School Systems - Equity and Excellence

School systems in the cape of Africa, located in North West Africa, are very diverse.  My personal contact,  Nicky, owner and director of an early childhood center, describes the situation as improving!  On the cape of South Africa, there are three distinct groups of people, living in three distinct neighborhoods.  Therefore, there are three levels of quality in South African schools, which are inequitable. 

 

The schools in the poorer black areas are very overcrowded.  There is standing room only for many students.  Books and supplies are sparse, and must be shared by students.  Teachers are often illiterate, and provide a poor quality of education for the children enrolled.  The children in these schools come from very poor neighborhoods, often living in homes made of cardboard and plastic.  Health benefits, food, and basic necessities are lacking. 

The schools in the coloured (mixed race) neighborhoods, are overcrowded, however every child will usually have a place to sit.  Books and supplies are often outdated, but are available.  Teachers are usually literate, and provide a mediocre quality of education for the children enrolled.  The children in these schools come from low income neighborhoods, often living in run down homes.  Basic necessities are usually available, as are basic health benefits.

The schools in the white neighborhoods are not overcrowded.  Classrooms are adequately provided with supplies, and class sizes are small.  Teachers are well qualified, and provide a quality education.  Children living in these areas live in nice homes, have all basic necessities, and good health care.   

In the past 20 years, some families have chosen to move between neighborhoods.  There have been some coloured and black families move into the more affluent neighborhoods, and a few white and coloured families move to the less affluent neighborhoods!  Schools are becoming more racially mixed.  The school systems in most areas have not changed, and are still offering very unequitable educations to the children of Western Africa.

On another note, I have been discussing the Australian school system with Susan D., who describes a much different picture!  Australian schools are much more equitable than those in the cape of Africa.  Each state in Australia has different, yet similar standards.  Education is well funded by the government, class sizes countrywide are small, supplies are abundant, and teachers are well qualified.

In the United States, the school system is NOT equitable.  In my local area, families compare school districts prior to settling in an area.  One school district will have a great reputation, while another is known for failing students and low quality teachers.  The favored school district offers two swimming pools, music instruments, art classes, computer access, and much more.  The lower quality school is cutting out all art and music classes due to a budget shortfall.  Often, teachers who are new graduates will work in the poor school district to gain experience, and then move on to a better job.  Some teachers in the area will not even accept a job in the lower class school districts because of the increased violence.  Police walk the halls, and metal detectors are at each entrance in the lower class school district.       

 

References

Teachers College, Columbia University. (2009). Early childhood care and education: Worldwide challenges and progress. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 11, 1–44. Retrieved from http://www.tc.edu/cice/Issues/11.00/PDFs/11_Introduction.pdf

Kagan, S. L. (2009). American early childhood education: Preventing or perpetuating inequity? (Equity Matters: Research Review No. 3). Retrieved from Campaign for Educational Equity website: http://www.equitycampaign.org/i/a/document/9833_EquityMatters_Kagan_Final.pdf

Sharing Resources! Zero-to-Three!

The Zero to Three website published an article titled Supporting Young Children During the Holidays.  This article is full of important information, and is an excellent resource for every parent, teacher, and care provider.  The article explains how the increased holiday tension and stress, even if joyful, can be overwhelming to a young child.   While mentioning structure and routines, family depression and joy, shopping and late nights, a military undertone is taken.  The support of military and their families is a large part of this article.  The article ends with ideas on the inclusion of military parents, stationed far from home.  

The articles on autism are very controversial, and cause me some concern.  An article titled This Issue and Why It Matters, asks if autism is more prevalent today, or if we just recognize the symptoms more often?  The article also discusses screening at an early age, using a lack of speech skills as an indicator.  A lack of speech skills can be a symptom of so many different syndromes!  The article also states that it has been recommended that all children be screened for autism at the ages of 18 and 24 months.  I feel that all children should be watched for developmental delays and physical illnesses.  I do not agree that all children should be screened for every illness.  Is autism so prevalent that all children must be tested?  Should all children be tested for every well known syndrome?  Will this testing be performed on all children, or just on those that have good insurance?  Will children in poverty be tested?  Do children raised in poverty have a higher incidence of autism?  The article by K. Drummond finds that autism is more prevalent in families not living in poverty.  Are children living in poverty being counted in the autism statistics?  Autism is a very controversial topic, with many unknown answers. 

The Zero to Three website is promoting a Birth to Five Agenda.  Searching the website will provide you with numerous articles on the topic.  The agenda encourages communities and businesses to become active participants in early childhood education.  Politically, very little information seems to exist on the topic of the Birth to Five Agenda.  A few sites mention the existence of the agenda, however most seem to avoid the subject.  Most of the political information found concerns the reelection prospects of politicians that notice the ECE field.  NueroScientists dominate the Zero to Three website.  The site offers many avenues of scientific research and documentation.  The science supports the Birth to Five agenda, and gives politicians and economists the necessary data to plan and develop programs for children.

I enjoyed the section on development of four to six month old children.  The section is very detailed, with examples, strategies, and activity ideas.  Since my grandson is four months old, and I have two children of this age group in my child care, I was able to relate to the article.  The article contained sections titles If Baby Could Talk, which related possible thoughts.  This section was particularly interesting!  I also liked the section on recognizing your child’s personality.  It is fun to understand baby’s personality, and imagine him/her as an older child!  

References

Powers, S. (2008). This Issue and Why It Matters. Retrieved from  http://main.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/ZTT28-4_mar_08.pdf?docID=7246 

Drummond, K. (2010).  Does Poverty Fend Off Autism?  Retrieved from http://www.aolnews.com/2010/09/22/does-poverty-fend-off-austism 

INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS

Nicky, an owner and director of a child care center on the Western Cape of  South Africa, has agreed to be an email partner!   She bought a failing preschool, and turned the building into a child care center.  Her center provides care for children ages 2 through 6, and a few after school children through 4^th grade.  Her total enrollment is 72 children, divided into three classes.  She has about 20 years of early childhood experience.

Nicky tells of the people of South Africa.  She comments on the three races in her country.  The Blacks, the Colours, and the Whites.  Colours are mixed race people.  The Blacks live mainly in squatter camps, where no White person would dare go.  The camps are not segregated, but very few others live there.  The camps are huge, and surround major airports.  Homes are constructed of scraps, cardboard, plastic, newspaper, almost anything.  There are also many poor White people, who live in low income areas, and are not as noticeable, since there are not as many as the huge number of poor blacks.  About 20 years ago, schools were de-segregated.  That is when Nicky began her teaching career.  There is a school for each neighborhood, and since people generally live within their own socio-economic class, the schools now considered classist instead of  racist.  Some are very poor, attended mostly by the Black and Coloured children.   Often, the classes are so large that there is standing room only.  Many of the teachers are illiterate.  Other schools are more modern, mostly attended by the Whites.  These schools are well funded, have qualified teaching staff, and manageable class sizes.  The predominant language taught is all schools is English.  There are about 11 different African languages spoken by the blacks in their homes.  Nicky’s preschool is in a city, and she has a mix of cultures and races attending.  She has Black, Coloured, and White children, Christian and Moslem, mostly English speaking.  Recently, she has had an influx of immigrant Black, French speaking Nigerian children.  When I asked Nicky about the starvation and poverty that we, as Americans, hear about on the news from Africa, she commented that it does not exist in her country.  She also stated that she cannot deny the stories we hear.

I have also created a contact with a person from Australia.  Her name is Susan, and she works for the Department for Communities in Western Australia.  She notes that Australian citizens have a public health system which covers basic health and hospital care.  The current contentious political issue is the immigration of illegal arrivals on boats from Indonesia, carrying people from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and other Middle Eastern countries.  Australia’s immigration policy encourages the migration of skilled workers entering under the normal process.  There are currently labor shortages in some industries, and migration is a way to search for more skilled laborers.  The school system has had an ESL system in place for about 30 years.  The child care sector has had an Ethnic Resource Unit since the 1980’s.  The systems provide an interpreter service where necessary for any immigrant, and one on one support for the children for a number of weeks until they are settled in child care or school.  These systems also provide cultural advice and multicultural resources for service staff.  Australia is not currently in a recession, as the government acted very quickly at the beginning of the world crisis.  Banks were regulated, and citizens have not suffered financial woes.       

These two contacts are very similar, yet very different.  Both are professionals, and both are knowledgeable about the early childhood field.  However, the countries that these individuals reside in are vastly different.  I will be interested to compare and contrast the information I receive from both these knowledgeable women, and to see how our country compares!    

ONLINE WEB RESOURCE

Zero-To-Three

The National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families

Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization.  The organization trains, informs, and supports policymakers, professionals, and parents in an effort to improve the lives of children.  Zero to Three is a very informational site, and is an excellent resource with information on a variety of topics.  The website can be found at www.zerotothree.org.

When viewing the home page, you will notice a number of options.  Three different online newsletters are available, with easy sign up requirements.  I signed up for them, but have yet to receive them.   A policy network is available for membership, to voice advocacy efforts.  My personal favorite spot on the home page is called Find It Fast.  You can drag a list of many topics, choose one, and find endless amounts of information!  I entered the topic “Immigration”, and immediately could view several articles related to the subject.

Did you ever hear of a baby brain map?  On the home page of the Zero to Three website you will discover a link to this unique type of map!  Once on the mapping page, you can select an age and see the parts of the brain currently under development.  Click on the brain segments, and see questions, tips, and comments on brain development!

I found some information on diversity within the Zero to Three website.  I also found information on immigration, English as a Second Language, and culture.  One California based article, titled Overview of Roots of Decline:  How Government Policy ahs De-Educated Teachers of Young Children, I found very interesting.  This article related immigration to the downfall of teachers in Early Childhood Education.  According to the article, the influx of young children into the system caused a high demand in a very short period of time.  Early Childhood programs were forced to take quantity over quality.  With a lack of qualified teachers available, standards were lowered, and less qualified teachers were hired.

  

Reference

Bellm, D. and Whitebook, M. (2005). Overview of Roots of Decline:  How Government Policy has De-Educated Teachers of Young Children.  Retrieved from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/Professional_Development_PP.pdf?docID=5068  

Worldwide Professional Contacts

A worldwide contact sounds like an interesting and educational idea!  However, when I researched the course recommended sites, and contacted several places, I heard no responses.  Therefore, I set off on my own to find a worldwide contact!  I quickly noticed the language barrier, and therefore tried to locate English speaking countries.  I emailed Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, Greece, Thailand, and Iceland.

I contacted the Blue Balloon Preschool and Daycare Centre in South Africa.  The Principal/Owner agreed to correspond with me during this course.  I found the Blue Balloon Preschool by performing a daycare directory search on Google.

I also contacted OECDL, the Office of Early Childhood Development and Learning, in Australia.  The Senior Project Officer referred me to the Department of Communities.  This department oversees the child care sector in Western Australia.   I will be interacting with a contact in this department, who has graciously offered to be my contact. 

The web site I have chosen to study the Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families website.    This website seems to address many topics relevant to the early childhood teacher, as well as the parents of the children in care.  The articles are written in a way that is parent friendly, and also very informative for early childhood staff.  The website covers a wide variety of topics, and is an excellent resource.

My Supports

Support is the framework that keeps a person upright, keeps them from falling.  It is the love of a family, the concern of a co-worker, the hug of a child.

I receive daily support from the children in my early learning facility.  I receive smiles and hugs daily, creating a happy, smiling atmosphere no matter what the daily dilemma may be.  I receive support from my staff, they are always ready to assist with that daily dilemma.  After work, I retreat to the solitude of my life with my husband, who supports my day by ensuring a relaxing evening.  These supports help me stay happy and carefree.  Without them, what would I smile about?

I am a list person.  I have a list for everything, they are my daily supports.  They build the framework of my day.  I have lists for daily curriculum, daily tasks, groceries, staff responsibilities, everything!  After completing a task, I cross it off of my list.  This gives me a sense of accomplishment.  If I did not have my list, I would be lost!  I would be unorganized!  I would be stressed!

I am also a planner.  I have plans for today, tomorrow, next week, and five years from now!  They are, of course, written in a list format!  The support I receive by planning the future, as far as is possible, gives me a feeling of control over my life.   If I did not have plans, what would my future be?  I cannot sit back and see what happens, or nothing may happen!

My husband supports me by working at the child care performing errands, buying groceries, cleaning, and keeping records.  He also completes most of the housework, freeing me up for other tasks.  Without him, I would turn into a work-a-holic!  I would have more work to accomplish, and less time to rest and relax!

My daughter supports me by working with me at the child care.  She covers for me when I must leave for an appointment, or if I have a much deserved but rare vacation day planned.  She has also provided me with three wonderful grandsons and a son-in-law!  These additions to the family are a wonderful support!  My daughter is my best friend.  We can talk to each other about anything.  Without her, I would be lost and alone!

In the near future, I will be inheriting the care of my older sister, who is turning 60 years old.  She has the mental age of 3 years old.  I will need many supports when this occurs.  First of all, I will need my home rearranged.  I will need to create a bedroom!  Space will be very tight.  I am hoping to be able to have enough money to add on a room, but am unsure that will happen.  If possible, I will ask for support from my son-in-law and his father, who are able to add the spare room for me.  Next, I will have to have support for the daily duties of my current position at the child care, located in another portion of my home.  I am hoping that my current staff will be able to handle the additional duties and run the child care while I am spending time with my sister.  My husband will have to support the new addition to the family, help with her, and learn to accommodate the many physical and social changes that will be necessary.  He will have to learn to live with the prejudice and intolerance which exists in the world.  Without these supports, life with my sister will be very difficult.  These supports will be necessary in order to survive!  Will I have my teaching degree before this happens?  I hope to be able to use the extra money from teaching for the home addition, to pay off my mortgage, and to make partial retirement possible.  When will I become responsible for my sisters care?  Will I also have an elderly parent  or two to assist?  How will we fit everyone in our home?  How will I run the childcare?  How will I complete my education if this happens sooner rather than later?  I will need supports to help me plan, supports to help with daily needs, and supports for emotional support.  The most important support I will need will be that of my husband, who will help me to relax!