Class Update: 3/15/11

Today in SPED 200 Dr. Johnson started the hour by giving us our quiz on chapters 3, 4, and 5. She told us to take out a piece of paper, but do not write our names on it. This quiz turned out to be an anonymous evaluation of our honesty. She wanted an honest answer if we had read the material before she informed us about the quiz, as everyone was instructed to do. She called it her system of check and balance. Therefore, I guess if enough of the class told her honestly that they had not read the material, then we should be expecting future quizzes on the chapters in our text, Introduction to Education.

Next, she informed us that we would be watching a video called "Unequal Education: Failing our Children". This video compares the life of two seventh grade students, and the differences between their schools, which are only a couple miles apart. This video ties in with chapter six, Education in the United States, history and current education today.

After the video Dr. Johnson talked about how even today, we still have the same problem in education that we have had in the United States for the last three decades, unequal education. The low income and minority students are the ones being left behind due to the federally mandated law "No Child Left Behind. This is an ethical debate that no one seems to have the answer.

Dr. Johnson also recommended that we look at the Minnesota Department of Education website. This will be an important site to be familiar with as future teachers.