Blog Post 9/ What do Good Schools Look Like?

 

Good schools visibly value students and their accomplishments. Teachers should know each student's name and greet them and ask them about their day when they see them in the hallway. Student's projects and artwork should be proudly displayed around the building.

 

 

Good Schools offer a certain flexibility to students. On a large scale, I don't believe it would be beneficial to offer students the kind of freedom and flexibility offered by Summerhill. With the option of whether to attend class or not, too many students would choose not to. Instead, students can be given a certain freedom and flexibility in choosing their schedule. Schools that provide a large range of electives allow students to specify classes to their particular skills and interests.

 

Good schools have small class sizes. I agree with the view Meier states on page 148, that class size should be near twenty students. Smaller classes enable greater learning. Students can participate in class discussions instead of listening to teachers lecture. Small class sizes also allow for the development of a stronger relationship between individual students and the teacher.

 

Good schools have a visible presence in the community. Good schools serve as a point of unity for a community.  Good schools hold dinners and other functions to unite the community. They also encourage students to work on service projects throughout the community.

 

Good schools are based on and display a respect for teachers, students, and the power of learning and education. I espouse this view as does Meier (147). Good schools should be clean and well kept. Good schools should empower both teachers and students. Teachers should have greater autonomy and control over curriculum and other decisions. Teachers should treat students with respect instead of talking to them as though they are ignorant inferiors.

 

As noted by Ayers, good schools are based on a set of explicit core values (100). These values, regardless of what they are, should be posted in a mission statement throughout the school. I think John Carroll does a great job of implementing its core values in the education of its students. Core values are important because the provide guidance to students.

 

Good schools have a diverse student body. I think diversity is central to achieving a good school. My high school was very homogeneous. Almost all students were white Christians. I believe that my school's lack of diversity caused me to miss out on important opportunities to learn about other cultures. My school often talked about diversity and read about other cultures. I believe I was denied a true understanding of diversity and other cultures because I wasn't able to actively experience it. Racial and cultural diversity bring different perspectives to the classroom and thus enriches learning. Diverse schools also prevent the unequal distribution of resources to different racial and economic groups.

 

Good schools utilize active learning. An observer exploring a good school will not see children sitting in desks inactively and blankly staring at their teacher. Good schools utilize hands on activities and group discussions and projects in order to encourage students to ask questions, think critically, and form their own opinions.