Reflection:
After reading the article Literacy with an Attitude by Patrick J. Finn, I was not too surprised by the information that was given. In my mind, it is common knowledge that based on your background, where you grow up, and your social class, your education will be vastly different. I grew up in Cumberland, and where I went for elementary school would be considered affluent/upper middle-class. When reflecting on my learning experiences when I was in school, compared to what I witness and hear during my volunteer work with inspiring minds, is remarkably different. The school I'm at is lower‐income and economically disadvantaged, which puts it into the working-class category. The two hours I observe and work hands-on with the students, I think, are crucial to building a bond with them and creating a space for them to rely on me (if they want or need to). I can understand why some of the students are not progressing to their potential, which my service learning teacher and I discuss a lot. My elementary school made sure all of its students lived up to their potential and had opportunities. I'm not sure of what goes on in the students' actual classrooms (I'm in the art room), but by observing the behaviors, learning difficulties, and the way the overall staff and teachers speak to these students, is baffling to me. Connecting this back to the reading, I think the way in which Finn explains each "category" is easily grasped. While I was reading, I kept picturing the school I grew up going to (affluent) compared to the school I volunteer at (working-class). Finn includes many examples of things teachers say or do in each category of schools, which are remarkably similar to the things I hear each time I'm in the classroom volunteering. On October 1st, RIDE announced that the school I volunteer at earned a Blue Ribbon Award for significantly reducing the performance differences between groups of students who, in the past, performed at different levels. For a school in the working-class category, situated in a community facing economic challenges, this recognition is meaningful and impressive, but it doesn't mean the school is without challenges. Data shows that from the 2017-18 school year, it was rated a 1-star school by RIDE's report card (lowest performance in achievement/growth). Overall, the time I've spent at the school has made me more aware of how deeply social class influences educational opportunity. While progress like the Blue Ribbon Award recognition is inspiring, it also reminds me that equity in education is an ongoing effort that requires empathy, awareness, and commitment from everyone involved.
Reflection/Questions/Comments To Share:
Is anyone else having issues/thoughts/concerns with what they observe and hear in their service learning placement? What do you think about it? Do you talk to your service learning teacher about it?
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