#7: Standards and Accountability

My cooperating teacher addresses the standards by having a consistent schedule in which she fits in a part of each standard every day. She has a time of the day where she will cover math standards, reading standards, and different art standards. She combines reading and social studies standards into the same assignments--such as a reading and writing assignment about the lives of Iroquois Indians. My teacher seems to use her time wisely in order to most effectively cover all of the standards.

Reading subject matter standards seem to be given more emphasis than others. However, this seems to be more because of her class's difficulty in meeting these standards. I don't quite see as many of the science standards being covered in the classroom. Part of this may be because I don't attend the full class, but the schedule also doesn't have a designated time for science. However, I don't see all of their assignments, so there may be some where standards are combined. My teacher understands the reasons behind the standards and standardized testing. But, like most teachers, she occasionally becomes stressed about all of the things that are required of her. I think that she does an exceptional job of realistically helping her students reach these standards.

#6: Diversity in Today's Schools

In my service-learning classroom, there is diversity regarding race, economic class, and family life. My teacher addresses them by treating all of her students equally. She doesn't choose favorites based on any of the differences possessed by her students.

This treatment is beneficial because she does not judge her students by their backgrounds. She expects all of them to accomplish the same amount of progress as the others. She holds them all to the same standard, and it empowers some of them to reach above the standards that may have been set for them by society.

There is one student who was not raised in America, and he is the only one who receives slightly different treatment. However, the only difference is the extra time that my teacher takes to help him understand the concepts (because of cultural knowledge that he lacks). He is still expected to succeed in the classroom and he is treated the same as the rest of the students, he just receives some assistance in cultural context.