Newswise — University of Maryland Education Professor Donna Wiseman is not shy about looking at the tough issues that face our schools today - and offering solutions. In a wide-ranging interview, Prof. Wiseman talks about ways to increase reading proficiency, the No Child Left Behind Act, English as a Second Language (ESOL), even the value of small learning communities in high schools.
Talk to her about the controversy surrounding boy vs. girl achievement for example, and Prof. Wiseman will tell you that boys are having an increasingly difficult time as school curriculums become more regimented. "Boys who need more hands-on experiences and interaction are becoming bored with how and what they learn in school," she says, adding "it's time educators rethink the role of physical education and sports programs and reduced recess time since they are known to increase young student's achievement and motivation for classroom learning."
Here's a sample of what Prof. Wiseman is saying:
Q - Reading is critical to student success. Yet recent headlines have suggested that many children and teens are not reading at grade level. What needs to be done to fix this problem?
A - A review of reading achievement in our country suggests serious problems. Reading test scores refuse to improve in many instances and international comparisons are discouraging. Failure to learn how to read becomes both a personal and societal failure.
Q - The No Child Left Behind Act requires that teachers must be highly qualified in the subjects they are teaching. Yet many school districts are having a terrible time meeting that requirement. What can be done to help them?
A - The shortage of high quality teachers is uneven depending upon geographic, socio-economic settings and content areas. The Midwest, for example, has an overabundance of qualified teachers while the east and west coast areas needs teachers in many subject areas.
Q - High stakes testing continues to be a major concern. In some school districts, high school students won't graduate if they don't pass state-required tests. The fear is that many won't pass.
A - Without testing, it would be difficult to identify individual needs of students and plan for instruction that will improve their chances for academic success. The problems occur when testing is used inappropriately. The potential for inappropriate use of tests is increased when a single test score is the only consideration for high stakes decisions such as moving to the next grade level or receiving a diploma.
Q - What's your take on the continuing controversy about the academic achievement of boys vs. girls?
A - For years, we have known that girls' achievement in language arts related subjects surpasses boys' achievement and traditionally, a greater percentage of boys have trouble learning to read. More recently, research is showing more alarming trends.
Q - Are so-called "small learning communities" a good way to help students succeed?
A - It makes intuitive sense and there is a great deal of research that supports smaller high schools. Most evidence suggests that smaller schools improve student achievement, graduation rates, and promote better discipline.
Q - In your mind, what's the best way to help teach children who come into a classroom speaking another language?
A - Recognizing and honoring cultural and language differences is essential in assuring success for students who speak languages other than English. A number of instructional approaches will work with children who come into a classroom speaking another language, however, if children do not experience respect no matter what language they speak, it will be more difficult to learn in any language.
Q - Talk about the College of Education at Maryland and its commitment to using research as a way to help students succeed.
A - Many of our faculty members are committed to helping find ways to help ensure success for every child. One way to illustrate the College's commitment is to review the centers and institutes associated with the college. Centers in literacy, mathematics, special education, counseling, and rehabilitation focus on research and/or instruction in their specialized areas.
The complete interview with Prof. Wiseman can be read online - please point your browser to:http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/culture/release.cfm?ArticleID=1310
The University of Maryland has a wide range of education experts.
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