Urban School District--Baltimore City Schools in MD - Essay Example

Urban School District—Baltimore Schools MD Reasons that can attract teachers towards teaching in Baltimore Public School Actually, there are a number of reasons that might attract individuals especially teachers towards Baltimore City Public School. These reasons include infrastructure, school's main mission, effectiveness of the school according to their previous records, geographical location among others. For instance, the introduction of career pathways system under the new contract is more advantageous to teachers. This is because it encourages teachers to take control of their professional careers and improve their effectiveness. This effectiveness is enabled since teachers can now determine the pace at which they earn. Apart from school based programs, the other main attraction to both the teachers and the students towards Baltimore City School is its location. Being located in an urban area within the city of Baltimore; a city with beautiful attractions nice people and culture, makes it so affordable and interesting thus desirable for individuals to live in. Challenges that might be expected in Baltimore City Public School Considering the fact that Baltimore City Public School is an urban school, poses a great threat towards the school. This is because there are so many challenges associated with urban district schools. Some of these challenges include; Shortage of teachers, government oversight, politicized school boards, School staff accountability among others, funding for infrastructure. These problems are expected to be solved earlier enough whenever they are detected. Failing to solve these problems might then affect the urban schools negatively. Some of the consequences that might result to affect the urban schools negatively when these problems are not solved in time include the following: Poor learning infrastructure such as classrooms might expose the student to harsh environmental conditions thus affecting their health, performance of the students might also deteriorate as a result of fewer teachers. This will be possible because the teachers might not be able to effectively manage a huge number of students. Teachers are also subjected to low earnings whenever students perform poorly thus reducing their morale when handling large classes of students (Richards & Farrell 78). How to address the challenges associated with the extreme urban district Some individuals have argued that treatment is better than cure. As in this case many will tend to agree with them. This is because the result of these challenges can be anticipated thus need for better preparation on how to handle them. For these measures to be handled speedily and without favor, it will require full involvement of every party which is at risk of being affected by these challenges. This is important not only because it will facilitate the speed of the work, but also because it will ensure that every individual is self motivated in order to achieve these goals. As for this case, one might involve both the teachers, students, parents and even government officials since all these people might be affected either directly or indirectly. For instance, the issue of teacher shortage can be addressed by requesting unattached teachers from the surrounding community to volunteer. On the other hand able parents can also be requested to finance these volunteering teachers. The pay cut on teachers’ salaries on account of poor performance by students can be handled by, calling on the government to look at it in perspective of teacher student ratio. It can also be handled by encouraging group discussion among students thus enhancing learning among students; this method can ease the teachers’ job since it will be easier to handle the groups compared to students. In order to solve any problem concerning schools, the school boards are always the key factors in their respective schools. As for the case of Baltimore City Public school, all the stakeholders are then expected to elect transparent board members to facilitate in addressing their problems to the government. Advantages that might be anticipated in urban district schools From the priorities and initiatives that have been laid down recently in some urban district schools including Baltimore City Public School, one can predict a great improvement on these schools in the near future. For instance, Baltimore City Public School came up with some good initiatives. These initiatives represent a brighter future towards the school should they be implemented according to plan. The most important thing about the contents of this initiative is that, it was reached as a result of what they believe in. Furthermore it is also interesting to note that the key factor in this initiative also reflects the priorities of public schools. This initiative provides guidelines on how school resources should be allocated thus ensuring equal and transparent allocation among all the departments in the school. This therefore means that, every department in the school will have equitable resources thus improving students’ achievement. The performance of students is also expected to improve should the urban district schools stick on the priorities provided. Some of the advantages expected in these urban district schools will largely depend on whether they have adhered to the priorities put in place. The main advantage that can be anticipated in these schools is construction of modern buildings that the students and staff of the school deserve. This will be made possible since it is among the priorities. The students will also benefit by getting the quality of education they deserve. This will be necessitated through rigorous and engaging curricula as granted in the priorities. These district schools will also be considered equal when it comes to allocation of resources. The staffs of these schools will also be experiencing some advantages since they are also expected to work in environments that they feel supported thus improving their level of performance. Generally it is believed that with proper implementation of this initiative and adhering to the priorities all the parties involved in this field of education will gain a lot and the students’ performance will improve. Reasons that can prove that an individual is prepared to teach in a public district School There are several factors that can be used to determine if an individual is prepared and well equipped to undertake the teaching job in any school. These qualifications do vary from academic qualification to previous experiences among others. As in the case of public district school, previous experience in teaching will be considered first. Actually, it is not just a matter of just the teaching record, but the key factor which is always looked at is; the type of school taught previously. The other issue that might also determine the eligibility of the individual is the level of classes handled for example kindergarten, grade of class among others. The other factor is the course or courses an individual can handle. For instance in this case it is clear from the records that this individual has taught in various public district schools including; Prince George’s County Public School, Alexandria City public schools and Albuquerque City Public School. The experience of these types of schools then clarifies that the individual will hardly encounter problems should he or she get to teach in Baltimore City School. How a feedback attained during teaching practice can be applied in during teaching For any teaching practice to be regarded successful or effective, it will depend on whether the students have achieved the objective of the course. This can only be determined by the performance of the students (Weimer150). For example, hardly do students fail assessments of courses handled by their preferred teachers. This tends to imply that the student - teacher relationship is a key factor for an effective teaching practice (Cohen, Manion & Morrison 152). Therefore, teachers should try and create a good learning environment for his or her class, even if it requires the change of habit, trait, or methods used in teaching students. As for this case of Baltimore City School, a teacher, might be forced to change some of the teaching methodology that are common are not relevant to the class he or she is handling. For instance, a teacher who can successfully handle a class of 20 students through a teacher-student direct program might be forced to change his or her method of teaching when handling a class of 50 students. This is because a single teacher might find it difficult to assist each of these 50 students directly. He or she can then decide to change the teaching approach from direct teacher-student method for assessing them as groups of 5 students each. This way, this teacher will have achieved his or her goals (Cohen, Manion & Morrison 237). According to conditions in BCPS, a teacher can be forced to change teaching methods that might combine several students in a single class to a method of grouping them (Richard & Thomas 90). This approach can be used in order to ensure effective learning among the students is achieved regardless of shortage of teachers. Works Cited Cohen, Louis. Manion, Lawrence & Morrison Keith. A Guide to Teaching Practice. London: Rutledge, 2012. Print. Richards, Jack, C., & Farrell, Thomas, S. C. Practice Teaching: A Reflective Approach. Cambridge: University Press, 2011. Print. Weimer, Maryellen. Learner-Centred Teaching: Five Key Changes to Practice. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2013. Print. Read More