Language variation in education by Mai https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2 1. What are the pros and cons of deciding educational policy by means of a ballot initiative? 2. If test scores improve after a new approach to English language learners is implemented, does that mean that the policy worked? What other factors should we keep in mind in determining which approach is effective? 3. What other comments and questions do you have about bilingual education? en-us 2016-11-28 18:57:35 UTC 2026-03-17 10:36:33 UTC hello@padlet.com Erin Rose 1 kao_diru_en_gurei https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330314 Depending on demographic of registered voters, certain initiatives can hurt the school systems more than help them. When people who aren't aware of how the educational system works are asked to vote, students are the ones that end up living with those consequences. Ballot initiatives can be great if we ensure the public is made aware of what is being passed.]]> 2016-11-28 20:20:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330314 Felix: Question 1 https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330405
A ballot initiative or petition can force a discussion about education and highlight the problems within the system. But there is no guarantee that issue being proclaimed will be acknowledged in a plebiscite because not ereybody might be as invested in the issue as the people who started the public vote or be as educated on the issue.]]> 2016-11-28 20:20:42 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330405 1. pros: people have a say, most if not all are represented by voting. erbeardaly https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330435 cons: people have a say, votes can be misinformed, etc.
2. I think test scores by no means is an accurate way to tell anything, but I think if there is an overall improvement, I think it is possible that the policy did work and is more effective for English language learners. 
3. Why aren't we doing bilingual education now??

]]> 2016-11-28 20:20:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330435 Ballot Initiative- Julia Robben https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330557 Pros: getting to vote in a democracy and letting everyone have a say, you can hear both sides of the argument for or against this policy
Cons: not everyone who votes it educated on the issues which may cause more problems than previously existed, in addition to not being educated on the issues, not everyone necessarily knows the fundamentals about education and how a policy would impact schools]]> 2016-11-28 20:21:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330557 https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330627 1. Well, it means that a lot of people that are not well versed in the education field will be voting for something that could drastically change schools. This could allow for some new ideas to be put into schools, or it could lead to some disastrous results because we have random people deciding how students should be taught. 
2. I would assume that if test scores improve and this policy was the only thing that was changed, then yes, this means that it probably worked. There are lot of variables that could be part of the situation as well, so it is hard to say for sure. 
3. Is the bilingual education going to be for English speakers as well? We have other language classes now, but normally they are just Spanish or French (not that there's anything wrong with those). Will there be other languages offered in schools? 
Look a picture! ]]> 2016-11-28 20:21:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330627 Brittany: Ballot Initiative https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330643 Pros:  Allowing the public to voice their opinions on the matter, direct connection between change and who the change will most affect
Cons: Who are the individuals that are most likely to be in charge of a ballot initiative? Is it legally acceptable to have hispanics head a ballot initiative, but socially prohibited?
]]> 2016-11-28 20:21:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330643 Question 1 https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330714 Pros: People can vote on an educational policy 
The majority will get what they want
Cons: The majority will get what they want and the minority get left out. 
People that are uneducated about specific policy consequences are voting for something they know nothing about. 

]]> 2016-11-28 20:21:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330714 Arthur https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330780 1.A con may be that of a majority being unaware or perhaps knowingly voting against policies that would be beneficial for a minority group. A pro, similar to the con, would be that a community in the process of voting would hopefully be familiar with the various needs of a community; the more local the scale of effect (of the policy) the more familiar and more well-informed the individual voter would be, ideally.
2. Not necessarily. A major policy change, one would hope, with regards to any issue, would be accompanied by a public change in perception of the issue in question. A policy change may provide resources or generate new methods, but it would also be accompanied by shifting public perceptions of what is helpful/deterring to progress and effective action. -- ethical and evidential groundings for policy or resistance to it
3. ]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330780 Larry https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330846 1.  Pros: ensures a fair representation of what the community wants to see done
Cons: many people aren't fully informed on the issues that need to be handled
2.  yes, although there can be many factors that resulted in better scores
3. -]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:08 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330846 https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330893 1. Pros: parents have the right to choose factors that influence their child's education. Hopefully, the demographics will influence the results of the vote.
Cons: A large majority of voters will probs be English-only speakers and might not be educatedon the issue
2. It depends on what is being tested on and how much the scores improved. I also think it would be difficult to isolate one element.]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330893 Sistinas 1. https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330904 Pros: Everyone can decide on it
Cons: every one can decide on it. meaning people who don't really understand or know what's going on can vote.
2. If test scores improved then it's reasonable to believe that this has had some sort of positive impact on the students but it could also be a lot of different things. like "better" teachers. Teaching just the new material could have an affect on the children
3. none]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:20 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330904 Josh https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330978 1.
Pros: Allows democratic process and more exposure to the general public since it affects everyone in the community. 
Cons: People have to have an opinion to vote, and many people will not do so for various reasons.

2. There could be several confounding variables in the equation, meaning that there isn't a guarantee that the changes were the direct cause of the increase in test scores. Plus, test scores do not always accurately reflect the proficiency of a student.

]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:42 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330978 Rachel- https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330985 1.Pros: everyone has a vote.
Cons: some may not have enough knowledge about the issue or care as much. 
2. If scores improve that doesn't necessarily show that the policy worked. It could just be showing that the teaching improved or it could mean it worked. It is good to keep in mind who is teaching, how they are teaching, to whom they are teaching to, different exercises used ext.]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140330985 Britney K. https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331000 1. Pro:
 A ballot initiative would allow for more people to vote on the topic. 
More people would become involved in their communities education system.
Con: 
Depending of varying view points it could stir up arguments if the question is misunderstood.]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331000 Erin Rose 2 kao_diru_en_gurei https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331019 If test scores improve after a new approach, it's totally possible that the new approach had something to do with it. However, it is most likely not the biggest cause. There are other things such as funding, environment, educational support, and teaching styles that can be more or equally as effective. ]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:51 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331019 Courtney https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331028 1. Pro - The people get to decide
Con - Some voters aren't properly informed 

2. Enough time needs to pass before deciding if the higher test scores are the result of the new policy or something else 

3. None]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331028 Test Scores- Julia Robben https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331049 I don't think it necessarily means the policy worked because test scores are not always an accurate representation of a student's knowledge or potential. It can mean that the policy worked; I just don't know if it's like that 100% of the time. It's also important to consider how recently the policy was implemented and the methods used in the classroom to implement it.]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:56 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331049 Alyssa McGhee https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331059 1. Pro- allows everyone to have a better education.
con-some might not like that everyone would have a better chance. 
2. i think it only works out for that section of the program not the others like math, science, history,etc.
3. still trying to figure out how does it actually works. ]]> 2016-11-28 20:22:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331059 Question 1 https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331140 pro: the people would vote for their own region instead of somebody else making the decisions
con: people with no education background and possible prejudices are given the reins but don't take in account the actual effects]]> 2016-11-28 20:23:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331140 Question 2 https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331383 I think you can look at the policy as if it did work. But I think its very important to evaluate policies based on other things that are not test scores- such as how much the STUDENT feels they have grasped concepts. Test scores only mean so much. I think anything can be improved. 

]]> 2016-11-28 20:24:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331383 Erin Rose 3 kao_diru_en_gurei https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331758 My main comment is that getting parental and community support in regards to bilingual education can be the best asset in a classroom with emphasis on bilingual education. Bringing in parents and members of the community to address the classroom gives opportunity to normalize bilingualism and show its prevalence in today's society.]]> 2016-11-28 20:25:27 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331758 Brittany #2: Test Scores and Effectiveness https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331837 Though standardized test scores are going to improve, we need to also consider what skills improve outside of the regimented curriculum---more colloquial items, such as social speech, interviewing skills, public speaking, communication, self-expression, understanding of art and those around them. 

]]> 2016-11-28 20:25:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331837 Question https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331876 The students could be getting more help than they had before that isn't related to the language issue]]> 2016-11-28 20:25:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140331876 Question 3 https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140332255 True bilingual education seems like the best way to do it, but I can think of a lot of arguments that too many people in power may have, such as the practice being anti-American and a waste of money on American soil.]]> 2016-11-28 20:27:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140332255 Felix: Question 2 https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140332277 Language proficiency is not only reflected by test scores. More than that it is important the implement learning strategies that also focus on context dependent language education.]]> 2016-11-28 20:27:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140332277 Brittany #3: Questions or Concerns https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140332460 I am still struggling with how to visualize a bilingual classroom. I understand why it might be necessary, but in terms of instruction and curriculum, the decisions that are made seem to baffle me. There are many different lessons and units that are apart of everyday grammar classes--how do you choose which language you do to make sure they know and understand the content you are giving them.]]> 2016-11-28 20:27:55 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140332460 Britney K. https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140333139 2. I believe that if test scores improve that it is a clear sign that the new method has worked. There are probably other elements to take into consideration but that would mean that the school corporation monitor these elements ]]> 2016-11-28 20:30:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140333139 #3 Julia Robben https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140333541 I think that it's important to recognize that if bilingual education is going to be implemented successfully, then it requires effort from not only the students and teachers, but also parents and the community as a whole.]]> 2016-11-28 20:31:53 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140333541 Britney K. https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140334050 3. Why aren't we funding this!? Just kidding, but really though...]]> 2016-11-28 20:33:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mkuha/9rzabbqymgf2/wish/140334050