Winners and losers in education

Yes, I was inspired to continue on in school by the grades I received. The tracking structure for instance sets up an aim for more difficult accomplishments. Herndon’s sarcasm in describing the educational institution sets the reader up for true failure or ‘loss’ if the reader believes the description of an institution is a ‘place to do things where those things will not be done. He tormented over this class all semester and his goal in the class was that he be placed on the right of the bell curve. How does one place a grade on these skills? This all prepared me for how I was to adjust in the real world. These minorities lost out on higher civic opportunities as a result. The responsibility would be on the whole society, an effort and responsibility by all. Not only do these supporting groups help the educational efforts of the schools, but provide opportunity for success for the individual that carries her/him beyond the educational system and gives that education meaning and worth in the real world. An example is the support of the students in high school education today in the Minneapolis school system by outside organizers such as police-sponsored boxing teams, parenting and community education groups, and block organizations preparing kids for the real world by supporting local school efforts, etc…. Another example is Herndon’s symposium on the American Institution where he challenges the meaning of the word institution and remarks that one must be careful not to invent the purpose of the institution to suite the need of the political or social movement of the time. He knew that the teacher had already established winners and losers in her class by placing emphasis on this grading system. An example I will mention is the Edward Murrow High School that I see created a ‘lose’ situation for those who could not make the entrance, and a ‘win’ situation was adopted simply by not allowing challenging behaviors or non-achievers into the structure. I know that I learned self discipline, respect, ability to problem solve, to think abstractly, and have access to supporting debates through learned tidbits of facts that I collected over twelve years of schooling. A few educators and administrators should not be allowed to determine such things as curriculums, standards, and even teacher’s credentials.