CI 5155

So far my class, Contemporary Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment has been very challenging and interesting. The books we read have definitely caused me to think about the causes of curriculum reform and reasons for certain reforms' successes or failures. Some of the books, especially Against Common Sense: Teaching & Learning Toward Social Justice by Kumashiro, I Won't Learn From You! by Kohl, White Architects Of Black Education by Watkins, and Widening the Circle by Sapon-Shevin, have challenged me to think about hidden (or blatant) curriculum that does not teach the perspectives of all students and undermines the cultural, religious, and other diversity that exist in schools.

We had the opportunity to attend as a class the Hope Collaborative event on June 18th at the Hear of the Beast Theatre. We listened to Eric Mahmoud discuss the success of Harvest Prep Charter School in Minneapolis and also Dr. Lawrence Hernandez from Cesar Chavez Academy in Colorado. It was really interesting to hear how these two schools created success and high achievement-- it seemed the common thread was community, student and parent involvement and commitment.

Partially because of the speakers, and also the fact that I feel "forced" to "hate" charter schools (as a "regular" public school teacher), I am currently researching the effect of charter schools on enrollment in Minneapolis Public Schools on the North Side. I decided to focus on the North Side since I live there, and the achievement gap in that area is the largest in the Minneapolis school district. Soon I will post some links to a variety of sources that offer differing perspectives on charter schools, their effectiveness, and how they affect enrollment in MPS on the North Side.