Social Issues in Education

A Critically Compassionate Pedagogy for Latino Youth By: Julio Cammarota and Augustine Romero In “A Critically Compassionate Pedagogy for Latino Youth,” Cammarota and Romero argue that true learning only happens in classrooms that are build upon trust, respect, and an understanding of one another. Without these vital components, academic development does not exist, especially in the lives of the Latino youth. In this article, Angela Valenzuela explains “that a lack of care and respect in teacher/student relationships may be a key factor behind the failure of Latino youth” (309). This is a very powerful statement and seems like something that is highly attainable. Valenzula is not indicating the need for huge investments in curriculum that would be costly to the school department, she is simply indicating there is a need for better relationships between teachers and students that would foster a more effective learning environment. I often wonder about all the money that goes into par...

Chapter 1:  Deculturalization and the Claim of Racial and Cultural Superiority by Anglo-Americans Author: Joel Spring In chapter 1 of the book Deculturalization and the Struggle for Equality , author Joel Spring explains how cultural and racial issues were a major part of American history. Spring starts by describing how different groups of people, particularly Native Americans, African Americans, and Asian Americans, were stripped of their culture and considered racially inferior. Education policies also reflected the views of the Anglo-Americans, who were the superior. Schools were designed to “destroy Native American cultural and linguistic traditions and replace them with the English language and Anglo-American culture” (1). African American slaves “were denied educational rights altogether,” (1) or were subjected to educational segregation once they were free African Americans. Similarly, Asian Americans were either denied an education or forced to attend segregated school...

What "Counts" as Educational Policy? Notes Toward a New Paradigm By: Jean Anyon Jean Anyon argues that yes, we do need better schools but we also need policies that support "economic opportunity and development for urban residents and neighborhoods."  Improving schools does not fix the neighborhoods that our students come from.  Poverty is the underlying issue here that needs to be addressed, yet other policies are put into place without getting at the source first.  Anyon goes on to explain how even when school reform is successful, there are still barriers against getting a job after graduating.  "Individual and neighborhood poverty builds walls around schools and classrooms that education policy does not penetrate or scale."  Why then do we put so much effort into school reform when it is the neighborhoods that truly need reform? It was uplifting to read that there are some solutions to these chronic problems of  poverty.  Anyon gives examples ...

Unnatural Causes:  In Sickness and in Wealth Directed by: Larry Adelman Episode 1 of the series Unnatural Causes titled “In Sickness and in Wealth” argues that your life expectancy is determined by where you live.  The film explains how inequality is actually making us sick and ultimately causing people to die sooner just because of the communities they live in.  I always thought health depended on certain behaviors and some genetics, but instead this film sheds light on that fact that healthy behaviors are choices that are determined by one’s ability to access resources that support a healthy life.  The data that has been presented from research is very clear about who will live longer than another.  So, why then are we not using this data to make resources accessible to neighborhoods in need so that people living in a particular zip code can have access to better choices, which in turn will help them live a longer and healthier life? As the physician...

My name is Lauren Fournier.  I am a teacher at Paul Cuffee School in Providence.  Paul Cuffee is a charter school with 3 different buildings.  There is a lower school, middle school, and high school.  I am a literacy teacher at the lower school.  I support students in Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade.  I enjoy working with the little ones!  I am certified in Early Childhood and Special Education and I am currently in the reading graduate program.  As a teacher and graduate student, there is not much time for spare time!  I do love relaxing in the sun at the beach or going to Zumba class to let out some stress.  I am a quiet person by nature.  I may not say a lot but I am always listening and soaking it all in.