Texts and Links for Assignment 2

1. Some texts that could be used to connect to chapters Asian math success, cultural legacy and schooling (Chris)
2. http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016048.html--extends claims on practice. (Devan)
3. http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/l/lafeber-global.html?_r=1 complicates access to 10,000 hours (Devan)

4. Jaime Escalante and Jack Dirmann.  “The Jaime Escalante Math Program,” The Journal of Negro Education, Vol. 59, No. 3 (Summer, 1990), pp. 407-423. This article is by the math teacher featured in the movie Stand By Me. He explains the system he developed for the students he taught, how he motivated them, how he spurred them to success, and how he organized them into groups, etc. Could be usefully connected to chapter 9, "Marita's Bargain." (Chris)

5. "Building a Better Teacher," ELIZABETH GREEN, New York Times Magazine, March 2, 2010. A powerful examination of what characterizes excellent teaching, the role teachers play in student success, ways of changing how teachers do their jobs, reforming teacher training, etc. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/magazine/07Teachers-t.html?src=me&ref=homepage

6. Discussion of the article "Building Better Teachers" on a blog that discusses education issues.

7. "The New Jim Crow." Michelle Alexander, The Nation, March 9, 2010. This text argues that a major reason for the disproportionate failure of African Americans is a set of racist policies that have created a "racial undercaste." http://www.thenation.com/doc/20100322/alexander?rel=emailNation

8. “Other People’s Success: Impact of the “Model Minority” Myth on Underachieving Asian Students in North America.” Guofang Li. KEDI Journal of Educational Policy Vol.2 No.1 2005 69-86. Abstract: This paper revisits the “model minority” myth and examines how it has become a

   “destructive myth” for those underachieving Asian children who do not fit the stereotypes. It argues that contemporary “model minority” images promote invisibility and disguise the social realities of many Asian students who are not successful. Therefore, these images are false representations of many Asian students and have posed as a threat to their educational advancement. To further demythologize the “model minority” myth, this paper reveals the academic difficulties of a Chinese student who lived under the shadow of other children’s success. The case study demonstrates that among other factors, the “model minority” images contribute to Asian students’ underachievement. The stereotypes have enhanced mainstream school’s “blaming the victims” approach toward underachieving Asian students; and have heightened Asian parents’ “education fever.” The analysis suggests that more attention needs to be paid to the individual lived experiences of these struggling learners to facilitate their academic success. Key words: model minority, underachieving Asian students, education fever, cross-cultural schooling.

9. Diane Ravitch Wants the 'Public' Back in Public Schools by By David Glenn, Chronicle of Higher Education