Sesame Workshop

Can you tell me how to get..how to get to Sesame Street? These words bring a familiar tune to the mind of millions of Americans young and old. I selected Sesame Workshop as my focus for this blog entry because I am already a fan of the site. I have used the videos frequently with my grandchildren and my students. I use the overhead projector and a video screen for whole class viewing. There are videos that focus on letters and numbers and others that focus on character lessons and life lessons such as sharing and hygiene. I create power points for my students in the familiar Sesame Street format, entering a phoneme at a time to spell a word. The Sesame Street program has always been near and dear to me but now after taking the time to fully explore the site I was amazed by the magnitude of this non-profit organization. The Sesame Street Workshop produces their engaging educational content in sixteen countries around the world. Viewing the clips of the Sesame Street productions utilized in these various countries was very interesting. It was also interesting to see how their objectives for content differed from one country to another. The process that goes into the development of their content is so impressive. They continuously conduct intensive research to assess it's impact. Their mission is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children worldwide by addressing their critical developmental needs. I believe they are and will continue to be successful in this mission. The characters of Sesame Street have been a beneficial part of my children's lives and now my grandchildren's lives as well.

Views of Multiculturalism

Samual Taylor's article The Challenge of Multiculturalism focuses on the perplexity of multi-cultural education in the teaching of American History. He provided examples of historical events that are normally covered in the classroom that present problems in a multicultural environment. He discusses the attempts that have been made to develop a multi perspective version of history and the criticism it evoked. Taylor discusses the perspective that the identity of America's origins are being abandoned and replaced by multiple national identities. He states that "One of the strongest motives for building public schools was, therefore, the need to make Americans out of Europeans."

Pithissippi Burning, an article written by Pj Tobia that illustrates the detrimental affect that white nationalist propaganda poses to the multicultural movement. He discusses The Northwest Homeland, a white separatist movement that epitomizes the ethnocentric and monocultural mindset that still plagues our country today. Tobia alludes to the danger generated by an inter-net novel "The Brigade" written by H.A. Covington. He describes the work as "both a believable piece of fiction and a how-to guide for everything from bomb building, assassination and interrogation by torture." In conclusion to his article Tobia forewarns about future perils when he paraphrases Faulkner "the past is not behind us. It isn't even past." He reminds us that the ignorant hate groups that "want to rid the world of non-whites" are as contentious and determined as ever.

Why Multiculturalism is Wrong is an article that presents examples of the negative outcomes of a multicultural society. The author feels multiculturalism limits an individuals freedom, possibilities and possible futures. He uses the Netherlands to exemplify how multiculturalism can result in racism and segregation. He discusses the problems that originated with their implication of compulsory culture and their return to mono-culturalism. This article demonstrated how multiculturalism made culture an inherited factor and how in the name of preserving "their own culture" children were made to learn designated languages that were not their familiar or ethnic language. In places like Turkey multiculturalism makes cultural identity correspond with an individuals nation. The author of this article presents the perspective that an anti-cultural opposed to a multicultural movement would best benefit our nation.

I have been a proponent of a multicultural educational system. I realize schools in the United States still function as an institution used to Americanize immigrant children. I believe in an individuals right to honor their own culture. I also see the difficulties that are arising as we try to develop an acceptable form of multiculturalism in our school systems and in society. I think until recently our nation has maintained an educational system representative of mono-culturalism and I do not feel that has benefited our children or our nation. The varied views in these articles demonstrate the perplexity of the issue. The author of Why Multiculturalism is Wrong presents the choice of no culture. He feels that no cultural representation in schools would be more beneficial than designating a culture or utilizing one conservative cultural view nationwide. Could we develop a curriculum free of cultural perspectives? Could we teach without our cultural beliefs influencing our teaching? Could we have a non-representational national culture and still maintain individual cultural beliefs? Can we as a nation learn to be accepting and respectful of all cultures? Taylor stated "The purpose of American public education has never been simply to impart knowledge. One of its central goals has been to make children into Americans." Maybe, the answer is to re-define what defines the "American" we want to shape our children into.

Religion, Individual Freedom and Education

Jessica Calefati of U.S. News and World Report wrote The Debate Heats Up to bring to light a recent court case embrangled in the role of religion in education. She discusses a recent Chicago Illinois ruling against a state law requiring public school children to observe a moment of silence. It was found that the law was a breach of separation of church and state. In this article Calefati acknowledges The American Civil Liberties Union claims that the law in question was merely "a veil for incorporating religion into public education". In reprisal Calefati asserts the idea that effort to revise state curriculum is being done to make it difficult for teachers to discuss weaknesses in Darwin's theory of evolution.

The article on the William Gobitas papers presented from the Library of Congress reviewed the courts findings in a case where two children were expelled for refusing to salute the flag and pledge their allegiance. In 1935 a U.S. District judge ruled in favor of the students right to refuse but this decision was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1940. It was ruled that the government had the authority to enforce respect for our symbol of national unity. In 1943 a similar case in West Virginia was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court and ruled that based on the First Amendment of the Constitution the government did not have the authority to enforce the saluting of the flag or pledging one's allegiance to our country. This article credits Gobitas litigious dexterity in his pursuit for his individual rights.

Reflecting on the above articles I believe Calefati conveyed a discountenance with the actions of our government regarding the role of religion in education. My position on a moment of silence is that if it is not in anyway directed to be used as a time for prayer than it is not an act of religion but an individual’s time for spiritual reflection anyway they choose. Since 1962 with the Supreme Court ruling in Engel v. Vitale, finding public school systems did not have the right to conduct prayer services it has been an on-going debate. I feel that a country made of immigrants, built by immigrants and boastfully the melting pot of the world cannot utilize a government establishment that is responsible for providing an equality education to all children to endorse a common religion. Instruction in public education should always be based in a curriculum incorporating theories and information that has been embodied by empirical and scientific research not by one religion's doctrine.

Concerns for national safety is definitely at the forefront of major issues in our country today. Since 911 the world shares the fear of terrorist attacks. Is the absence of saluting or reciting one's allegiance to a symbol of a country an act of disrespect? Does participating in an act of homage to a declared national symbol constitute idolizing a graven image? Did praising the golden calf go against the commandment? If you were an exchange student living in Germany for two years would you be comfortable saluting their flag and pledging your allegiance to their country? We have willingly opened our golden door to immigrants from hundreds of countries. Allegiance to our country might be a greater desire if it not forced by the authorities but appreciated by all.“Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” http://www.factmonster.com/

Innovators and Makers #1

My initial thoughts on Education Innovators and Makers of our education system imagined the innovators were like Dewey and Horace Mann and the Makers were the country's administration. After reviewing Gatto's site I realized the referenced Makers are Americas Industrialist's. The obvious difference between the Innovators and the Makers is that the Innovators were directly involved with the transformation of education. The Makers have in-directly impacted the institution of education in America. It ultimately comes down to the need to produce the product that industries need in order to produce. Gattos site made reference to education being a radical piece of social engineering but to a certain extent corporate America is a necessary voice in our education system. If we are not enlightened to the current job markets how can we prepare our students for job placement after education. Like it or not the reality is that economic forces are the basis of our education system. In a matter of speaking schools are servants to corporate America.

The information provided on Innovators via the PBS link was very interesting. Each one of the featured innovators has made a revolutionary contribution in Education. For instance for the purpose of empowering women's roles in the nineteenth century Catherine Beecher cultivated women to be the ideal school teacher. Today teachers in America are still predominantly female, especially at the elementary levels. This may have served it's purpose at one time but in this day and time we really need to see more male educators in our schools. So many of our school children lack positive male role models and it is so important to have that especially at the elementary levels. Dewey laid the foundation that spawned the progressive education movement. Today we continue the mission of implementing practices that are child centered and psychologically and physically appropriate for each individual child. The Innovator I chose to focus on is Deborah Meier. I think this innovator's influences will have continuity in public school systems for a long time. Meier fostered a democratic environment she believed in giving teachers more autonomy, parents a greater voice over the childrens education, and promoted a family-oriented system. A major goal of many school systems today is to create a partnership with parents and communities. I think it is becoming a realization that it takes a village. Meetings with parents are required in order to place children in special service programs or under an individualized education plan. We utilize community organizations for sponsorships, donations and other modes of support. Our government has bestowed parents with the power to choose where and how their child recieves an education. There are Charter schools, Magnet Schools, Private schools, On-line schools and parents can even choose to Home-school their children. I think a family-oriented system is crucial in this time of national discontent. The family structure has suffered under the economic and environmental pressures that plague our society today and they need to be restored. This is one reason I believe Meier's influences on education will continue to be relevant.

The Maker that I feel influenced the education system that we know today would be Henry Ford. Each Maker featured on Gattos site has influenced education in one way or another but Ford seemed to have a more democratic agenda. Like Frederick W. Taylor, Ford focused on efficiency. Needs for efficiency drove him to pioneer "welfare capitalism". He implemented programs for profit-sharing and paid workers double the minumum wage. Similiar to the school industry greater social control was an alterior motive of Henry Fords actions but after some controversy he altered the goals of the social department. His beliefs that taking care of his employees will lead to having a dependable workforce and higher productivity. I see our school systems basically attempting doing the same with our students. With the right amount of love and naturance they will strive to gain knowledge and productivity of well rounded human capitol will be plentiful.