A Dash of Hope
Referring to the ISAT, Illinois’ version of the NCLB assessment, a respected local high school teacher stated in a news interview that “Students at younger ages simply may be more inclined to succeed on tests, driven by an optimistic view of the future. By high school, she suggested, some may be worn down and worn out, seeing their parents work two jobs to make ends meet and feeling they have little chance of doing any better.” “They get to this stage and they don't see that American Dream anymore. They don't feel that anymore," she said. ‘I believe that a lot of our kids feel as if they have no future.’ ”
In a discussion with another teacher, she recounted that some of her 8th grade students have told her that there was no reason for them to try to do well in school. When the teacher asked for the reason these students feel this way, they said that they didn’t have papers, and not being U.S. citizens, they would not be allowed in colleges or, if they do get into one, wouldn’t get money to help them. They said that they could get a high school diploma, but in the end they will be doing the same jobs as their parents, so why try on school work or tests.
Whatever your personal position on immigration issues and proposals for changes in federal laws, the present situation is stripping hope from a generation of kids living presently living among us. (The Senate this year in essence voted “No” on a bill that would have granted legal residency to children of illegal immigrants while the young people pursued college degrees.)
Do we want to create a permanent underclass without hope? Ask our teachers who each day try to help these kids learn. Teachers pour their time, their best efforts (and yes, even their hearts) into these kids. Just perhaps, the rest of us might, at a minimum, provide a dash of hope.
Referring to the ISAT, Illinois’ version of the NCLB assessment, a respected local high school teacher stated in a news interview that “Students at younger ages simply may be more inclined to succeed on tests, driven by an optimistic view of the future. By high school, she suggested, some may be worn down and worn out, seeing their parents work two jobs to make ends meet and feeling they have little chance of doing any better.” “They get to this stage and they don't see that American Dream anymore. They don't feel that anymore," she said. ‘I believe that a lot of our kids feel as if they have no future.’ ”
In a discussion with another teacher, she recounted that some of her 8th grade students have told her that there was no reason for them to try to do well in school. When the teacher asked for the reason these students feel this way, they said that they didn’t have papers, and not being U.S. citizens, they would not be allowed in colleges or, if they do get into one, wouldn’t get money to help them. They said that they could get a high school diploma, but in the end they will be doing the same jobs as their parents, so why try on school work or tests.
Whatever your personal position on immigration issues and proposals for changes in federal laws, the present situation is stripping hope from a generation of kids living presently living among us. (The Senate this year in essence voted “No” on a bill that would have granted legal residency to children of illegal immigrants while the young people pursued college degrees.)
Do we want to create a permanent underclass without hope? Ask our teachers who each day try to help these kids learn. Teachers pour their time, their best efforts (and yes, even their hearts) into these kids. Just perhaps, the rest of us might, at a minimum, provide a dash of hope.
posted by Rich Levine | 10:07 PM
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