Rethinking Education- Chapter 7

In this chapter, they discussed that as parents decide to take their children out of the public schools and take over their education, the schools will be left with uninterested students.  I can see this as a good and bad thing.  If the students that are left are really uninterested, by having only them in the school, the teachers can devote more time to them and possibly get them more interested in school and the subjects.  Some of these students may not be interested in school because of some of the other students.  These "uninterested" students may be intimidated by the more advanced students and without them the "uninterested" students may become more interested and actually do better in school.  But, it is a large problem when some students do not have access to the same educational tools and resources as others.  As the book stated, students that do have access to the educational tools and private educations pull ahead in life and there is no competing.  Sometimes I worry that everyone is so competitive that children can’t even be kids anymore.  Parents are educating their kids as soon as they can talk and preparing them for school.  But unfortunately, not all families can afford the most prestigious schools and educational tools.  This creates a problem for the lower income families.  Access to computers and internet is another big problem.  If teachers require students to use the internet for homework or listen to podcasts at home, they are creating a problem for those students who may not have access to the internet or a computer at home. 
Another interesting point the book made was that if students are able to choose their course of study, they will chose subjects that interest them.  They may not choose the history class and will not have some of the basic knowledge that all individuals should have.  But then again, the individual will be learning what interests them and they will therefore be more engaged. 
One very positive gain to a more individualized education is that there would not be as much competition in school between students.   Students would be less likely to compare themselves and focus on their studies and what they are learning and how they are doing as an individual instead of being ranked in their class and feeling like a failure. 

As a teacher, I will make sure that all my students have access to the technology they need to succeed.  I will make sure that if students have to use a computer or internet, I allow time during the school day for them to work on this so those without access can complete the task and not have to feel ashamed or fall behind because they do not have access to the technology.  I will also work hard to try to make all my students feel confident in their work.  I do not want to have a class where students are comparing themselves to others.  I want students who focus on their own learning.