ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL SYSTEM: PROS AND CONS.
Today alternative schools become more and more popular. And it was shown recently that graduates of the alternative schools reach really good results and they are going on to college without problems.
Alternative School provides a structured learning environment and offers a variety of methods and materials that meet the individual needs of students, while maintaining clearly defined limits and strictly enforced consequences for inappropriate behaviour.
The curriculum is that of the Public Schools with emphasis on behaviour modification, individualization, and small group instruction.
As you know there are two types of school system – traditional and alternative. Traditional school system also known as conventional education refers to a long-established customs, found in schools that society has traditionally believed appropriate. But today traditional school system is considered to be outdated, because it doesn’t response to demands of modern society, to say in other words it doesn’t perform its main functions - to provide children with necessary knowledge and abilities for solution of problems that take place in our time. It doesn’t prepare children for a difficult future, where they have to fine some job and try to earn money. One more disadvantage of traditional school system is that it makes teaching hated and uninteresting for our children. They are so tired of teachers and classes that they simply sit through the whole day and then rush out to go home. It doesn’t happen due to their dislike of some particular subjects or teachers; the contemporary phenomenon is that kids don’t accept their school as a whole.
As for alternative school system, is characterized by the use of a child-centred approach, that is focused on each pupil’s's needs, abilities, interests. Here the teacher doesn’t impose the view on the pupils who passively follow, pupils learn to discuss and listen, to respect the contribution of each of them from the very start. In general, alternative schools have more comprehensive educational and developmental objectives than conventional schools. They often have curriculum elements that focus on improving student self-esteem , fostering growth of individuality, and enhancing social skills. Alternative schools are more flexible in their organization and administration, which allows for more variety in educational programs. Today there, are lots of alternatives to conventional schooling, such as specialized colleges, gymnasiums, lyceums. Parents today are free to choose what school they would send their children to.
|
|
|
The Point Card System is a vital part of the school's program in some alternative schools. Students receive points as part of our behaviour management program. The purpose of this system is to help students and teachers track the students’ progress in behaviour and to help modify inappropriate behaviours. Points are earned for preparation, assignment, and consideration.
We can name some main aspects of the Alternative School system:
- provides special education classes for learning disabled students and emotionally disturbed students.
- offers a variety of instructional methods with an emphasis on individualization.
- provides individualized counselling to help students develop self-discipline and to encourage good citizenship.
- encourages parental involvement in the students' education and utilizes appropriate community agencies.
- Alternative School's behavioural management system provides consequences for negative behaviour and immediate reinforcement for positive behaviour.
The brightest example of alternative school systems was launched in the USA, in NY. This programme called – the City-as-School, works in the following way: high school students spend their days in the theatres, museums, governmental officies as part-time apprentices. It seems to be very practical type of education. The programme is individually tailored to the students’ needs and interests. Credits are given for satisfactory completion of assignments and the student stand as good a chance of getting into a college as their counterparts from ordinary high schools. Many of the CAS students are those who are bored and unhappy with conventional education.
In conclusion of my speculation about school system, I’d like to say that school system should meet the demands of the contemporary society.
There are many reasons why parents choose to opt out of the state system and send their children to private schools. Some are opposed to mixed schooling (most private schools are single-sex, at least until the age of 16): some are opposed to the comprehensive system, believing that, for example, mixed-ability classes do not make the best provision for the most and least able children. Others believe that there are social advantages to be gained from attending certain schools, particularly the exclusive public schools, which are the most expensive. These parents therefore feel they ought to make substantial sacrifices to give their children a good start in life.
|
|
|
More and more parents seem prepared to take on the formidable extra cost of buying the kind of education they prefer for their children. As a result many fee-paying schools have long waiting lists.
To pay school fees, most parents have to cut down on their household expenditure, mainly holidays and travel. They have to find ways of increasing the income.
Дата добавления: 2019-02-22; просмотров: 661; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!