"'No Pass, No Drive' Laws Popular, Not Proven" is one of those articles that I feel like I need to listen to the Alfie Cone cd from last semester again before reading. I find myself very conflicted because I still don't have a very good idea of how many and what kind of rewards and punishments I want/need (need is a very relative term) to use in my classroom. There is a comment on the article that criticizes one of the people listed in the article who doesn't think its a good program, saying that getting kids into the building is better than not having them in the building at all. After reading the comment, I largely agreed with the person who made it. But then again, there are days where I come to school and I don't feel like I learn very much of anything. There are definitely times where I question whether I should be in the program or not, and then I think to myself about the multiple thousands of dollars a year raise I get for having a Master's in the Arts of Teaching and I'm able to make it through class knowing that I am certainly in there for at LEAST one reason. One could argue that I shouldn't go to class at all and forget about getting a Masters degree if that is the reason I am doing it. Obviously I am doing it for a lot of reasons. In the same way, I honestly don't think that the kids who are affected by these law are not going to school solely for the purpose of getting and keeping their licenses. There are a lot of reasons to go to school. School is where a lot of their friends are etc etc etc. The same person who didn't think that the program is a good idea said that there were other things that he would rather the district be doing instead. My question to him is, why cant we do this program and do more of his ideas? Does this program really hurt? Again, you'd have to refer back to the Alfie cd from last semester before you can answer with an informed decision.
Quick hit: I have a question for the atheist father of the girl in Illinois who doesn't want a "moment of silence" in school. Is it the fact that it probably is specifically for prayer and that they are trying to use the moment of silence to give people the opportunity to pray to start the day? From my perspective, a moment of silence is perfectly fine with me. But then again, I'm a Christian person. The atheist guy probably doesn't like this veiled attempt at keeping prayer in schools.
Bobby,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the way you tackle this article from a very personal perspective. It would be helpful, though, you read your thoughts on the program itself. There are some strong arguments for a hardcore behaviorist approach to student learning (rewards and severe punishments). And a host of thoughtful concerns about the effects of this particular program.
Great to have your voice, though even better to make it even more sharp and specific.
Thanks.