While viewing information from the Harlem Children’s Zone website, I became particularly interested in the Promise Academy Programs. Honestly, this interest was only stemmed from the fact that Memphis also has a charter school called Promise Academy. After reading about this program, I found it to be a phenomenal learning experience for the children. These children spend an average of 10 hours a day in school year around. They are provided with healthy meals, medical and dental care, as well as an above and beyond education as the third grade test scores show. In 2008 100% of the students were at or above grade level on the math assessment. How amazing! This made me think hard about how this is possible in a charter program, but is often a struggle in many of our countries public schools. What is it that Harlem Children’s Zone is doing that the public school system is not? Would it help if we were year around school or had longer days? These are my concerns because even a charter school that is free of charge will have limits to the number of children receiving that service. What about the children it can not serve? How can we help them better their future? I am a huge supporter of Harlem Children’s Zone and wish that such a program would be assessable to all children without parents waiting in long lines, having names drawn from a hat or generated system, or paying. Looking at this site I can see how economists, neuroscientists, and politicians support the field of Early Childhood especially with this program in Harlem. Many programs in this organization correlate with health and well being which local medical personnel provide for the families showing their dedication to the field. Many previously city owned building have now be converted into tenant owned co-ops. While this may not be a direct correlation to the Early childhood field, it does show the local governments dedication to bettering the lives of families which often includes young children. Scrolling to the bottom of this site a quote from the New York Times was included. “The objective is to create a safety net woven so tightly that children just can’t slip through.” This is a quote that has been left in my mind. Children come to us with so many different stressors in their lives. Sometimes these stressors become to much and children fall, and struggle getting up and back on track. However, if we create a community that is so connected in every way that children will get all the need, we could help keep them on track as they grow into adults. Could creating such a net be the answer?
Hey Jo!
ReplyDeleteI was checking to see how you are coming along with making contacts in other countries. I know alot of out classmates are having a hard time. You have placed some really good information on the Harlem Children's Zone website.
Alice Jones
Thank you Alice. I have a wonderful contact and former classmate in South America and one in Prague. I am learning so much from thm.
ReplyDeleteJo Ann: I think that schools should extend the school year and have longer hours. This is one of the arguments that Canada presented during this argument. He mentioned that in order to close the achievement gap between children that are affected by poverty and those that are not affected by poverty educators must be paid more money for their qualifications; then he mentioned that educators must be willing to work longer hours and teach school year round. I agree with Canada. I believe the achievement gap can be eliminated if we all work hard to achieve it! Thanks for sharing your post.
ReplyDeleteI know my children may not agree with me but thought of having them in a structured environment year round sounds wonderful. I see from a parents point of view and that would make it so the children have much less time to get into trouble and learning things from that world that will only bring harm. Children will learn early what it will be like when they are in the work force and not able to take 3 months off. Imagine the amount of information they can learn during that time besides the fact their minds will be given the opportunity to forget everything they have been taught. Children now work for the school year and during the typically regress because their mind are not stimulated during the summer. Thank you for your post :)
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