Despite their obvious improvement, I knew that one day these children of the Jungle would be out in the world competing against those I had once taught at Camelot. It would be no contest, and I couldn’t get this point across to my new students. How could I expect an eleven-year-old to value excellence when mediocrity was the order of the day?
Rafe is correct. How, as a future educator do I prepare students
to compete against those students from Camelot? Furthermore, how do I change
the perception of not only students, but parents and community to accept the
notion that mediocrity should not be tolerated in the classroom? These are two
important questions. In addition, I also liked how Rafe views teaching of the
English language.
If they aren't fluent in English at the end of fifth grade, they’ll go on to middle school far behind children from other parts of town. As a result of our concern with diversity, we don’t insist that students become fluent in English. Does anyone believe that putting them at a permanent disadvantage is a plus in their lives? Looking down the road, how in the world can a child who isn't fluent in English do well on college entrance exams?
So true. That is why great education at the elementary level
is paramount.
