Hello Everyone,
I am focusing my research paper on Head Start Readiness. While interviewing Ms. C and Mrs. M, they stated to me that changing the Curriculum every year is something that should be addressed; as well as literacy, accommodations, and parent involvement are the main issues in Head Start. They both stated that with since the Curriculum is changing they have to revamp their lesson plans to meet the requirements of the state and the needs of their students.
Both educators agreed that literacy and language should be labeled as the same; however, their Curriculum or Continuum Gold booklet has broken each area down. Now the students (ages 4-5) will have to write to convey meaning. I thought that students learn that in Kindergarten. Education is expanding with time.
Accommodations for disabled children another concern of these educators. They stated that they do not have the proper equipments to educate some disabled children. They also stated that the funds are short; and the main office does not have the money to meet these needs. They also stated that they sometime purchase activities to meet the needs of all children. Is this fair. I feel that when an educator wants her students to learn; he or she will go the extra mile for success.
Parent Involvement is something that they encourage parents to do by interacting in the classrooms; helping the students with their homework, and attending parenthood meeting to voice their opinions about their child's progress. The parents also attend Policy Council meetings every month to express what they feel the Curriculum should be based on, so that the children will have obtained the knowledge they need for Kindergarten.
The only issues the encountered among the colleagues are implementing work that is to advanced or not advanced enough; and knowing how to collaborate with the parents.
During my observation I discovered that some parents are very young and will not voice their opinions or concerns about their children. I overheard on stating that, "It is the teachers' job to teach my child everything." Why would a parent not want to have a say so in his or her child's future?
