My Student Teaching Experience in New York (low income, school district)

[Stac2007]

I am currently completing my degree in education by student teaching at my local high school. The time I have put through has left me with a feeling of both sadness and bewilderment. I have been given the opportunity to teach 11th and 12th grade and from the observations I have made education in New York does not get these kids ready for the real world or what they need to be successful in life.

Most of these kids are reading well below their grade level. When I give them a reading assignment most of them do not understand the complex issues which makes up the U.S. Constitution, even though I have covered the material more than once. Constantly I have to define a word from the reading I give them. A word they should know at the grade level they are at. I gave a quiz which used the reading level of what an 11th grade person should be reading at, but most of them failed due to not studying or the inability to understand a simple multiple choice questions. When I was in 11th grade complex essay questions was the rule as a means of building up a students reading and writing abilities. I was told to give them a make up quiz using even simpler matching questions.

These kids are only grade oriented and don't care about knowledge. Common sense should tell them that studying helps earn higher grades and not because mommy and daddy are on the PTA. When I asked them how long they took to study for their unit exam on the U.S. Constitution most of the told me 20-30 minutes. These kids spend more time playing their video games then doing what is needed to be successful in school. You have to wonder what their parents are teaching them as far as bettering themselves.

The state of New York has guidelines and strict regulations for teaching students. Student teachers must follow theses rules to the letter. During our initial student teacher experience and the three years before we are given tenure, we are observed on a constant basis to make certain that we remain with the states guidelines. From what I have seen, many tenured teachers divert from the state guidelines and teach as they please using methods which are not in line with the state of New York. They all use a method of chalk and talk and let their students write down what they repeat instead of student working independently or in groups to gain enduring knowledge.

Most teachers I have seen are only interest in teaching their student to pass the New York regents exam. I have been instructed many times to make copies of past regents exams and find the questions which tend to be repeated. Teachers will have their students memorize theses answers but when it comes to really being able to understand the material becomes a serious problem for many of them. I find this practice to be degrading for any teacher who loves what they teach.

You would think that from all that I have written that I am student teaching in a low income area. The truth is just the opposite. The area in which I am student teaching is in an upper middle class area and where the taxes are terrible high. The school district puts a great deal of emphasis into their sport programs and not enough on reading and writing programs for students who need the extra help. Many teachers I have gotten to know tell me that college is not for everyone. What happens when a great percentage of these kids are not ready for college or life? The only time parents and students truly find out about their academic success is when these kids are taking college entrance exams.

In closing I can only wonder what is going to happen to these young people when they receive their diplomas. Perhaps the words which I have spoken will start to sink in, but for many it will come too late.

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by Stac2007

I am currently completing my degree in education by student teaching at my local high school. The time I have put through has left me with a feeling of both sadness and bewilderment. I have been given the opportunity to teach 11th and 12th grade and from the observations I have made education in New York does not get these kids ready for the real world or what they need to be successful in life.

Most of these kids are reading well below their grade level. When I give them a reading assignment most of them do not understand the complex issues which makes up the U.S. Constitution, even though I have covered the material more than once. Constantly I have to define a word from the reading I give them. A word they should know at the grade level they are at. I gave a quiz which used the reading level of what an 11th grade person should be reading at, but most of them failed due to not studying or the inability to understand a simple multiple choice questions. When I was in 11th grade complex essay questions was the rule as a means of building up a students reading and writing abilities. I was told to give them a make up quiz using even simpler matching questions.

These kids are only grade oriented and don't care about knowledge. Common sense should tell them that studying helps earn higher grades and not because mommy and daddy are on the PTA. When I asked them how long they took to study for their unit exam on the U.S. Constitution most of the told me 20-30 minutes. These kids spend more time playing their video games then doing what is needed to be successful in school. You have to wonder what their parents are teaching them as far as bettering themselves.

The state of New York has guidelines and strict regulations for teaching students. Student teachers must follow theses rules to the letter. During our initial student teacher experience and the three years before we are given tenure, we are observed on a constant basis to make certain that we remain with the states guidelines. From what I have seen, many tenured teachers divert from the state guidelines and teach as they please using methods which are not in line with the state of New York. They all use a method of chalk and talk and let their students write down what they repeat instead of student working independently or in groups to gain enduring knowledge.

Most teachers I have seen are only interest in teaching their student to pass the New York regents exam. I have been instructed many times to make copies of past regents exams and find the questions which tend to be repeated. Teachers will have their students memorize theses answers but when it comes to really being able to understand the material becomes a serious problem for many of them. I find this practice to be degrading for any teacher who loves what they teach.

You would think that from all that I have written that I am student teaching in a low income area. The truth is just the opposite. The area in which I am student teaching is in an upper middle class area and where the taxes are terrible high. The school district puts a great deal of emphasis into their sport programs and not enough on reading and writing programs for students who need the extra help. Many teachers I have gotten to know tell me that college is not for everyone. What happens when a great percentage of these kids are not ready for college or life? The only time parents and students truly find out about their academic success is when these kids are taking college entrance exams.

In closing I can only wonder what is going to happen to these young people when they receive their diplomas. Perhaps the words which I have spoken will start to sink in, but for many it will come too late.

I went to parochial school more than 40 years ago. We HAD to pass the Regents then, or as the Nuns said, "There is the door." "You can go to public school." What did they do? All our tests during the year were from OLD REGENTS exams. Yes, it's true that they repeat the questions. So when the time came to take the actual test, you could almost take it blindfolded because you had seen all these questions so many times before before.

It's nothing new. It was done 40 years ago.

[BuffaloTransplant]

Originally Posted by HockeyMom72

I went to parochial school more than 40 years ago. We HAD to pass the Regents then, or as the Nuns said, "There is the door." "You can go to public school." What did they do? All our tests during the year were from OLD REGENTS exams. Yes, it's true that they repeat the questions. So when the time came to take the actual test, you could almost take it blindfolded because you had seen all these questions so many times before before.

It's nothing new. It was done 40 years ago.

What HockeyMom says is correct. And...you didn't have to be in the parochials; I went to public school and you took the Regents and passed the Regents and then took a 6 hour long Regents exam if you wanted to win a Regents scholarship.( I took it nearly 40 years ago) Mine paid entirely for my tuition for 4 years at a SUNY school. You could use it at any college in NY state, but not out of state. Even if you didn't get the scholarship, you got something.... then they eliminated that and created TAP which gave everyone some money. Demanding quality went down.