I think it is so easy to focus on all of the ways that the education system for elementary students today is worse than when we went through school ourselves 30+ years ago. From high-stakes testing, the potential loss of classroom anatomy for faculty, a shift away from “traditional” education methods (although another faculty member talks of “New Math” textbooks published in 1954), and the potential loss of autonomy and independence for our youth, it is easy to feel negative and overwhelmed with a sense that elementary education today just isn’t what it used to be.
Yet I think that in many ways, our children’s elementary education and school experiences are much better in today’s environment than when I was a child. I have based this assessment on the very scientific method of Comparing Anecdotes, which we all know is the most convincing way to make an argument. ;) I went to eight elementary schools in six years, while Annika and Daniel have each attended two elementary schools during their time in grade school (7 years for Annika and 5 years so far for Daniel). Based on this very scientific process, here are 10 ways in which Elementary Education Today is Better than It Used to Be.
10. Before and After School Care – When my mom went back to work when I was in 4th grade and Julie was in 1st grade, we became Latchkey Kids. When we moved to Junction City at the beginning of 5th grade, we became part of a Whole Neighborhood of Latchkey Kids, who did fun things like roam all over frozen ponds, stomp on them until the ice cracked, and lose our shoes. I am not exaggerating when I say That! Was! Awesome! However, as a parent now, I am so, SO happy that both schools we have been a part of (and all of the schools in the district) to have had on-site before- and after-school care, where the children are very well-taken care of. I honestly could not imagine having been a working parent today, especially when I had younger elementary-aged children, without this wrap-around care.
9. STEM Focus – There were some years when I literally had NO science coverage in elementary school, and others where “science” for the year consisted of looking up an encyclopedia article on “the sun.” Our kids have had consistent, hands-on science coverage, from raising chicks and frogs in 2nd grade to the many STEM clubs available in the after-school program, such as “What’s Inside the Earth?” and “Engineering in Action" to the STEM "special" that is a rotation for all kids just like P.E., music, and art. We love it.
8. School Lunches – There is much press today over the lack of quality in school lunches. While there is obviously still much room for improvement, I honestly think they are much better, because (1) no one has ever been served green hot dogs and (2) fruits and vegetables are actually a part of every meal instead of a solid rotation of Super Greasy Fried Surprises.
7. Physical Education – This has improved in multiple ways. In every.single.school that I attended, P.E. was only offered once a week; our kids have always had P.E. 2 or 3 times a week at both schools she has attended. Even more importantly, there has been a huge shift to making P.E. focused on life-long health and fitness for all, rather than a potentially humiliating experience of Who Got Picked Last in Gym Class.
6. Special Education – I think this is one of the most amazing changes in the past 30+ years; a much, MUCH greater sensitivity toward children with special needs. I know that when I was in school “retarded” was a word bandied about by children and teachers alike as an insult. And not only that, but I think when I was a child there was a great deal of stigma in being “labeled” – it seemed that parents would go out of their away to avoid having a label attached to a child, even if that meant denying helpful services. I think there is a MUCH healthier attitude today and, in our experiences with our own children, the stigma by all parties been greatly reduced.
5. Math – I am of two minds of this. On the one hand, I kind of wish that math instruction were more “traditional” with more rote memorization and “kill and drill” exercises. But on the other hand, I love the emphasis on actually understanding the rationale behind concepts such as multiplication.
4. Libraries – At every elementary school that I attended, the library was a very quiet place to be visited with reverence once a week to check out a book (and a place to fear if you were overdue in returning your book). Our children's library experience at their schools in Manhattan are completely the opposite – they can go to the library EVERY DAY to check out a book, and the librarian puts on a variety of hands-on programs. I think that this mirrors the (positive) changes in children’s programming at public libraries, too.
3. Less Competition - Again, another area that I am of two minds about. When I was in school, competition was really emphasized – we would do “Around the World” contests in math to see who was the fastest, lots of competition over spelling, etc. I am a naturally somewhat competitive person and enjoyed it. However, I know that Will hated these types of activities and given our kids' personalities, they are also not big fans as well.. There is a much greater emphasis now on cooperation and teaching the children how to work in teams instead of just throwing them to the wolves. For many students, like our kidsI see this change as a huge positive.
2. Actual Art Class and “Specials” – Out of the 8 elementary schools I attended, one did have an actual art class, so it is probably a stretch to say that no one used to have art specialists. But I love that our children have tons of hands-on art experience at school, including an actual kiln for pottery when they attended Bergman. There are also other interesting “specials” that I never encountered, including Math Enrichment, STEM, and Guidance.
1. Inclusive – Overall, I think that this is the biggest and most positive change in education. There is such an incredible emphasis now on being inclusive of all children, not bullying, and treating everyone with kindness and respect. When bullying happened when I was a child (pretty much all.the.time, as I am sure it has since the dawn of civilization), the attitude of teachers was “kids will be kids!” I am super happy that there is not only an anti-bullying emphasis, but the children are taught what to do if they encounter such situations. (Annika would always say, “Be a G!” Whatever on earth that was…) When I once talked to Annika about bullying, she responded in shock and said, “No one is bullied at Bergman! We aren’t allowed.”
And beyond that, I love the emphasis on including all children, from making sure that Valentine’s Day cards are made for all students in the class to not sending out birthday invitations at school (unless all are invited). I know that there is a lot of concern that such actions might be going too far in the other direction. But I like to think we are really teaching our children how to live life with kindness and respect.
And I realize that this could be just our own experiences and others' may be vastly different - but - We love our Manhattan, Kansas elementary schools!
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