Talking Point #5

Teaching to change the world

By: Jeannie Oakes and Martin Lipton

Premises

• Children
• Schools
• Myths
• Education
• Teaching
• Privileges
• ideologies
• diversity
• equal

Argument:

Oakes and Lipton both argue that the American Schooling system have this myth of how the system needs to look like in order for children to be successful. However, that myth doesn't apply to every child especially for students who's second language is English. We need to find alternative to change the school curriculum so that every child is included and beneficial for every students. The solution for that problem is a more democratic society.

Evidence:

"...those students who have the resources, opportunities, and connections that come with privilege, the more ambitious and hardworking may well go farther than those who simply do okay in school." (page 19)

This quote just shows how privilege student are the only ones that apply to the educational myths.

"Family background seemed to determine how well students do at school" (page 24)

Since family is very important for the success of a child the myth of the school curriculum is not going to work with every child. This quote makes is clear that since every student comes from different background the American school system doesn't apply for every students and for that reason the curriculum should be change so that every child is included.

"We must be sure the conditions exist so that everyone can participate fully. Democratic schooling is one of these conditions because of its unique capacity to keep track, solicit, channel, alleviate, and project a future." (Page 33)

Comments:

This article was okay in my opinion. I mean it does gives a reader good information about how a democratic school helps every students. I can relate to this article because when I go to my service learning project I attend a classroom where not every student speak English or understand English. However, these students shouldn't be left out just because they don't understand the dominate society. In fact the teacher always try methods to include every child because she knows that most of her students don't understand the American curriculum. The first evidence that I found in the article I can say that the students in my SLP they don't have the advantages then those student who are considered as the privilege students in this school society.