August 20, 2003 - CNN: Sierra Leone RPCV Marnie Hunter says today's students have little time to discuss world news

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2003: August 2003 Peace Corps Headlines: August 20, 2003 - CNN: Sierra Leone RPCV Marnie Hunter says today's students have little time to discuss world news

By Admin1 (admin) on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 10:42 am: Edit Post

Sierra Leone RPCV Marnie Hunter says today's students have little time to discuss world news





Read and comment on this story from CNN by Sierra Leone RPCV Marnie Hunter who says today's students have little time to discuss world news. Mounting pressure to meet state- and nationally mandated curriculum requirements and assessment tests means current events rarely get discussed thoroughly, according to many U.S. educators.
"We have felt for a long time that understanding the world around us and our place in it is something that is critical for students if they are going to be able to fulfill their responsibility as informed citizens," said Graseck, a senior fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies. "Nine-11 brought this home for us all."
Read the story at:

No time to study timely events*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.



No time to study timely events

Increased interest, little time to discuss world news

By Marnie Hunter

CNN

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 Posted: 11:09 AM EDT (1509 GMT)

(CNN) -- Some have called them the "9/11 generation," U.S. students who must confront and try to understand a rapidly changing world.

From Afghanistan to Iraq, from Indonesia to Liberia, current events have taken on special importance for young Americans living in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

But as much as most teachers and many students want to discuss what's making headlines, they say there's less and less time in the school day to do so.

Mounting pressure to meet state- and nationally mandated curriculum requirements and assessment tests means current events rarely get discussed thoroughly, according to many U.S. educators.

Stephen Johnson, a U.S. history teacher at Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas, said he does not have much time to rehash the day's news with his 11th-grade history students.

"I mean, we have testing. Most states are having testing in social studies," Johnson said. "So you've got to cover the material between now and then -- and probably not a lot of current events."

Johnson, who has been teaching for 25 years and just finished a term as president of the National Council for the Social Studies, said he doesn't expect to spend much time on the war on terror or other recent events.

"When I start teaching, I'm starting out with the time period I need to start with and moving right on," he said.

But Peggy Altoff, a social studies supervisor for School District 11 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, said the news can and should be discussed in the U.S. classroom, despite time constraints.

"Current events are something that can be used every day if a teacher has the skill and the imagination to connect the present to the past," she said.

The 9/11 effect

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks served as a catalyst in boosting interest among teachers and students in the world around them, Altoff said.

Susan Graseck, who founded a program designed to weave more international events into classroom instruction, said the attacks gave students and educators valuable insight on why it is important to understand the news in today's world.

Experts say 9/11 affected many students personally, spawning an interest in events like the war in Iraq.

According to Graseck, thousands of people accessed curriculum material on Iraq that was posted on the Choices for the 21st Century (www.choices.edu) Web site before the start of the war in March.

"We have felt for a long time that understanding the world around us and our place in it is something that is critical for students if they are going to be able to fulfill their responsibility as informed citizens," said Graseck, a senior fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies. "Nine-11 brought this home for us all."

Merry Merryfield, a professor of social studies and global education at Ohio State University, said that unlike many historical events, September 11 affected students personally.

"It was one of those really profound events that nobody can ignore and lots of kids were actually afraid that it was going to happen to them," she said.

Short on time, heavy on tests

Merryfield, who offers online professional development courses designed to help teach world history and today's news, recognizes the difficulties that teachers face trying to incorporate such discussions into their curriculum.

All good teachers try to "integrate these kinds of events and issues that come out of them into the mandated curriculum ... because they want to respond to students' questions," she said. "Yet they have high-stakes testing, they have mandates that they have to teach certain topics."

At the state level, education boards set standards that serve as a framework for developing curricula in local school districts. These standards form the foundation for statewide assessments given to students at most grade levels in various subjects, including history and civics.

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act -- the top tier in the standards-based movement -- every state (and in turn, school) faces sanctions and other penalties based on the results of annual assessments of students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math.

Ruben Zepeda, a high school history teacher since 1984, recently asked colleagues at a professional development seminar he facilitated at the University of California, Los Angeles, about the challenge of incorporating current events into course curricula. The answers mirrored his own experiences: plenty of interest in examining current issues, but not enough time.

"As much as ... teachers and students want to address this, there are external pressures that make that sometimes overwhelming and almost impossible to do," Zepeda said.




Click on a link below for more stories on PCOL

8/17/03
Call your Senator in August

Minnesota Sen. Coleman
Minnesota RPCVs should call Senator Norm Coleman and ask him to introduce an amendment to the Senate Foreign Operations Bill for President Bush's full $359M Peace Corps appropriation. RPCVs from other states should call their Senators and ask them to support the amendment.
More Stories from the August Issue of PCOL Magazine

Greater Accountability at the Peace Corps
Senator Norm Coleman is a strong supporter of Bush's full $359M budget request but wants greater accountability from the Peace Corps. Read why.

Send in the Peace Corps to Iraq?
See if you agree with the op-ed from the NY Times on embedding the Peace Corps with the military in Iraq.

House of Representatives passes Charter
The Peace Corps and the Returned Volunteer community celebrated a big victory when the "Peace Corps Act for the 21st Century" Act passed the House in July. Read what's next for the bill.

Kevin Quigley named new NPCA President
The NPCA has selected the next generation of leadership for their organization. Read about the new President.

Investigation on death of PCV in Mali
The results of the investigation into the death of PCV Zachary Merrill in Mali.

President Bush meets PCVs in Botswana
The President met with PCVs in Botswana. Here's what he said.

Friends of Liberia issue a Call to Action
This RPCV group has a long history on involvement in efforts to bring peace to their Country of Service. Here's what they have to say about the present situation.

More Feature Stories from Recent Issues of PCOL Magazine

Issues with the Peace Corps Bill in Congress
Read about the differences between the House and Senate versions of the "Peace Corps Act for the 21st Century" and decide which one is better.

Americorps' Failure
Lessons the Peace Corps can learn from Americorps' problems.

RPCVs dump ton of coal at US Capital
Read what the RPCV-led Chesapeake Climate Action Network is doing to educate the public on Global Warming.

German Peace Corps celebrates 40 years
The governance structure of the German Peace Corps differs from that of the US Peace Corps. Is it better?

Peace Corps to add 1,000 AIDS/HIV volunteers
Director Vasquez's new initiative to expand the Peace Corps in Africa.

Op-ed: The Future of the Peace Corps
Does the Peace Corps have a future in the age of the American Imperium? What do you think?

RPCV is wheelchair basketball champion
The courage of a volunteer struck down by polio in Central America.

Watch Director Vasquez on web tv
See the Peace Corps Director speak to High School students in Maryland.

The Digital Freedom Initiative
The innovative new program to wire Senegal.

Bill Moyers on America's Future
Read what an early Peace Corps Deputy Director says about America's future.

The Shrivers: A Special Legacy
The Founding Director of the Peace Corps and his future plans.


For the Record: Top Stories in the last 30 days
RPCVs work to end Female Genital Mutilation 17 Aug
RPCV runs river guide business in Alask 17 Aug
Somber reminders of danger 16 Aug
RPCV helps poor Guatemalan village 15 Aug
A Modest Proposal 13 Aug
Kennedy/Shriver connections help Arnold 13 Aug
RPCV dies in Uzbekistan 12 Aug
RPCV fined for protesting Iraq war 12 Aug
DRI sends Medical Supplies to Iraq 11 Aug
RPCV teaches Christian martial arts 11 Aug
Maria Shriver: Beauty and The Barbarian 10 Aug
RPCV is new Riverkeeper 10 Aug
Shrivers and Kennedys mum on Arnold 9 Aug
RPCV drops out of CA Governor's race 9 Aug
RPCV exhibits Palestinian Posters 9 Aug
They Will Remember 8 Aug
Vasquez in Ukraine 8 Aug
Senator Coleman and PC Appropriations 7 Aug
RPCV seeks California governor's office 7 Aug
Farewell from Dane Smith 6 Aug
PC Announces University Partnerships 6 Aug
This is Malaria 5 Aug
RPCV sees deprivation and dignity in Africa 5 August
USDA honors RPCV for Heifer Intl work 4 August
Ghana RPCV returns to help leprosy victims 4 August
RPCV and spouse work to end Liberia civil war 4 August
Memorial Fund established for RPCV 4 August
PCV hits the road in recumbent bicycle 3 Aug
PCV met President Bush in Botswana 1 August
Don't Mind the Goats 1 Aug
PC celebrates anniversary in East Timor 31 July
RPCV is new director of San Isabel Foundation 31 July
Parents recall PCV Zack Merrill 30 July
The AmeriCorps Follies 30 July
RPCV writes "What India means to me" 29 July
RPCV says Liberians want American aid 29 July
Vasquez to speak in Mexico 29 July
AmeriCorps Violated Budget Law 28 July
War-Zone Peace Corps? 27 July
Peace Corps good for America 27 July
Investigation on death of PCV 25 July
House passes $314M PC Appropriation 24 July
Send in the Peace Corps 23 July
Peace Corps to Reopen in Jordan 22 July
Peace Corps Writers announce awards 22 July
Call Now - Disaster ahead for PC Budget 21 July
Changing face of the Peace Corps 20 July
Older Volunteers Heed the Call to Volunteer 19 July
PC to get $49M less than requested 17 July
Top Discussion Stories

A Modest Proposal
Read the op-ed by John Coyne on how to expand and revitalize the NPCA and what you can do to help.

Send in the Peace Corps?
Should the Peace Corps be heading into Iraq and Afghanistan? What do you think?

Peace Corps Charter
Read about the new Peace Corps bill going through Congress. Compare the Senate and House versions of the bill here.

A Volunteer's Courage
After Sara Evans was assaulted she left the Peace Corps and returned to the United States. But her ordeal was only beginning.

The Fourth Goal
Read what Sargent Shriver says ought to be the Peace Corps' new goal for the 21st century.

The Numbers Game
Double the Peace Corps - but maintain the quality of the programs and the volunteer experience.

Improvements needed
...in Volunteer services. Read our exclusive story on what needs to be done to support volunteers and reduce attrition rates.

Volunteer Safety
Read the GAO Report on Safety and Security of Volunteers.

The Lariam Files
Read about the anti-malarial drug thousands of volunteers have taken - and its potential side effects.

Accountability
Senator Norm Coleman is a strong supporter of Bush's full $359M budget request but wants greater accountability from the Peace Corps. Read why.

Protest at the Peace Corps
Do volunteers and staff retain first amendment rights while working in the Peace Corps. Join the discussion.

RPCVs organize
Read how 1,800 RPCVs organized to place two half-page ads in the New York Times.

PC is "truly hardcore"
A Marine Sergeant visited his daughter who is serving in Nicaragua. Read what he says about the Peace Corps.

From Russia with Love
The story behind the departure of the Peace Corps from Russia.

RPCVs honor Vaughn
Returned Volunteers met to honor and listen to the wisdom of Peace Corps legend Jack Vaughn.

More Special Reports

The IDPA: PC Forerunner
The IDPA, a forerunner of the Peace Corps, created in 1951 to place people with indigenous organizations and governments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Alcohol Abuse a big issue for PCVs in Central Asia
Read about the health hazard PC Staff is warning volunteers in former Soviet Republics about.

PC/Washington: Senior Staff Appointments at PC HQ
See if you can guess how many RPCVs there are in senior staff positions at PC Headquarters.

RPCV Spy dies in Moscow
The strange story of the RPCV who defected to Russia.

The Case for PC Independence
Why the USA Freedom Corps doesn't make sense.

Preservation of an Independent Peace Corps
Returned Volunteers insist that the Peace Corps must remain an independent agency to do its job.



Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Sierra Leone; Secondary Education

PCOL7446
75

.


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: