The one article that really stood out to me was "Free for Some, Discipline for "Others": The Structure of Inequity in Education". I thought the comparisons of the two Chicago area schools really demonstrated how unfair our school systems are set up. The rules and regulations set up at Groundview Techinical High School were very strict. The students are set up to be alienated the second they walk into the door by being searched. I am torn on this issue because of the saftey concerns. My question to the schools would be what made them put the metal detectors in place? Were weapons an issue in the school or is it only for precaution? If weapons were being brought into the school then I think it is a good thing but if not it makes the students angry that they are being treated like they have done something wrong without even doing anything.
One thing that really bothers me about the militaristic approach is the fact that students at Mountainview had a lot of freedom. From roaming around the school grounds to picking out class, these freedoms allowed the students to feel important in their own education. Groundview was complete opposite. Thinking back to my own experiences if I didn't have any freedoms in picking classes or felt restrained I would have retaliated and been bitter about education as well.
I think schools taking this strict military approach need help. From what the article expresses this approach is not improving student's achievement. It would be interesting to research if it would be possible for a school to move towards a more open environment for students. This would require a lot of trust in the students as well as giving them responsibility to handle it. I don't think a lot of schools are willing to take this risk, however, if nothing is done where will all these students go in life? It is obvious this approach is not working.
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I would say that military education should be reserved for only students who need a strict disciplinary regiment inorder for them to learn. This is often children with behavior problems or students are not given boundaries at home. I do not think that it would be wise for everyone to go through military education because, like you said, it takes away freedoms and makes many kids scared of going to school. But for the kids with behavior problems it works. They need a strict schedule and someone looking over their shoulder at all time.
ReplyDeleteA public school should not have that much power over their student population. If parents sign kids up to be watched while at school because they have problems then by all means send them into a military school, but it should not be a public school. More money should go into textbooks and education than metal detectors.
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