrolled in the campus situated in Vancouver. The campus is the latest center still under the state of Washington for children experiencing deafness and hearing loss conditions.

 

However, the Washington School for the Deaf was modified and became the Washington State Center because the management thought to express the educational institution as a large state organization. Moreover, various teams are organized together to go around the state at a specified day so they can provide the needed services in all parts of the Washington.

 

Another education program being offered is the post high school curriculum where all graduates have still the chance to come back and focus on harnessing their skills to train them for the next level of education. The teachers’ role is to support each student to formulate a program that can really meet specific needs.

 

The curriculum is based upon the notion on teaching the students on how they can able to move in their communities and in any public transportation site. They are also taught about how they can locate an apartment, how to map a resume and handle job interview. Hence, it is more on giving them support for a job preparation once the right time comes to find a decent job.

Finally, the Washington State Center focuses on harnessing and fostering each student’s knowledge and skills for 3-5 months to prepare them in their life in the community particularly in the working place. That’s why Deaf Education Advocates Foundation is constantly supporting education programs similar from the WSD to make a difference and provides life changing opportunities for students who are experiencing deafness and hearing loss conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

Education and Technology

  By Princess | February 18, 2012 - 2:38 am | education
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When education and technology are used simultaneously in most schools, universities and other instructive institutions will greatly provide a positive impact in the students’ learning aspect particularly in shaping their skills while enriching their knowledge.

 

There are a lot of good reasons on why technologies are effective to use in the classroom. For one, new technology appeals to most students and in fact, they can spend long hours of using computers, smart phones and television when they get home from their school. This means that teachers can able to engage the students in any learning activity in the classroom when they are allowed to learn yet to have fun at the same time simply by incorporating the use of technology in the curriculum.

 

Next is professional growth. Technology allows the student to improve other skills that will aid them once they are already in the working place after graduation. A lot of jobs right now include the basic skill in computer as a requirement during application. Without this type of skill, this will deprive them in having the opportunity to win a position in a certain establishment. However, with the power of the internet the students can now learn on how to utilize even a simple piece of gadget.

 

One the other hand, when education and technology are being employed these will make the teachers’ lives more easier especially when it comes with their lesson plans, grading, parents’ meeting, and other clerical activities they have. They can even make a test via online where all their students may have the chance to see their grades online rather than spending too much on doing the grades manually.

 

Moreover, with the use of technologies can eradicate common barriers when it comes to the attention of the students. Rather than using the teachers’ maximum voice in speaking right in front of the class, they can use amplifiers where they can speak comfortably without straining too much their voice. These can also manage the behavior of the students because sometimes the reason why a lot of students are not paying attention is because they can’t even hear the lessons.

 

The internet hosts the biggest resources of information and when students are allowed to use technology, they will have the chance to read several contents from the smartest educators across the world.

 

In general, education and technology are the best partners when it comes in the learning development of the students. So, it is not a bad idea to consider technologies as worthy tools to include in the education system.

 

 

 

 

 

Educational Attainment in Students with Social Class Background

  By Princess | February 16, 2012 - 2:46 am | education
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Educational Attainment and Social Class

According to the U.S. Census Bureau Glossary, educational attainment is defined as the highest level of education completed in relation with a school degree.  Some experts believed that gender, ethnicity and class (whether upper, middle, social class) have great influence when it comes to the students’ educational success.

 

Students with working class background can somehow affect their performance in the school because of a lot of reasons.

 

  • Lack of Sufficient Educational Materials

All students under the working class have limited chance when it comes with acquiring all the needed materials for their learning like books, fees for field trips, tuition fees so on and forth.

 

  • Unsupportive Parents

Sometimes parents tend to become unsupportive with their children particularly on their studies because parents may have pessimistic experiences on their education in the past. Thus, the disappointment they felt might lead them to discourage their children instead of giving them advises about the importance of education.

 

  • Cultural Aspect of Individuals under the Working Class

Most of the time, families under this class have valued more on instant gratification rather than considering their future success. In short, they mostly worry on their lives on a daily basis because how can they worry their future if they can’t even resolve all their problems in the present like their everyday food, shelter, and all basic needs.

 

Moreover, students somehow lack the values and skills needed for higher educational attainment because even their parents are deprived from getting sufficient education due to poverty. This viewpoint is definitely being criticized nowadays.

 

  • Lack of Sufficient Funding

Most of the time, all parents who are under the upper and middle class can choose the best schools for their children and provide them all the materials and support they need to ensure the success of their children. However, parents under the working class have less chances of providing the best education for their children even if they want to because they don’t have enough money to finance the needs of their children particularly when it comes with paying tuition fees.

 

Verdict:

Two things should be considered on top priority to ensure the children’s success and these are the cultural and social aspects. The cultural aspect can influence on how parents perceive on what is best for their children. When they know how to encourage and support their children’s education, they can able to ensure better future for them. Likewise, social aspect should also be considered because without proper funding, children under the working class will eventually be deprived from getting educational attainment.

Financial Education for Employees

  By Princess | February 14, 2012 - 1:43 am | education
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The EDSA Group®, a self-governing financial education company, provides educational tools and several solutions to educate the people in terms of their financial status. The company constantly endeavors individuals to equip themselves with the needed information so they can make knowledgeable financial decisions throughout their personal finances.

 

Likewise, the company has been in the business since 1993 and remains indomitable due to its effective program offers particularly in featuring financial educational solutions plus several employer-sponsored benefit plans. In addition, all various tools are designed to cater all types of people and companies including several financial professionals and organizations.

 

Financial professionals are taught about some financial management skills so in return they can impart their knowledge particularly when they handle their clients and prospects. For academic institution, the students can be taught about financial education to improve the students’ financial achievement. Similarly, it is also important that businesses should allow their employees to learn about financial education to boost their confidence at the same time increase their financial status.

 

Employers Benefits from EDSA:

Apart from the employees’ benefits, the employers too can gain a lot from the EDSA Company. For one, it can heighten the productivity of the firm while putting a strong connection between financial awareness and health overheads. When employers are taught about education in finances there is a possible great reduction of expenditures when it comes to health care because they can maximize their beneficial plans. Thus, it will improve the company’s standing knowing that both the employer and employees are working effectively along with their sense of well being.  In addition, retirement plans are also featured and in fact, very valuable as a practical liability security for both parties.

 

 

The EDSA Group® can extend their hands in imparting all types of people in the working industry about the importance of financial education in their lives. With all the live workshops including one-on-one educational meetings for providing sound financial solutions and several helpful tools will really help the individuals both the employees and employers to learn and apply what they have learned in handling their personal finances. Hence, this will allow them to see what should and shouldn’t be done and eventually come up with an informed financial decision to achieve better result.

 

 

 

 

Unending Issues on Sex Education in the U.S.

  By Princess | February 11, 2012 - 11:30 pm | education, Education in the US
41 Comments

Sex education has become a part as a formal program in the U.S. where most students are taught about wide array of issues regarding human sexuality such as sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, sexual anatomy, reproductive health, abstinence, contraception and other related matters concerning the subject. Generally, the subject is taught particularly from the parents, caregivers, educational programs, and any public health promotion.

 

For teenagers, sex education is perhaps one of the debatable subject matter that is well-tackled in the U.S. and until now there is no exact answer on whether it can really benefit the students or just simply a form of distraction for them.

 

Several groups are continuously discussing on debates about what should only be tackled on this subject. The social conservatives for one, considers that the topic should only be centered entirely on the abstinence while a few supporters from the comprehensive sex education thinks that the use of contraceptives should also be included in the program. Each group has a say on this matter but let’s just focus on doing deep research to be able to come up a better solution on what to include and not to include in the program in accordance with the students wellbeing.

 

However, did you know that Texas is actually having an abstinence policy? A local pastor will teach about the abstinence program but in a religious way and eventually bring the program into some schools. On the other hand, a lot of parents don’t agree much with the way the subject has been taught to several schools in Montgomery County Merlin and even the members of the Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum or CRC safe schools, safe students are not actually happy with the curriculum. Similarly, the National Abstinence Education Association and the Family Research Council is also on the side of CRC. They strongly think that comprehensive sex education should provide a better life for the sexuality aspect of the teenagers.

 

Various issues may arise when tackling about sex education but biologically speaking teenagers around the world are somehow similar because they are constantly seeking for connections and through these connections can lead them to the world of sexuality. This can be quite difficult to handle but with proper guidance from the parents and educators, students can simply be taught on how to manage themselves with the idea that in every aspect of life there is always limitations or restrictions that they should keep in mind.

 

Social Media in Education: Way of Teaching Digital Students

  By Princess | February 8, 2012 - 11:59 am | education
130 Comments

Using social media in education can aid the students’ learning more efficiently rather than teaching them solely with the traditional teaching practices. It’s about time that teachers nowadays must learn on how to use the social media as another way of educating the students.

 

According to statistics, the 2011 class in the U.S. accounts the lowest SAT reading scores in history. However, one study of the United States Department of Education shows that digital students can able to learn better with the use of the internet as compared with students who are exposed with one-on-one instruction.

 

The students nowadays are technology-oriented as compared before. They can’t live without their gadgets like the smart phone, computer, laptop, iPad so on and forth. In fact, they can spend more hours on watching YouTube videos than reading books. In addition, a survey shows that about 53% of the students are using smart phone and can spend about 31 hours on surfing the internet in a week.

 

Even the kindergartens are allowed to study on their iPad rather than on a chalkboard. Well, no wonder they were born on a generation where technology is so popular and fast growing.  Instead of using textbooks to learn about the universe and other educational subjects, most students are now using the “Google Earth” on the internet just to explore and learn about outer space, planets, and among others.

 

According to New York Times research, it shows that teenagers spend more time on watching or listening to social media with the use of their smart phones instead of having a conversation with others. Also, when ask about who participates in class or in online, the students who answered that they participate online accounts 99% while those who participate in class accounts 10% only.

 

The odd thing is that in 2008, Barack Obama had able to utilize the Facebook just to win a presidency and in 2o1o, the people in Egypt had also able to use the same social media to commence a rebellion. Thus, we can really say that the social media is so influential not only for the students but for the entire people in the universe regardless of their status.

 

 

In this case, it is not a bad option for the teachers to use social media in education. If we can see some improvements regarding the learning capabilities of the students, then teachers should really work hard on incorporating digital learning tools in class.

 

Another thing, did you know that majority of the students prefer on using the Wikipedia to gather answers for their homework than consulting on a book? In fact, 100% of the students admit that they usually visit the Wikipedia and only 2% is using a book for research. Even though one study shows that Wikipedia is as precise as the Britannica Encyclopedia, still most teachers don’t actually permit the students on using it.

 

Hence, if we really want to improve the learning capabilities of the students, teachers should open up for alternative ways on teaching rather than using only the traditional practices. It’s about time to give way in using social media in education especially that we are living in a world where everything is powered by technology.

 

 

 

 

Valuing Higher Education in the Workplace

  By Princess | February 7, 2012 - 2:08 am | education, Higher Education in East Asia
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In most third-world countries in the continent of East Asia, the value of higher education is being emphasized since this can offer an individual’s better future in acquiring superior skills and knowledge that will be needed in the workplace.

 

With the fast growing population in most countries in East Asia, the need for growth and development in terms of acquiring education is on top priority to secure a better place in a competitive workplace. Statistically speaking, when we compare the productivity between the upper-income countries and the middle-income countries there is a serious gap between those two. So, the question here is how these countries develop their productivity so the technology can  also improve?

 

Several Reforms to Strengthen Higher Education for Growth and Development in Countries Located in East Asia

 

  • Finance Aspect

Lower and middle wage countries can develop their educational system efficiently and effectively by means of funding. What they need to do right now is to prioritize more on the research while making sure that they can offer loan and scholarship particularly for the unfortunate ones.

 

  • Managing the Public Education Sectors.

Based on the statistics, 70% of the students in the third-world countries are enrolled in the public institution so; in this case the government and other educational sectors should work in partnership to make sure that all public institutions are well-handled.

 

  • The Need for Involvement in the Higher Educational System

We have all various educational departments such as the private and the international higher education and each has its own role that needs to be fulfilled. However, each sector should have an involvement in the overall system to achieve better outcome particularly in the management.

 

Great Contribution:

Higher education can really contribute towards the productivity and development of the country. For one, all individuals can do better as workers in a certain workplace. With superior education, this can improve their skills and knowledge which they will carry on when the time that they are searching for jobs.

 

Most of the time, employers are seeking specific worker qualities that can help them sustain the market including excellent leadership skills, problem-solving skills, discernment skills and lastly is the technical skills. In fact, in several cases roughly 80% of the employees have undergone OJT or on-the-job-training during their initial entry in the workplace.

 

On the other hand, if you look closely there is always a difference in the wages of the workers. For those who have exceptional skills that the employers are looking for, they have higher wages as compared with those who don’t exemplify exceptional qualities.

 

 

Sad Part:

When it comes in providing higher education from countries all over the East Asia, it eventually boils down to the fact that it isn’t living up with it promises because the educational system within these countries seems disconnected and mismanaged wherein a few sectors don’t even function well in carrying out their roles in the system.

 

Conclusion:

Good management should be taken in consideration in handling the higher education system from countries in the East Asia since this will really contribute a lot in providing better education for all the citizens living in here particularly for the children. If we really want to secure a great future for our children and for the next generations to come, then we really need to work and cooperate very well to address at least a few education issues to improve the growth and productivity of the country.

 

 

 

 

 

The Education in Finland and Why it Works?

  By Princess | February 6, 2012 - 5:56 pm | education, Education in Finland
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The Finnish education system greatly puts emphasis on the importance of equality where there is respect between the administrators and the children. Presently speaking, the education system in Finland is well-funded that’s why there is no tuition fees and the students are provided with free meals.

 

Generally, it consists of day care programs which are intended for babies and toddlers, one year preschool for 6-year old kids, an obligatory nine-year basic comprehensive school for 7- to 16- year old teens, post-compulsory secondary general academic and vocational educational system, higher education which can be acquired from Universities and polytechnics and lastly, a life-long adult education.

 

The education in Finland uses effective strategy and this is the reason why the system works for most of the students. Specifically, the strategy is based upon the idea of pursuing excellence and equality in the system where there is no student selection during the time for their common basic education.

 

Likewise, most schools have put high importance in making sure that all the students starting from day care up to the nursery-kindergarten should be well-taught particularly on their proper communication skills while teaching them the spirit of team work. The education system in Finland strongly believes that the education for young children is the starting point of everything and so it should be on top priority more than anything else.

 

Focusing on their education at this early age is somewhat a preparation for a lifelong adult education in the future. Likewise, several formal teachings on reading and mathematics are also taught and primarily start at the age of 7 to avoid disruption of learning.

 

According to one credible data, Finland is one of the countries that has the highest education along with countries like New Zealand, Denmark and Australia.

 

Why Education in Finland really works?

The education system in Finland is one of the successful systems in the globe chiefly because of the high standard requirement for the teachers. Unlike other countries, most teachers in every Finnish school should achieve master’s degree. The teachers are highly regarded and generally treated with great respect in all societies in Finland.

 

Moreover, even the kids have entirely showed respect for their teachers and that’s why as teachers they have a sense of prestige and confidence on their profession. On the other hand, there is 50% disparity when comparing the teachers in the United States and teachers in Finland. Most of the time, the Finnish teachers have a lot of school activities to attend specifically in the academic development of the students while working simultaneously with parents at the same time doing student consultations. Likewise, the U.S. teachers have their own workplace, lockers, computers and telephones while Finnish teachers share similar faculty while keeping real bonding and professionalism as well.

 

When talking about the curriculum in a Finnish school, it generally involves integration of various areas in art and music, cooking, calculus, industrial arts, literature and incorporation between human interaction, technology and textbooks.

 

Conclusion:

In general, the education in Finland primarily involves more on problem solving rather than winning an argument. It is more on the notion on how teachers can help all the children in achieving success while educating them about the importance of equality, respect, and excellence simultaneously.

 

 

 

South Africa Education

  By Princess | February 3, 2012 - 1:26 pm | South Africa Education System
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According to statistics, the whole population of people in South Africa is approximately 50 million and only 37% of the people are participating in the educational system. If you really want to know the performance of South Africa education system, the initial action is to look on the input of the system.

 

Normally, the three important facets for any form of educational system include primary, secondary and tertiary education. In the primary education segment in South Africa, the current population of individuals who should participate in the system is 15% if we based it on the age range but theoretically speaking the total individuals who enrolled in the system is approximately 87% only. However, if you based it in the presentation of the educational system, it is known that 89% of the individuals have completed the primary education.

 

Next is the secondary education. In this facet, it forms approximately 10% of the total population at present but in that 10% benchmark, it accounts about 67% of the individuals who participated and who are enrolled in the system. From that 67% only 44% of the people are able to complete the secondary schooling which is in fact very alarming and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

 

The third facet is the Tertiary Education. 12% of the existing population is supposedly attending the tertiary South Africa education system however; based on statistics only 14% of individuals is presently participating in the system and from that percentage only 17% completes the tertiary education along with the tertiary degree.

 

What are the reasons why a lot of South Africans are not able to participate in the education system? According to a certain survey, there are few major reasons on why this is happening.

 

  1. 32% of the respondents stated that there were unable to make it in the education system because of lack of money to sustain their education.
  2. Another 15% of the respondents said that they thought education is a waste of time.
  3. The last 10% respondents answered that the reason on why they can’t make it in the education system is because they have illnesses.

 

By and large, the South Africa education system should be prioritized by the people because without proper educational degree, each individual is likely to suffer more in terms of seeking future success. The government should see to it to have more funds allotted in this sector so everyone has the opportunity to go to school even if they don’t have enough money and in this way they would not think that education is useless.