Since coming to San Francisco, I've learned crazy things about the school systems in SF and cities everywhere.
1. the "lottery" system
Basically, kids don't always get to attend the public school that is closest to them or best. The school system is forced to do a lottery where you are randomly selected to attend a school. WHAT THE HECK?! Since when did education become a gamble? I'd recommend watching "Waiting for Superman" directed by Davis Guggenheim, to get a taste of how unfair the whole system is.
Coming from a town with 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, I didn't experience any kind of lottery. We were placed in the elementary schools based on which one we lived closest to. We were then all expected to attend the one middle school followed by the one high school.
2. Opportunity Gap
The opportunity gap is (in modified language) the gap between wealthy schools and poor schools. There is a major difference between each school, each neighborhood, and each city. You are given different opportunities based on location. There are many controversies concerning the opportunity gap and many ideas afloat on how to "fix" it.
Growing up, I was never aware of the gaps in opportunity, or even that I was potentially not receiving as many opportunities as other children my age. The realization has brought thousands of questions to my mind. The question I find most often asked, "how do we fix it?"
3. Achievement Gap
Related to the opportunity gap is the achievement gap. This is the visible difference in achievement based on multiple factors: location, race, wealth.
Once again, as a child I had no idea there was an achievement gap. I guess I knew that certain kids perform better/worse than others, but why? Delving into this helps to explain why there are differences. Again, the question is "how do we fix it?"
I could go off about all three of these issues, as well as standardized testing, alternative education (home-schooling, Montessori schools, ect.), good/bad teachers, and so much more. There are so many gaps involving education and I'm curious in finding solutions.
Recently, I was assigned to observe an elementary school classroom. I went to Grattan Elementary School located in Cole Valley. I was assigned to take note on the neighborhood (which was quaint, friendly, and seemingly safe). I then observed a 4th/5th grade classroom for two hours; watching student/teacher interactions, student/student interactions, problem children, class participation, etc. It was the teacher's first year teaching, which was semi-noticeable. The whole experience was incredibly beneficial in understanding the movement of an elementary classroom.
I have been assigned to observe one more classroom; this time in a school that is not as high in ranking. Grattan Elementary scored a 9 out of 10. (http://www.greatschools.org/california/san-francisco/6375-Grattan-Elementary-School/ ) While Sanchez Elementary (the school I plan on going to next) scored a 2 out of 10. ( http://school-ratings.com/school_details/38684786041545.html)
Grattan Elementary School
That's it for today! Thanks for reading. Let me know if you want more information on anything, any ideas, discussions, or concerns.
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