Decorah School Board Members

Tonight I attended the lecture by two members of the Decorah school board. We talked a lot about the budget and how it works. I found it interesting how in Iowa, your spending is divided up into different sections. Those sections can't be mixed, even if there is left over money in some.

We also talked about how big, rich schools like West Des Moines, and small schools like Calmar, all get the same funding per student. I think that is a good thing. That way, even if your poor, your child is getting the same education and opportunities that a wealthy family's child is getting. We talked about implementing a foreign language into schools. I think that is a very good idea. Sometimes it's easier for little kids to soak up knowledge, and by starting to teach them a language at an early age could greatly benefit them. I was in Postville for my J-term 115 class, and that was an interesting experience. Everyday multiple lessons were taught in Spanish. I felt that not only was it a good thing because the students were becoming fluent at two languages, but it also helped bond the kids together. The native speakers would help the non-natives, and their roles would switch when the teacher switched back to a lesson in English. Although I understand it's hard to find funding to introduce foreign language programs into school districts, I think it is something all districts should look into.

Guest Administrator Lecture

I enjoyed the lecture by the two professionals from the Decorah school district on October 14th. I found there views of the NCLB act very interesting. I have been so used to hearing all the quirks about NCLB (on the news, from my peers, etc.), that I had become biased about it in a negative way. After listening to them talk, I realized that NCLB actually does some really good things. I think by having it in the schools it challenges teachers to find ways to teach in new and creative ways. I think it will some day keep ME on my toes; adapting and changing my ways of teaching to help make my students better. As I teacher I will like to see the progress my students are making or not making, so I know when my teaching strategies are and are not working.

High Stakes Community School-NCLB

Going into the lecture Monday night, I wasn't sure what to expect. I figured we'd do a lot of listening and then could voice our own opinions. I was surprised that different groups got up and talked as a whole. It turned out to be more formal then I had thought, but this made it very interesting to listen to.

I really enjoyed hearing everyone's opinions of NCLB. I realized how many things are wrong with that plan. It seems almost impossible to get all kids to a certain standard. Some students just arn't gifted in certain subjects and can't push themselves any further. I think something needs to be done to revise that plan. The over all idea of it is great, it just was lots of flaws. Hopefully with the change in presidency, some new ideas will generate and the NCLB act can become a positive thing in students education.

Library Lecture

I thought the lecture about using the library's website was very informative. I had no idea there was so much information on it. I think the new design of the website makes it much easier to find information quickly. What I found the most helpful was the link that sited books for you. That would have came in very handy last year during Paideia.
I feel that lecture was worth while to all Luther students. I would have not understood how to use that website had someone not walked me through it. It was a lot of information very quickly though, so I still have some questions but at least I am on the right track now.