Comments on: SHOULD OUR EXPECTATIONS BE GREATER?

By: lhsielert

lhsielert — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 23:40:14 +0000

Here’s an update I’d like to offer. Nearly four years have passed since the fifty-five Oklahoma City elementary schools were indoctrinated with the Great Expectations educational training program. The following is a report card issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Education for the Oklahoma City Schools. Please, judge for yourself, what the results are: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10151363043897433&set=a.10151285137592433.524173.581782432&type=1&theater

By: Alice Pettit

Alice Pettit — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:47:50 +0000

Great Expectations is one tool teachers may use in a classroom, but it is not the “magic bullet” that will suddenly make all teachers become master teachers and all students excel in the classroom. GE is but ONE tool in the teacher’s toolbox. Teachers, as in other professions, use the tools that are appropriate for the situation. To think that GE is the only tool teachers need is extremely restrictive.
The issue that many veteran teachers have with the GE program is its use by individual districts. Rather than helping teachers who might struggle with classroom organization, discipline, curriculum, etc. GE has become, in some districts, mandatory. Those districts have implemented it as a program that requires teachers who have developed their own comfortable method of teaching to change and use only GE methods in the classroom. I do not believe that Charlie Hollar developed the Great Expectations program to stifle teachers’ creativity, but rather he developed a program to assist those teachers who DID NOT expect great things from their students. Some districts use the GE program to create a “one size fits all” approach to teaching and learning.
Students come to the classroom with diverse abilities, experiences, and upbringing. Similarly, teachers bring diversity of talents and background to the classroom. Teachers must use an assortment of methods that are appropriate to reach each student. Districts should allow teachers to use the best method available to provide an appropriate education for each student. Micromanaging and browbeating teachers into using only one method is not the way to educate all students. Great Expectations is one tool that teachers may use to accomplish the goal of educating all students. However, it is NOT the only tool.

By: Ron Scarbrough

Ron Scarbrough — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:53:20 +0000

Thank you Lisa for asking for my opinion. Your article is very informative. And your Highlighted paragraph at the end of the article so true. My opinion is not very educated but my experience with my daughters education showed me that the more teachers per classroom the better. Most teachers become teachers because they love to help others better themselves. This alone qualifies teachers to lead classrooms and to prepare our students for higher learning. Keep the classes small and give our teachers the freedom to wrap their wings around our children.

By: jnguyen

jnguyen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:41:16 +0000

Sounds like yet another scam company like those radio ads for weight loss pills or male enhancement products. This time it’s a company targeting our schools and children. I certainly do hope the teachers “stand up in an extraordinary way and set an example of well-grounded practice.” I hope they stand up to laws, policies and practices that threaten students and their right to the best education they can possibly have.”

By: Monica Rocha

Monica Rocha — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:46:56 +0000

I believe students from all walks of life learn in numerous ways. Teachers today are highly qualified and should be allowed to decide whether a particular program will fit their students learning capabilities. To state that one program fits all students is like stating “one size fits all”. As a child I had difficulties in learning how to read and was sent to a reading program outside of school. As a highly educated adult, I can read English and Spanish fluently and in the process of self-teaching sign language. To teach is to touch two lives forever.

By: CR

CR — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 23:50:55 +0000

I take offense to funds appropriated to education being spent on this GE program. Why is the OK legislature paying for GE scholarships? If the 53 OKC elementary schools each have around 20 teachers and 2 principals go to these workshops, that’s close to $600,000.00. That’s just one district. I’d like someone to explain to me how this program is nonprofit. “Schools pay a considerable sum to offer GE teacher training. The cost is $500 per teacher to attend the workshop and to obtain consultation days from a GE Mentor ($1,500 per day).The training spans four days and participants can receive two hour college credits for an additional $280.00. Great Expectations is recognized as a nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service.
Scholarship funds must be appropriated by the Oklahoma legislature each year.”

By: Laura Wilhelm Ph. D.

Laura Wilhelm Ph. D. — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 23:09:04 +0000

Thank you Lisa,
I was a teacher in one of the original GE pilot schools. As a program designed to motivate inner-city children, it was met with skepticism from the start. The potential lack of sincerity inherent in the chants and praise, as well as teaching methods that are not consistent with national standards rang alarm bells. All children are sensitive to authentic and “fake” interactions, but in my experience urban children are even savvier. They deserve a respectful classroom climate.
Some of the activities are fun, but I am taken aback each time I enter a GE classroom and all work comes to a halt. The children greet me, then one child is called upon to explain what they are doing. As a guest and observer, I want to be nearly invisible in a classroom, not the focus of attention. It makes me wonder how many other times the learning process is disrupted each day.
Teachers do an amazing job under increasingly hostile conditions. Let’s give them power to do what they know is in the best interest of the children entrusted to their care: lots of tools in their professional toolboxes, and freedom to select the right tool for each job!
Laura Wilhelm, Ed.D.

By: Leslie Salzillo

Leslie Salzillo — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:23:55 +0000

I agree, Lisa – One size can never fit all. Time for GE to have even greater expectations. Thanks for all of the the study and thought you put into this article. Excellent commentary.

By: Judy Dunning

Judy Dunning — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:32:27 +0000

To me, this demonstrates that alternative methods of educating our children must be strongly considered. It is apparent that relying on only one type of educational model would not meet the needs of all children. Even though it takes both the education community and committed parents working together to see that our children develop the learning skills they need, it is vital that society evaluate the current education system and see what modifications or wholesale changes may be made to best serve our children.

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Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:27:01 +0000

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