Comments on: The Unasked Question

By: Karen Chichester

Karen Chichester — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:45:41 +0000

I think that we as educators do not articulate well the reason that education is important especially when talking to low income parents. In Michigan, many blue collar workers didn’t graduate from high school and managed to get high paying union jobs. Their children have told me, “My dad didn’t graduate and he ‘s done really well, co why should I graduate.” Often their parents believe the same thing. unless we can get this attitude to change, I doubt we’ll make much headway.

I have wanted to ask my students this question for a while but i haven’t had the guts. you inspired me to ask. so I gave my students this as part of their weekly blogging assignment

Not all responded, but most did. Their unedited responses are posted on their individual blogs. I also blogged on this on my

By: Stacy

Stacy — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:44:08 +0000

I’ve asked this question to students before and the answers practically made me quit. It definitely made me question what I do (but on a more positive note it made me improve as a teacher). One response I received that I don’t think is listed here is that school helps the brain develop and that will lead to better performance in whatever you do later in life. I was pretty pleased with that response.

Whenever possible I try to design activities that are flexible and allow students to construct their own learning agendas. Am I very successful at doing that? Doubtful. But, I’m trying!

As far as activities, maybe have the students brainstorm all the ways they benefit from school and all the ways they don’t. See which list is longer. Follow that with the best question of all, “How can we make school better?”

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:41:13 +0000

I asked my AVID students that question about a month ago because if they can’t answer that question then they shouldn’t be in AVID. It was literally like pulling teeth to get there answers, but some honest ones that came forth were “it’s better than being at home,” “I think school will make it harder to become homeless,” and “at least at school I can use a computer.” After yesterday’s “professional development” I feel like teachers in general see school as a mean of imparting wisdom to students, but most of what is done seems to be a useless in this day and age. In talking with someone this morning I know ext semester I am going to try the model of assigning students a topic to research and rather than doing any direct instruction I am going to teach them how to use the tools available. We’ll see if it crashes and burns!

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:11:01 +0000

Yes, unfortunately “to score well on the CST” seems to be a common answer or at least mind set among educators right now. The stakes are so high, especially for teachers who teach math and language arts. The only educators who have the opportunity to ask this question are the ones who aren’t teaching these subjects. Ironically, while these scores are immensely important for teachers and school officials, they hold little or no value for students.

By: Brian Bridges

Brian Bridges — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:19:12 +0000

The “elephant” is there, but will be ignored by the current structure, who believes the real reason to attend school is to pass the CST and qualify for a college they can’t afford to attend, or, worse, is limiting enrollment due to budget cuts.

The question, “why are we here” is a dangerous one to the current structure, but a completely relevant one to the revolution that’s coming. in the years ahead, schools will face increasing competition from e-learning and computer-based learning companies that will offer courses and services that schools are unable or unwilling to offer. Schools are the next GM.

Brian