Anna: When people talk education you often hear, “One size doesn’t fit all...”
Parker: Equality versus equity ...we all get the same or we get what we need.
Anna: Exactly, like differentiated learning in the classroom. Getting what you need to succeed.
Parker: Last year we talked about this in one of my classrooms. It made me think about something that happened to me years ago. We had just moved and as it was a new school I was being placed in classes. We take Iowa Basics every year and it was at the end of my fifth grade year that we moved to a new school. My fifth grade scores weren’t ready, so the new school used my fourth grade scores to place me...I hadn’t done as well in fourth grade, so I was placed in classes that weren’t as challenging.
Anna: But what does that have to do with equality vs. equity...?
Parker: Well think about it..when we get into middle school, we are placed in many classes based on how well we did on those standardized tests. Many kids are placed in advanced classes as they can handle them....others, go to classes they can handle at the time. So the district thought I need more help but what I really needed was more of a challenge.
Anna: My story is a little different...and it really does have to do with equity. New stuff in the classroom isn’t always easy for me, but I can get it...I just need a little more time and some patience. When I got to high school I was kicked out of my Algebra class because I didn’t understand the concepts...I was behind...but I didn’t have any background for the Algebra...but I think I could have gotten it if I had had some instruction in the earlier classes. Sometimes the placement isn’t quite right.
Parker: In high school, I actually asked Mr. D, my high school physics teacher about it.
Mr. D: I think the classroom teachers have a lot more say and are better able to judge to know whether or not they (students )are ready for the next one. I know for example... chemistry... being at a certain level in math... and that has shown that is a pretty good way to decide whether or not a student is ready for chemistry. In physics, typically we are a little more lenient. Just because if a kid can take chemistry usually they are ready for physics I. It’s not an exact science, it’s a very, uh, (laugh) inexact science.
Anna: According to Jim Vanderloo the Sioux City Director of Secondary Education, so is student input and choice.
Mr. Vanderloo: For the most part it is student choice. We have a handful of courses where certain test scores or certain experiences are required to get into those course.
Parker: In middle school, the district has the Noviance program...in high school the career academy and advanced classes...Mr. Vanderloo mentioned more options for “directing our own story.”
Mr. Vanderloo: If you go back to middle school some of those courses are decided by Iowa assessment scores. But besides that and that is usually in the math department... the rest of the core departments in the middle school ,those are just sequential.
Parker: My physic’s teacher Mr D. mentioned that there are roadblocks along the way. He said we sometimes create our own roadblocks.
Mr. D: Time is first and foremost. Scheduling is also an issue. You know how do you get that kid to come in and get help if they have football practice, if they have play practice, whatever it is that they have and they got it for a number..or that kid that has to work to help support the family
Parker: George Lindblade local photographer and writer told us not to take too much time to decide what we wanted and where we wanted to go. He said we should pay attention and be mindful of the things we are passionate about and he told us to know those things and be responsible for directing our own life’s story.
Anna: He reminded us that he knew early on what he wanted to do and never really looked back. He is worried that if you spend all your time thinking about what you want to do and never really doing you might miss out. Mr. Lindblade said to talk to people you trust to get your point or concern across. He also said to quit focusing on small things...do some problem solving and look at the bigger picture.
Parker: He also said we have to step up to the plate, become involved in decision making and to do that, we have to get informed. Take charge of your life story. Create your own equity.