When it comes to the second part of the book, I liked it even better then the first part! I had the chance to learn about American public schools, and the way they were portrayed back then in a way surprised me, but not by much. School became a big part of America, and were required to stay in school longer to gain more knowledge, however, usually after elementary school, most children would leave school, and go work with their family, and as a result most children did not have an education past and 8th grade level.
In places such as New York, there was a big population of immigrants, and in the schooling system it became mandatory for children to speak, read, and write in English only. Sure this was an improvement for everyone, and it was good for others to learn how to speak English
but some people thought they were losing their culture.
Another problem that came about was the way education was being taught. Immigrants came to America to live a better life, not for their children to learn how to sew and work with their hands. People felt as though their children were just set up to be put out into a working class and not learn anything that will learn them in the direction to be something such as a doctor, and that outraged people. Things eventually improved, but not for people of minority. Intelligence tests were given out to determine who would do things from going to war, to who would go to special advanced programs and work for places like NASA. Although things have changed, sadly this is still how some things function in America's public school system.
Your enthusiasm for this section was so cute! I LOVE the visuals too. And you're definitely right, unfortunately some things have not changed and is still how things go in America. Your reaction to this section was very similar to mine!
ReplyDeleteI like visual, very creative. The children came here to go to school to have a better future not spend long hour working at factories daily
ReplyDeleteI feel that every student should be given an equal opportunity and education to learn and advance i.e. their career and life altogether. Immigrants come to United States to achieve American dream by educating themselves. Immigrants faced segregation in schools and their activities. The immigrant children were discouraged to learn college prep courses, which I feel was not only a loss for the student itself but also a loss to the society.
ReplyDeleteDuring my parents time they didn't have any further education past 8th grade because high schools and colleges would be for upper classes which result in my family working in the sugar cane field and fish and sell for money.
ReplyDeleteSo having the opportunity to not only achieve my parents expectations and make something out of myself is a smile on their faces.
Even in education we have to sacrifice something for the better good as some immigrants risk their life and future to gain some education that would be helpful to them.
Even today I still sense bias in the school system of those who used money to get into upper universities/schools compare to those who earned their way in.