Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program
Education
Books:
Why School? Reclaiming School for All of Us
Author Mike Rose, a professor in the UCLA Graduate School of Education, articulates that many of the problems in education and intelligence, are the rhetoric surrounding both, which reduce “the purpose of schooling to economic competitiveness, [and diminish] our kids… [to] economic indicators.” Rose proposes an education system that embraces critical thinking skills, which are applied in academic and labor intensive fields, a system that provides meaningful opportunities to current and returning students, including senior citizens and veterans. This book argues that education instills values into the student, and “helps us make sense of the world and find our way in it.” To purchase this book, follow this link: http://www.amazon.com/Why-School-Reclaiming-Education-All/dp/1595589384
The End of Education: Redefining the Value of School
Neil Postman, an American author, media theorist and cultural critic, redefines our modern “school problem" into two dimensions. One is the engineering aspect: the means by which young people acquire an education. The other is the metaphysical aspect which encompasses the underlying purpose or mission, or the “end” of education. Postman argues that without gods, there is no purpose to schooling or no common narrative. As a result, the United States must find its god in the midst of the false gods of Economic Production, Consumership, and Technology, which negatively shape and change the purpose of schooling. Postman offers insightful ways to rethink our relationship towards education, and provides meaning to schooling. To Purchase this book follow this link: http://www.amazon.com/The-End-Education-Redefining-School/dp/0679750312
Confessions of a Bad Teacher: The Shocking Truth From the Frontlines of American Public
This book showcases the constant struggles teachers face everyday in the classroom from difficult students and unfair expectations from administrators. The author John Owens, who was rated by his principle as an unsatifactory and forced to leave the profession of teaching, explains some of the short falls of the current education system. With firsthand accounts from teachers across the country and tips for improving public schools, Confessions of a Bad Teacher is an eye-opening call-to-action to embrace our best educators and create real reform for our children's futures.
http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Bad-Teacher-Shocking-Education/dp/1402281005
The Smartest Kids in the World
And How They Got that Way
Amanda Ripley writes an engaging text that goes behind the lines and into the classroom to understand how countries have produced the smartest kids in the world. Ripley follows students to Findland, South Korea, and Poland and analyzes the educational systems of said countries. Ripley discusses a variety of topics from teachers, to the student's culture, and how those might affect the students performance. To purchase this text, go to this link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451654421/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A753PQYOBF67Y
Articles:
Why our Children Don't Think There are Moral Facts
This is a facinating article that addresses the way in which children in gradeschool are being taught that there are no moral truths because of the difference between facts and opinions. However, Justin McBrayer argues that this way of teaching affects students beyond gradeschool, and in fact the stakes are greater when adults must exercise their moral knowledge and reasoning to conduct themselves in the society. To read this article, follow this link:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/02/why-our-children-dont-think-there-are-moral-facts/
The Movement to Put a Church in Every School Is Growing: How Evangelicals Are Taking Advantage of Publically Funded Spaces
This article is interesting because it offers an opposing view to increasing the church's role in our local education systems. Although this article discusses a particular district in Florida where a Church holds its services in the school, this article also touches on community partnerships that potentially go too far and offend people. You can find this article here: http://www.thenation.com/article/195105/movement-put-church-every-school-growing#
A Local Pastor Turned Public School Champion
This article offers a positive view to the previous article by featuring a pastor from Richmond, Virginia, who talks about his impact on his local educational district. This pastor works on the board of education, and he encourages other Christians and churches to be involved in a community partnership at the local school. The pastor, Don Coleman, says, ""As a community we have to do a better job of rescuing these young people. It isn't their fault that they're in a challenging situation." This article looks at several ways churches can be more involved. To read this article follow this link here:
Why Broad Support For Preschool Wasn't Enough To Pass A State-Funded Pre-K Pilot
This article does a great job of looking at the Indiana Pre-K Pilot that would fund preschool programs around the state. However, Indiana voted against this pilot, making it one of eleven states that does not fund preschool education. For more information on why Indiana doesn't fund preschool education, paths to quality preschool ratings, and the potential of Indiana financing preschool education in the future, then follow this cite:
