The Retired Educator

Yesterday, I saw a 3:29  minute video on CNN about Kyle Anderson, the Program Director of the U.S. based Greater Hartford Male Youth Leadership program in Connecticut. What an amazing approach that we could certainly use in some of Canada’s larger urban centres. It’s emphasis is all about mentorship and professionalism (e.g., the young men dress in formal shirt and tie) as a means to inspiring today’s young men to be tomorrow’s leaders.

How do they do it? Here is a paragraph from the website’s introductory message from Mr. Anderson:

“The men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Hartford Alumni Chapter has taken on the charge of planning an annual leadership program. This program is a collaboration with local fraternities, sororities, mentor groups, educators, church youth organizations and parents. We believe our efforts will make a positive impact on the lives of our participants. This program is designed to develop leadership skills and in turn these young men can be positive role models in their community. Coming together for the success of our future leaders’ shows ‘with common goals and the grace of God, all things are possible.’ “

So, it seems to me that high expectations do seem to make a difference in young male lives and that where public and private institutions and people come together.

Originally published on January 18th, 2008, it is posted again on March 14th, 2010.

To begin with, dyslexia, like all learning disabilities, can be very complicated. So, what I plan to do is write a series of three articles that will help children, teens and adults who are still in school or adults who are dealing with work and everyday life situations. The various posts could also help teachers at all levels of the learning spectrum. The topics will cover:

1. What dyslexia is and what can be done,
2. Using a tape-recorder to enhance reading, and
3. Strategies & technical aids (that can be used in school or everyday situations).

This is not an academic exercise. This is simply by a blogger who also happens to be a retired educator who previously worked with children and adults who have this problem. What I write will be completely based on a college level textbook I personally wrote which was published back in the early 1990’s. Therefore, since the content is copyright material, should any person or association want to link to these series of posts, they would need to give me credit. Moreover, should any person or association want to use the material in any other way, they would need to contact “Admin” at this site via the Contact Form.
Click here to continue reading [...]

First posted on December 9th, 2009 and updated recently, my thanks to U.S. based academics Drs. Howard Margolis and Gary Brannigan for featuring my article on “How to write a college/university essay.“That acknowledgment is very much appreciated.

I would encourage regular readers to check out their site and their recent book at this link, as well as my review about that book. Also, a hat tip to a reader using the handle “Anti-Spin” for his or her suggestions in a comment on the original “essay” thread — which led to the most recent revisions.

For some time now, I have had Brad W’s blog on my list of “education” favourites. Brad is a high school English teacher somewhere in Ontario. His site is professional, precise, thorough and technologically advanced. In other words, his students and colleagues are lucky to have him.

Anyway, for educators and English literature students everywhere, it’s called “The Lamppost” and can be found at www[dot]thelamppost[dot]ca/blog.

Update: For some unknown reason, I have been receiving a great deal of comment spam attached to this particular thread. As such, comments were initially turned off, but turned back on March 12th. However, visitors will still have to type in “The Lamppost” URL manually.

While there is no doubt most parents and childcare providers in Ontario’s larger centres are delighted with the pending full-day junior and senior kindergarten program — usually referred to as the “Early Learning Program” or ELP – many in smaller and rural communities are not.

Why? Because, whether intentional or not, the ELP will:

1. Put hundreds of private and regional subsidized daycare centres out of business;
2. Mean huge Early Childhood Educator (ECE) job losses that won’t necessarily be translated into ELP positions, and
3. Result in parents actually having fewer childcare choices than they have now.

For example, read this article by Scott Dunn in the Owen Sound Sun Times. The title says it all: “Parents, care providers dislike kindergarten change — Bluewater Board plan criticized for making scheduling more difficult” (h/t Catherine).

Now, I am not against the ELP per se. Most parents I have talked to are excited about it. My problem is its universal nature and the timing of its implementation –  a time when there should be a freeze on new spending rather than spending on new, plush programs.

However, as is usually the case with anything the McGuinty Liberal government does, it’s full speed ahead and damn the torpedos regardless of a $25 billion and ever climbing deficit. Instead, the government has committed to spending taxpayers dollars they don’t have on a long-term program that will involve highly paid unionized workers — and all that implies.

I came across this post yesterday at one of my favourite blogs – Ivory Tower Blues (ITB)  – by two Ontario professors. They and I have been complaining for some time now that far too many of today’s post-secondary students are completely unprepared for college or university.

In their most recent post, however, I was surprised to find out there is someone – who actually represents university teachers — who is denying the problem is any worse than it was in the past. The name discussed at ITB was that of  James Turk, the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.  

That said, I have no doubt that the unreadiness sentiment is held by more professors throughout Canada and the U.S., than not. In fact, not long ago, I published an article here at Crux of the Matter titled “How to write a college/university essay” — in response to similar complaints in the media. 

So, what exactly are the problems? Are high school students being granted credits for little or no work based on the Ontario government’s “no-fail,” policy? Are high school students being allowed to complete independent study and/or make up courses with little or no supervision? Are university teachers expecting more from their students now than in the past? Or, is it some of all of the above? 

Whatever the case, before anyone is tempted to blame everything on high school teachers, I would ask visitors to first check out this link to the high school curriculum chart  for English – up to page 26 of 221 pages. It clearly shows the kinds of reading, research and writing skills that are supposed to be taught in Ontario’s high schools — no doubt similar to what is expected elsewhere. But, are those skills actually being taught to all students who will attend college or university?

Then, there is the “attitude” problem which may appear as though students are unready. For instance, as far back as the mid 1990’s (when I was still teaching undergraduate students), I began to notice a new pattern of behaviour. I referred to it at the time as “the chip on the shoulder problem.” Students would miss 50% or more of their classes and then seem surprised when they did badly on an exam or paper – often saying they had expected an “A.”

The crux of the matter is then, apart from the few who dismiss the charge of student unreadiness, why are so many college and university professors today finding that students are not prepared for the rigors of post secondary study?