How much do we know about Mexico's schools?

[raquelita]

Journalist Andrew Lam's linked article, which is of interest beyond its timely headline,led me to think about how little I know about what goes on day by day in Mexican schools. Lam left Vietnam for the US when he was twelve.
http://redroom.com/member/andrew-q-lam/b...new-heroes
[url]http://redroom.com/member/andrew-q-lam/blog/after-newtownteachers-are-the-new-heroes
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[Jzmackenzie]

Prepare to be disappointed if you visit a rural school in Mexico. I have been volunteering in them for 8 years. The teachers have the same hearts of gold as other teachers, but they are undertrained. Teachers are a higher social status, so they do not live where the children live; they are bussed in from higher status areas and the kids know it.

The textbooks are written for high class students. The books stay at school because roofs leak in the campo. Teachers are given the actual tests and teach the right answers.

Children are not taught critical thinking skills at school; they learn that at home from their parents, grandparents, other relatives and friends. Few adults get past 5th grade. Only 1 of every 500 rural kids is accepted into high school.

Are you disappointed yet?

Jacquie

(Arizona State certified teacher birth - grade 12 in reading, writing, math, business, and special education)