When looking at the many issues of public education, it can be difficult to choose which issue to tackle first. For me, the issue that resonates with me is the clear disparity between the quality of urban and suburban schools. How is it that public schools in suburban and urban locations differ so much? Historically speaking, race and gender has played a large role in the United States in determining who gets to be educated and who does not. Because of this, there’s a significant number of people of color who are given the short end of the public educational system. Many Black and Latino students are forced to attend high poverty stricken schools because 1. They are zoned to the high poverty school and 2. There are no other convenient options.  

            I believe that there is a chance for positive change in education with the incorporation of school and home. It seems that when students advocate about what best helped them succeed they often mention having a strong support system and people who mentored them. I believe that with better resources, like professional development that is focused on practicing different pedagogies and state sponsored projects, there could be a renewal in student motivation and better grades.  

Julia Albertson

April 9, 2017

Professor Cohen

EDUC 266

Strategies for Change

Accessibility in Education

            Throughout the semester questions about accessibility in the classroom have been central to our class discussions. From the extent to which a student may access the resources necessary for social or professional gain, to the level at which a teacher may access the cultures of his or her students, accessibility in the broad sense fundamentally informs the success of both students and teachers in schools. I would like to explore strategies for breaking down the barriers to access in classrooms, looking specifically at what has been done previously that has either succeeded or failed.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/labor_and_unions/Booker-Republicans-introduce-federal-ban-the-box-legislation.html

Overall, my experience with the CCW/ACLAMO partnership has been great. I wasn't too sure at the beginning what my role would be. It seemed like my role was somewhere between a volunteer and a participant. It was clear that I wouldn't be leading any of the workshops, but I was unsure of how much help would be expected of me. Once I arrived and things got started, I realized I would be more of a support person. At the beginning of the partnership, the kids mostly played with the volunteers. By the last day though, they felt very comfortable playing with the CCW artists. I don't know exactly how those relationships evolved, but I am very glad that they did.

Overall, my experience with the CCW/ACLAMO partnership has been great. I wasn't too sure at the beginning what my role would be. It seemed like my role was somewhere between a volunteer and a participant. It was clear that I wouldn't be leading any of the workshops, but I was unsure of how much help would be expected of me. Once I arrived and things got started, I realized I would be more of a support person. At the beginning of the partnership, the kids mostly played with the volunteers. By the last day though, they felt very comfortable playing with the CCW artists. I don't know exactly how those relationships evolved, but I am very glad that they did.

On Thursday a social worker from the women's facility came to talk to us and answer questions. For those that couldn't make the class, I will share some of my notes. These are unedited, but I will try to provide some clarification for those who aren't me. Keep in mind this isn't nearly all of what we discussed though. 

Social Work with the main focus of 

• referrals - connecting the inside out 
• connection with children 

literacy is one of the number one issues- shame, depression, anger, isolation, manipulation 

only 12 seats in "basic" instruction 

hamster wheel (cycle)

Read and listen!

https://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2017/04/06/breaking-news-pa-house-votes-to-restore-mandatory-minimum-prison-sentences-video/

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/Protecting-Immigrant-Students-in-Philadelphia.html