Reflection No. 5 "Acceleration"

Reflection No. 5                                                 04-08-2011

After reading A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America's Brightest Students; address (a) whether or not you support the authors’ position in serving students with special gifts and talents and why, (b) which myths or truths revealed within this text caught your attention, and (c) whether you believe TEA's policies on serving students with special gifts and talents complement or contradict acceleration and why.

A)      I agree with the author’s point of view, and it is we, the teachers, who can make a big difference by supporting and allowing these students not holding their dreams and stopping their wings to fly up in the sky, when they can do it. Excellence should begin with one word, “Yes”, I totally agree with this statement. I have seen so many bright kids bored in our classrooms because the school districts will not permit us to advance, and it is so true, challenge is lacking in our schools within the regular classrooms, and without noticing we are hurting these students, by sometimes saying no to acceleration.

          And, what is acceleration? It refers to altering content already learned or providing new content. A practice that strengthens the students’ ability to make connections between concepts already learned and the ones they are learning now. This process may involve more rapid movement through a specific content area or instruction in an area determined to be a student’s strength. By saying yes to this process we are not only saving money to our schools districts, but also saving bright minds. It will open diverse doors for achievement for those students that are looking forward to being in a challenging classroom.

          It is sad that decisions about acceleration have been taken based or incorrect information, upon personal biases or incomplete information, it seems like the interest for the bright kids is lost. As an AP Spanish teacher in the middle school setting, I let my students soar, I always tell them they can do it, they have the power, the future is in their hand, I allow them to fly high and watch them succeed when I get back the AP exam results. I always get 90 or 95% passing rate and I strongly believe it is because I do use acceleration to maximize learning in my AP classes.

          One myth that impacted me while I was reading was that “Acceleration is only for the wealthy”, I can not agree with this myth as I work in a Title one school and I can see that my students, who are at risk, due to their socioeconomics benefit from this kind of intervention as any other students who may come from a higher socioeconomic level. Acceleration does level the field of opportunity because the cost to the family or to the school is minimal. To conclude, I think that every teacher

Knows that every student have different needs, either academic or social ones. However, Acceleration recognizes not only the differences, but also a way of addressing them.

B) I think that TEA’s policies support acceleration as it is stated on 2.4E. as part of the service design section where it is recommended a flexible pacing to be employed, to allow students to learn at the pace and level appropriate for their abilities and skills. Acceleration is actively facilitated by administrators, counselors, and teachers. It is our responsibility as educators to enhance the process by using differentiation in the classrooms, by offering that flexible pacing program that will allow the students to soar, such as advanced placement or dual courses.

          As a teacher, I should be able to use different teaching techniques and materials to accommodate the diversity of learning styles within my classroom, and products will be improved by the students’ abilities to express their ideas via improved cognitive development. Learning centers, computer stations, and an adequate room for free movement is a must.  As an educator, I must model for learning, provide personal experience, opinions, or beliefs that will invite students to join the process as well.