Today in class we discussed the issue of unequal resources in our education system. When I first thought of what resources would consist of I thought about things like books, sports equipment, and school supplies. I didn't realize that there was much more to it. We talked about money being a huge factor in this issue. Althought it makes it easier for someone with money to obtain the resources needed in our education system, I feel that money isn't everything. I feel that with hard work and dedication, it is possible for children in low-income areas to overcome. My parents moved to the U.S. in 1981 with not a lot of money. My father barely spoke english when he first moved to this country. Even now he has trouble with grammar and spelling. He worked hard and was determined to improve his quality of life. He started off at the bottom of an architecture company in the city. He was very dedicated to his job and worked long hours which eventually paid off. He recieved promotions and now is the president of the company. Although my father came from a lower class, he was able to overcome and provide for his family. Having money is not everything. If someone has money but lacks the motivation, he will not make the effort to use the resources available to him. It is a drive inside the person that also is a factor. If a person wants something bad enough than i believe with hard work he will be able to acieve his goals.
We also talked about montessori schools which I had never heard about before. I like the idea of children having the freedom to choose what they want to learn about. if children have fun learning, they will want to do it more often. They won't be bored sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher lecture them. Below is a link for the montessori foundation where you can read about its history and the programs they offer.
http://www.montessori.org/story.php?id=164
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4 comments:
Hard work and dedication are very important factors in achieving a goal or bettering a person's situation in general but without money there is a very slim chance of them getting very far. The number of immigrants (including my entire family) that have come into America and managed to better themselves is incredible. I can't even begin to imagine the odds that they faced from language barriers to not knowing anyone in the country that can help them. Every person that makes a name for themselves whether they started out with nothing and managed to succeed or they're just working a job that is able to support themselves and their family deserves credit. But how many people have you spoken to that didn't make it? Do you know their stories and struggles? I'm not saying the people that are truly lazy or people that have an endless supply of excuses. I'm talking about the people that just weren't given a break. People like the students that Kozol mentioned his book that are in the third grade but can't read, students that attend unsafe schools, or students that teachers have just given up on. Are you going to tell me that their parents lack motivation and that's the reason why they attend this schools? Determination and hard work alone do not put food in your stomach or guarantee that you will find a job. Resources, money, and networking helps a lot. There are so many people out there that didn't make it because no matter how hard they worked they just weren't given the chance. I agree with you that having money is not everything without motivation but I've seen enough people breeze through life comfortably that were lazy but had money. And there are thousands of people that want things bad enough but they never get them and it's not because they don't have the motivation, determination, inspiration, drive, will, or whatever other kind of personality trait necessary to overcome certain odds.
Obviously we all know I disagree by now. So I see no point in saying anything about this much further. However, what I do wonder is why I have seen so many people who bust their butts everyday trying to become president of a company never make it. I've also seen people who have (well who are almost there I guess). Same community, same amount of "work". What changes is the ability to get to those resources. Those who had someone to fall back on, someone who believed in them, luck, financial support and tons of other things made it while those who didn't have all of that didn't make it. I agree it's not all about money but from what I've seen it's not all about "simply working hard" either! It's everything!!!!
Your blog corresponds with Alexis', Kara's and someone else's (now I forgot) but check those out. Is there truly a level playing field for everyone?
I agree with what you are saying, while also agreeing with "education" and "trishj". It's a combination of factors that leads to the success in people's lives. On another note, I found the website about Montessori schools to be really interesting. I really think that allowing kids to choose what they want to learn can be beneficial in the long run.
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