Contextual Factors Educ 3100

Contextual Factors Everything but the teaching process that influences the teaching process. –Student characteristics –Materials and supplies –Physical environment –Teacher and Classroom –Collegiality –Administration –Political mandates

Student Characteristics Physical, emotional, and social development Exceptionality Language barriers Home effects –Income –Parent availability –Family turmoil Relationships

Materials and Supplies Textbooks Maps Paper Technology Art supplies Manipulatives What else?

Physical Environment Space Air quality Temperature Noise level Location Distracting materials.....?

Teacher and Classroom Helpful Willing to work with students and parents Likes kids Invigorated about subject matter Inspiring Interesting but organized classroom

Collegiality Community of learners? Competition School goals Common purpose Kindness and helpful.... ?

Administration Collaborative or authoritarian Hidden administration Formative Common goals Fair Focused on students

School Level Information Most districts have school information posted at their web site Generally, web sites follow a standard: – Examples: –

Political Mandates U-PASS –Utah Performance Assessment System for Students –Requires LOTS of testing CRTs at each grade and subject NRTs at 3, 5, 8, 11 Direct Writing at 6 & 9 BSCT beginning at 10 –Requires LOTS of reporting

Political Mandates NCLB –Not new: Reauthorization of Elementary And Secondary Education Act of 1965 –All children will Be proficient in language arts and mathematics Be proficient in the English language Be taught by highly qualified teachers Learn in a safe and drug free school Graduate from high school –Uses existing tests for students –New demands of teachers

Political Mandates And if not... –Failure to make AYP – Annual Yearly Progress (Title 1 School) –1 st year – warning –2 nd year in a row (same subject) In need of improvement, offer school choice –3 rd year Supplemental services –6 th failing year – alternative governance

For next class Look at the websites listed on the website under Objectives Print out the three Bloom’s handouts from the website.