Strengths:

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While I cannot speak for the entire school, I will speak about what I know. The English department has intentionally concentrated to give time for reflection, allow students to perform self-assessment, give students a voice, and help students to become critical thinkers. Students complete reflection of learning after major units or at the end of the semester to point out their learning and showcase their best work. During these times, students also self-assess for the class. Students are given a voice with this as well working collaboratively with their peers. The teachers also choose books, concepts, and units that cause students to think critically and connect with societal issues outside the classroom.

“…focusing on strengths does not equate to ignoring areas of weakness.”

Areas Of Improvement:

From my perspective, students need more choices, opportunities to innovate, solve/find real world issues, and having more connections with learning. The connections with learning relies heavily on being really resourceful as the native language in the country isn’t English.

“The basics are important, but we need to go beyond knowing to creating and doing. “

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The others happen in pockets, but are not something that is as intentional. Other times I feel that these things are considered too “new” to try.  As our population is majority EAL learners, the push is for better literacy in English. I completely respect and understand that goal. Literacy is vital  as they will eventually be going to college abroad. I also see how innovation ties into that goal.

Yong Zhao once stated,

“Reading and writing should be the floor, not the ceiling.”

Yong Zhao, “Global, Creative, and Entrepreneurial: Defining High Quality Education,” (keynote presentation, ISTE Convention) YouTube video, 1:15:59, June 26, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKXeNKsjoMI.