Should Schools Teach Character

Should Schools Teach Character Americas schools are having a difficult time simply teaching students how to be proficient in reading, math and science. Thats why many schools completely ignore teaching basic character skills. Most schools do not effectively teach behavioral skills and proper attitudes/manners like cooperating, being on time, making eye-contact, speaking persuasively, etc, argues Jay Mathews in an article in the Washington Post. Some schools are trying to incorporate these basic skills into education, a practice known as character education; however, many schools are still ignoring them. Very few schools have actually made progress in character education, argues Mathews. Mathews cited a study in social and emotional learning (SEL education) that trains students to act and think in positive ways. The study suggested that strong SEL education can create better student achievement. However, the data does not yet measure effects on students lives and work after high school graduation. Students in social and emotional learning classes improved their test scores and grades by 11 percent, compared to similar students in standard classrooms without SEL education, according to the Impact of Enhancing Students Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions study, by Joseph A. Durlak and Kriston B. Schellinger of Loyola University Chicago and Roger P. Weissberg, Allison B. Dymnicki and Rebecca D. Taylor of the University of Illinois at Chicago. The authors of the study determined that these results were significant. They also found that students in SEL education have better social skills, less emotional distress, less misbehavior (bullying or suspensions), more positive behavior and ultimately better attitudes. These effects continued for six months after the programs ended. SEL programs are successful at all educational levels (elementary, middle and high school) and in urban, suburban, and rural schools, although they have been studied least often in high schools and in rural areas, reads the study, according to the Washington Post. The authors stated the SEL education helps students become more confident in their learning, and thus try harder and rarely give up on more challenging concepts or classes. SEL education students are also self-motivated, setting high academic goals and constructing a personal, effective approach to learning. Other studies are contradictory. One from the Institute of Education Sciences suggests that seven of the most popular SEL education programs did not produce significant social or academic gains. Another study, the Child Development Report, suggested similar results, also stating that SEL education does not necessarily produce better attitudes and behavior. SEL education produces better results in smaller classrooms, especially when a teacher takes on the approach for one class, according to Mathews. School-wide comprehensive programs are more complicated to implement, causing problems and limiting their positive effects.

English Conversation Class Immigration and Emigration

English Conversation Class Immigration and Emigration Last weeks topic for our group English conversation class about travel naturally led us to a conversation about immigration and emigration. They are complicated topics, with potentially different meanings to different people.For some, immigration immediately brings to mind illegal immigration. This isnt just an issue between the U.S. and its neighbors to the south. When Teauna and I lived in Argentina, people were concerned about the illegal immigration of people from neighboring countries, such as Bolivia and Paraguay. While we lived in Argentina, we overstayed our visa by a few months, technically making us illegal immigrants for a short time.Both legal and illegal immigration bring a lot of issues. Whether youre from the U.S., Argentina, or almost any other country, I suspect that there are people who blame illegal and legal immigrants for economic and social problems. There are others who argue that immigration has positive benefits, such as bringing in more workers, and new idea s and culture.Emigration is also   interesting. In some countries, people talk about brain drains, i.e., when the most intelligent people from a developing country flee for more developed countries at the first opportunity. In the Americas most people have a history of emigration in their background.If you have already taken a group conversation class with us, you will receive your invitation to the class via email on Wednesday morning. If you havent taken a conversation class with us yet, click here to register.A few questions to think about for the class:How have immigration and emigration affected you personally?How have they affected your familys history?How does it affect your country? Your city?Are immigrants treated fairly where you live?Do you think immigration is good or bad for your country?Would you ever emigrate to another country?Here is a humorous look at the illegal immigration issue from the U.S. satiric news show, The Colbert Report:The Colbert ReportMon Thurs 11:3 0pm / 10:30cImmigration Protestswww.colbertnation.comColbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical Humor Satire BlogVideo Archive Euzeli Santos Jr. Interesting text and discussion about immigration and emigration. I just believe that people who are against the immigration forgot who they are, they are also decedents of immigrants. For instance, in US, whats the percentage of the real american people, maybe just the Indians could be considered as americans (real native people) Think about that!