So, I left last week's class feeling a little upset. Comments flying around that implied the worth of one's life being completely based on their education and occupation. I thought perhaps I would go home and begin blogging immediately, but by the time I got home I thought 'let me take some time to calm down and step back'. I decided to focus my thoughts on my belief that we need to guide curricula of the future to educate all with, not only respect for their personal passions, but a commitment to value and showcase those choices equally.
So, two nights later I went to Junior Parent Night to learn about the college search process for my son who plans to choose that road as his. The evening starts with statistics '98.5 % go on to four year colleges'. A well meaning guidance counselor then decided to speak of their 'equal' commitment to placing students who want to go on to, and I quote here "alternatives, such as , trade schools for plumbing, music school, beauty school, or historically black universities" - I kid you not those words came out in that order. I looked around, expecting to see the shock I was feeling on others faces - but not a flinch. The evening continued with a plenitude of information for applying to the four year universities without another mention of the "alternatives".
Am I hyper -sensitive, or are people really so unable to see the 'hidden' curriculum in that? Maybe both.
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4 comments:
Okay so Im not a parent but I don't think that makes me incapable of feeling dismay at what you experienced. I also think that as a parent AN INVOLVED PARENT, it does not make you hypersensitive- in fact it makes you educated and very aware of "hidden curriculum." As a highschool student, my guidance counselor told me that i'd probably want to stay home rather than go away to school because my father had died years earlier and my mom probably couldn't afford it. After our class discussion and your blog- i'm rethinking the "hidden" messages given to both students and parents about the value of a students self worth- not the value of students as statistics.
I do not think you are hypersensitive. However, in order to identify the "hidden curriculum" one must first be aware that such a curriculum exists. The fact that this guidance counselor was comfortable enough to make this statement and that there were no negative reactions from the people in attendance is very disturbing. Although this guidance counselor may have had good intentions, his or her statement can be viewed as damaging by some people. To suggest that historically black universities are an alternative to four year colleges is misleading and false. We as educators must make an effort to be sensitive to the needs of all students and must not contribute to or reinforce any hidden curriculum that does not equally or equitably serve our students.
My brother-in-law is a guidance counselor in an affluent district, and he talks about getting slammed whenever he tries to suggest something other than a four-year college plan to a student. Although this lack of true flexibility sucks, aren't schools just giving most parents what they want?
Hi,
What an outrageous comment that the guidance counselor made! I too would have been shocked had I heard that in a meeting. I am troubled that others were not surprised at this comment. I don't think that it is a correct fact that 98.5% of students go to college. Only 25% of the population gets a 4 yr degree. Interesting posting though.
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