USVI Educational Practices? Theories?

       As many other institutions that are government based, or educational professionals leading the institutions with the Virgin Islands are doing the minimum to keep their jobs, and the doors open; our children are not the reason for these institutions we are for the intents set forth are not with the children in mind. I've often wondered if our educational leaders have ever read different philosophies/theories with regards to education, and if so which ones do they uphold? For nothing I've ever learned, researched, or read has ever leaded me to believe that the minimum efforts being set for education within our territory is actually being productive on a larger scale. Common core standards were made with territories like us in mind, to ensure all students are being taught on the same scales to ensure progression in all learning environments. I can say personally that our educational leaders here aren't doing their best, if trying at all for many freshman students are having the same problems adjusting as I once had and determination is necessary to succeed. Educational practices around the world are derived from educators who spent their lives work on education and focusing on different ways to ensure success for students, since we all do learn differently. Locally we do offer some private institutions which pride themselves on following these leaders, as does Montessori School, whose curriculum is based on the Montessori Method, a system of early childhood education funded on the ideas and practices of Maria Montessori. Montessori educators implement their method through five basic principles that are lacking in many of our educational institutions (mainly those governments based); Respect for the child, the concept of the absorbent mind, sensitive periods, the prepared environment and auto-education/self education. Now while all teachers and educational professionals practice this to an extent, it should become more of a primary rather than a secondary, it shows both students and parents that educators are engaged in their profession and that it is more than a job, just by taking a little extra time out to prepare/facilitate engaging environments it actually makes the class more engaged to learn. Children should be at the center of each activity, once the environment is ready this gives the teacher adequate time needed to assess each individuals needs and progress. While I am not suggesting that we all send our children to Montessori School, I do suggest we find schools that do hold some of their ideals, as well as those of other prominent educational professionals that have also greatly contributed to early childhood education in many aspects.

       Jean Piaget was another prominent educator from the twentieth century whose ideals are still mirrors in curriculums and schools across the nation today. Piaget's ideas, among other theorist, support the ideals that children actively seek knowledge. Many of us have seen this in an inquisitive child or one who mimics the actions of others; it is their innate actions to learn. These theories provide us with the guidance or will necessary to ponder on those theories/activities that do help children progress and to in turn develop those programs that support and progress children's learning so that others may continue to benefit from it. I personally believe in the power of structured play or the active learning theory which means that children learn through physical and mental engaging activities. Piaget also developed three stages of cognitive development; Sensorimotor (birth-2yrs), Preoperational (2-7yrs), and Concrete Operations (7-12). Using these concepts all educational institutions should structure a scaffold age appropriate progressive activities for all students to participate in daily. These activities would prove to be more effective for they would have been scaffold to fit individual student groups which is much more effective than one size fits all.

       Once more I am not saying that we should all send our children to private or charter schools, what I am saying is that we should require more of the educational professionals in charge of such and the institutions themselves for that path that we are on is destructive. The only people who can fix such a path are those who it directly affects, and since children aren't mature enough to derive to such conclusions this leaves us, the parent to become the responsible party. If we don't then we run the risk of sending our children out into a world that they not ready for by many means; I'm sure many of us has seen how this path can end or where it may lead. Virgin Islands parents I implore you all to check on the progressions of your child within the learning environment that they are, see if materials being used are age appropriate, adequate in terms of safety and the amount needed for constructive use by all children. Find out about physical education, nutritional, and leaning policies or theories if there are any in place; this information can be the future of your child's fundamental abilities and the base of which their knowledge will be based on so I'm sure as any parent does, you will all want the best possible.