As we all know, there are many important issues at stake if the resegregation of schools was successful. There is evidence that children of lower SES do not have schools that are sufficient, the teachers are inadequate or are seen as "smart enough to leave" after seeing how depressing and apathetic poverty stricken schools are. The children tend not to succeed because studies have shown that their peers hold a greater influence over them than their teachers do. Motivation to learn is also heavily influenced by their peers. Research has been done that shows that the lower SES population devalues education and holds a strong resistance to middle class norms (Kahlenberg 2004). What are we going to do about their education? Is there anything we can do?
One option that is an extremely attractive option is the Magnet school. Magnet schools are choice schools that usually require a certain grade point average or test score, students are placed in a lottery (or something similar), and are placed in the school. A portion of the school is saved for students zoned for the school, as they are located in urban areas of high poverty. Students are bussed in to go there if they are accepted. Magnet schools are known for being academically successful as well as racially diverse across the board. Magnet schools have a unique curriculum and are very supportive of alternative teaching methods as well as supporting students' interests and talents through programming. Here is a video demonstrating the success of the magnet school.
Magnet schools are fairly common, but are not omnipresent in all school areas.
After watching the video and reflecting upon the readings, what do you think of the magnet school?
Do you think that by having more of them, the resegregation issue would move toward resolving itself?
Do you think that if magnet schools were more common that parents would want their children to go there since it wouldn't seem as special?
Do you think that there should be a movement to have more schools emulate the structure of a magnet school?
What is your opinion on the government's ability to zone students, despite what you see the results in education are?
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11 comments:
Hey guys! Don't feel obligated to answer all of the questions at once. They're pretty loaded questions so answer one or two at a time so that we're not all writing novels on here when we're trying to have a conversation :)
Thanks!
I went to a magnet school in 7th and 8th grade here in Nashville. I moved to Murfreesboro for high school, and while both schools were very good, MLK was definitely MUCH more diverse as well as academically challenging. I can still remember almost everything I learned there and can't even remember half of the classes I took in undergrad! My grades were not as good there as they were in high school, but the quality of education was really great. It's everything the article says it is. I was going to include this in the blog, but it's more of a comment type of thing.
Have a great rest of the week and rest up over the holidays!
I'm going to Cincinnati on Monday and Tuesday if any of you live there and would want to grab dinner!
Devri
It seems that a large contingent of the class is fairly supportive of magnet schools even though Kahlenberg brought out a number of aspects that would seem to discredit them to some extent. As you reflect on Devri's post I hope that some of you proponents will respond to some of the negative aspects of magnet schools that Kahlenberg (p. 128-30) raised, namely:
1. Creates inequalities due to increased funding.
2. Takes the best students, parents, and teachers.
3. Leaves surrounding school highly segregated.
4. Consigns a large contingent of rejected students to normal public schools with limited resources.
Would not "controlled choice" be a better solution to the problem than magnet schools?
Well I have no idea which direction I support most on this debate. On one hand it seems that the teachers, students and others who are involved with magnet schools are very happy with the education and environment provided. However on the other hand, magnet schools seem to have a negative effect on those around them. (1) They hurt those who do not get accepted and live nearby; (2) they take the active parents and high achievers away from the other schools; and (3) they recruit the best teachers potentially away from other nearby schools. So, would the bystanders be considered collateral damage?
What if cities had a combination of multiple magnet schools plus a controlled-choice system? Let us say each low SES neighborhood had at least one magnet school AND there was a controlled-choice system. Potentially there would be more students from the suburbs coming in to attend magnet schools and the parents, with children in the low SES communities who do not get into the magnet school, still have a feeling of some control (choice).
Any thoughts?
I think that discussing magnet schools right after charter was wonderful placement. I think that these two options are joined at the hip, one being a public option. The magnet school is a viable alternative to charter schools. Magnet school may even have a greater pull of diverse students since charter schools tend to focus on a specific population. Academic rigor, dedicated teachers, and winners/losers are shared commonalities between magnet and charter.
This winner/loser is what leaves me wondering about the effectiveness of either of these option. Education as a social good needs to provide equal education to all. Creating a separate systems to accomplish what the original system is supposed to do does not solve the problem. Neither charter schools or magnet schools can become scale to size so I suggest we stop wasting money on venture programs and focus on strengthening the core until we reach equality.
While I agree in theory with Matt, that it would be most effective if we were to work harder at fixing the public school system instead of funneling money into various school choice programs, which serve as nice options, but can only serve the needs of a few, I find that when one looks beyond theory, there are major problems with fixing the public school system. Public dollars have been, and will continue to be used ineffectively. There is far too much red tape associated with funding of current public schools, and standards have put a stranglehold on the system. While i would like to say that we should fix the current public school system, politicians don't seem to concerned with education these days, and I am inclined to look elsewhere for solutions due to the public's lack of interest and effectiveness. In this case, magnets and charters, which can obtain private dollars can be far more effective
I have never attended nor observed any magnet schools, but I know that 2 of the top 10 magnet schools are in my hometown of Jacksonville, Fl. I feel that these schools give a great option to the Jacksonville residents who desire a strong education or who desire all the same opportunities that a private school child would have. I feel that the magnet and controlled choice options are a factor in the "social good" idea of education. I believe that choice, as well as the challenge of the current order/ structure, is a strong quality of a democratic citizen in a democratic society.
Based on some of the things we have read/discussed/heard, it seems like magnet schools are like exclusive clubs. Sure, access to a magnet school is greater than access to a private school, but the selectivity is essentially the same. There are of course benefits (those who attend will get a good, specialized education), but magnet schools seem to benefit only those who attend. Maybe magnet schools are just a quick fix for the larger problem in the public education system that will eventually need to be addressed (despite the current lack of political attention)?
I definitely agree with those of you who say we should concentrate on fixing the public school system as a whole. On the one hand, magnet schools do seem to be a quick fix for a much larger problem, as Michelle pointed out. But I think that much larger problem is not going to be solved any time soon. As Chuck said, there is too much bureaucracy and too little political attention to the public school system for anything to really change. So, in the mean time, why don't we use a few quick fixes? Yes, magnet schools only help a few, but at least those few get a good education. The alternative seems to be that no low SES students attend quality schools.
Michelle, you raised an interesting question: Maybe magnet schools are just a quick fix for the larger problem in the public education system that will eventually need to be addressed (despite the current lack of political attention)?
This very question is why I am very torn on this issue. The "band-aid" theory is why I wonder if magnet schools and charter schools serve the purpose for the greater good of the school system we have in place. However, I understand the critical need to provide as many opportunities for children of low SES. Since we have yet to come up with an alternative solution to better our schools, magnet schools are an attractive option to help some kids receive better educations. But are we hurting the chances for public schools to succeed and improve?
It seems like all of us are worried about the same thing: we want public education to improve for everyone, not just those students who choose alternate educational institutions-like magnet schools, which is a definite concern of mine.
As Chuck stated, there is too little political attention placed on the public school system so it may not be likely that any real changes will occur. I would have to argue that having systems in place like magnet schools, vouchers, and charters do draw more attention to the state of the public school system.
As evidenced by our concerns and discussion, just having alternate schools motivates people to become more interested in education. Having exclusivity makes certain types of schools more appealing for all involved- teachers looking for a job, students and parents. I believe that the public school system must be fixed one step at a time with a greater interest in education by all. Maybe school choice is a stepping stone to eventual educational success?
I also am torn on this issue. The fact that Magnet schools tend to require a certain grade point average to even apply I think continues to create a new separation between students. Zach mentioned that Charter schools and Magnet schools tend to be "joined at the hip." While I think this is true, one striking difference though is that Charter schools tend to accept student regardless of their GPA, whereas Magnet schools use student's GPA as a requirement for entry. This is very similar to private schools...like Michelle mentioned.
The idea of a Magnet school I think provides an excellent opportunity for some students. However, I can not help but wonder if having a required GPA is excluding students that are capable of excelling in school but just never had the opportunity to earn high grades in their public school. Are Magnet schools creating a greater divide?
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