Highly rated instructors go beyond teaching to the standardized test

Highly rated instructors go beyond teaching to the standardized test

It's true! the "drill and kill" approach bores kids. But finding the time to maintain creativity in your lesson plans while adhering to the district guidelines doesn't always work either.

Here is a great article that shows just how many of the 'most effective' teachers do the best they can, but don't strictly adhere to the guidelines either. They can see by observing the behavior and responses of their students that adaptations must be made at the classroom level and that is exactly what they do. Educators should not be afraid to do what is best for their students!

Creating a place for Autism

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/30/putting-the-gifts-of-the-autistic-to-work/?partner=rss&emc=rss
This is an inspirational move toward society adapting and accommodating for those with Autism.  The need for finding a way to help the increasing population of Autistic in our society will soon be a major concern.  This entrepreneur found a way to include the Autistic who could show ability to perform at a certain level, thus allowing them to contribute successfully to society, rather than become a burden.
The reason I have placed it in our blog, is because there is much to learn from what this man has done and to me, it emphasizes the importance of finding ways to include and adapt these students education-while they are in school, so that they can also have a chance at success as adults.  The author states that in 2010, there were over 14 million people of working age in the united states with a diagnosed disability. LESS THAN 1 IN 3 OF THESE PEOPLE WERE EMPLOYED. Unless we do something, this is a problem that is only going to get worse and will cost our country more each year.
The point made by the interviewee Thorkil Sonne, who works with Autistic is very common; they are often laughed at, harassed, misunderstood and expected to perform in an environment that they have not been adequately prepared for.  The end result is that they are often fired if they do manage to find a job and the reasons they are fired or eliminated from the employable pool to begin with is that they are unable to process social cues accurately.  This typically has nothing to do with their ability to perform a task, if the task is one that they have been given the skills for.
More importantly, Autistic people generally perform repetitive tasks very well and most of the rest of us do not enjoy these tasks. They often have the patience to stick with complicated tasks and problem detection that is very important to pre-market production, as Sonne points out.
So- What are we doing in our education system for these people?  I am afraid many would rather institutionalize Autism, if they could, but by doing so, we are only insuring that we will have to support them financially for the rest of their lives.  The exposure to the social environment in school is important for all kids, because it enables both to adapt to working with each other. If we effectively teach these children, like any Exceptional Child,  we are finding their gifts, rather than focusing and exposing their limitations.  This is what increases the likelihood that any of these children will be able to support themselves as adults; a vitally important goal.  Wouldn't you agree?

Please read this article and share your thoughts!

Wow! The Impact of Cutting Education Funds Really Hurts!M

Here is a link to an article on the importance of Dropout Prevention  http://www.senatorhughes.com/issues/dropout_prevention.htm. It seems to me these number and statistics are of vital importance because they are the future of any state that cuts education funding, not just Pennsylvania- where this originated. Because it is well kown that A high (and rising) dropout rate produces less employable people and those who do find work make less than half of the average graduate, who goes on to a secondary education.  More than a 5% of high school drop outs will end up incarcerated and ultimately the contribute far less to society and end up costing society a great deal, it is so important that we find a way to close the achievement gap, not increase it!   I don't know a lot about Senator Hughes, but it is obvious he has his work cut out for him!

After reading this please share with us.
What are your thoughts?  How can we get those who are supposedly vested in our interests to understand that properly funding education is vital?

Julie