tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21843852.post499134325260299718..comments2024-01-04T05:57:26.735-06:00Comments on Education Policy Blog: Hosted by the Forum on the Future of Public Education: A “Crisis Point” for Service Learning?Craig A. Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18160288758906798678noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21843852.post-89431026594403694282009-01-25T17:13:00.000-06:002009-01-25T17:13:00.000-06:00I'm of the same opinion...Study Stuff Downloads fo...I'm of the same opinion...<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.InfoFanz.com" REL="nofollow">Study Stuff Downloads for Brain Hunters</A><BR/><A HREF="http://www.forum.InfoFanz.com" REL="nofollow">Phd & MPhill Discussions over Study problems, new Ideas & Expertise</A><BR/><A HREF="http://www.podcast.InfoFanz.com" REL="nofollow">video and audio podcast and study lectures</A><BR/><A HREF="http://www.photo.InfoFanz.com" REL="nofollow">Download unique photos of personals and landscapes images</A><BR/><A HREF="http://www.chill.InfoFanz.com" REL="nofollow">Chill with Music and a lot of pleasing stuff</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21843852.post-18255983372659354142008-11-20T08:10:00.000-06:002008-11-20T08:10:00.000-06:00It's always good to be skeptical about talk of "cr...It's always good to be skeptical about talk of "crises" in education (if only to avoid "crisis faddism," where reforms only seem like good ideas as long as a problem is on the front-burner of public consciousness). And so teacherken's reminder to look at particular jurisdictions is a good one.<BR/><BR/>However, your attempt to be encouraging about the "room" for service learning left in high school social studies classes is not very encouraging at all. If social studies is being squeezed out of elementary school due to NCLB (and of that I have no doubt), then high school social studies will likely be devoted to covering the basics of American history that tend to represent the "content" of graduation requirements. Focusing attention in high school on these basics, rather than on analysis of the truly difficult task of preserving (or reasserting) democracy, will hardly help "service learning" to be better integrated into subject-matter. <BR/><BR/>By focusing attention at the elementary grades on "basic" (testable) skills, NCLB encourages schools to adopt mindless, non-critical curricula that hardly prepare the US to "compete" internationally or even to maintain our most cherished ideals. It is, in almost every respect, a "dumbing down" regime that continues to press schools into social reproduction rather than education.Craig A. Cunninghamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18160288758906798678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21843852.post-29859701961830744832008-11-19T20:52:00.000-06:002008-11-19T20:52:00.000-06:00Well, it depends on the jurisdiction. In theory, ...Well, it depends on the jurisdiction. In theory, in Prince George's County MD, where I teach, we have service learning embedded within our social studies classes, at least at the high school level. On the other hand, the quality of the tasks that are included in that category really do not seem to me to be meaningful service learning.<BR/><BR/>As far as the relationship with NCLB, a couple of comments.<BR/><BR/>1) yes, there is curricular narrowing because of NCLB, but since states have social studies requirements for graduation from high school and service learning most often goes in those classes, there really is no reason service learning cannot be included. Remember, there is no requirement for testing under NCLB in social studies (which is why some elementary and middle schools are eliminating or reducing social studies instruction - trust me, we see it when they arrive in high school<BR/><BR/>2) there are some serious efforts to ensure that the reuthorization of NCLB ensures that social studies are NOT slighted - remember the effort by Roy Romer and Sandra Day O'Connor for Civic learning. Perhaps those concerned about service learning might consider a connection with that effort.<BR/><BR/>Of course, service learning should not be restricted to social studies, but given the current pressures of testing, that may be the only place we can maintain it.<BR/><BR/>Peace.teacherkenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02225551101423123044noreply@blogger.com