Changing Expectations so That No Child Will be Left Behind

Phillip G. Eaglin, Ph.D.
Changing Expectations (2005)
ISBN 0977365603
Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (5/06)

Dr. Eaglin approaches the idea of teaching so that 'no child is left behind' in a way that I've never heard, or even thought of. He brings ideas and facts to the table to make one, especially one in a teaching profession, take a second look not only at how the system works but how they, as teachers, think and perform. His ideas, while not always main stream, definitely make one take a second look.

He brings to light that the reason for the drastic changes in the teaching system of the United States is because so many of the African-American and non-white children seem to have gotten lost in the system; the changes and theories proposed to change this problem simply don't add up. He brings to light that the average teacher is a male, European-American (white), educated person. The average teacher therefore has no clue what the non-white students truly need or think as he's given a very biased training that has been accepted and even applauded for too many years.

Dr. Eaglin doesn't scream racism. He doesn't cry poverty for the African-American child. He does, however, cry inaccuracy. He feels that most teachers aren't presented with a truthful approach of what the average black child needs to learn. They're taught that "all children are alike", look at them through non-colored glasses because everyone's the same. The harsh reality is, they are NOT all the same. They all have differences and instead of combining all the differences into one lump, educators should learn how to teach WITH these differences instead of against. He takes one teacher, Carl, and not only retrains him to think differently than originally taught (proving old dogs can learn new tricks) but actually watches as Carl not only change his methods of teaching but find enjoyment in seeing kids he would have otherwise cast aside as 'not interested' and somewhat 'unteachable,' becoming enthusiastic and motivated about learning.

In particular the science field is where many non-white children seem to be left behind. Dr. Eaglin's theory on why they are left behind is simple yet something most would not even think of. Most people think African-American can't learn because of their circumstances, whether that be poverty, lack of a good home life or lack of an educated parent. Almost as if we just simply expect the child, because of his color, to be less of a person. We accept, as teachers, that the black kid is going to learn slower. We expect less of them, simply based on what we were taught. One instance that stands out to me when I read this book is the comment made by one teacher to her teaching assistant that there are two groups of black children. She will find that there are the 'white-blacks' and the 'black-blacks', meaning that some act just like the white kids and come from middle class to wealthy families while others are basically unable to perform up to those 'white kids' standards. While most would look at this comment as not only very racist but very biased and inappropriate, it was completely accepted amongst her peers as she spoke the words in a teacher's lounge. It was an accepted thought... not that the black kids were 'less' but basically, they were expected to perform at a lesser level based simply on their 'blackness'.

Dr. Eaglin provides not only insight as to the problems of many of the teaching standards and ways of thought but helps to show that if we begin to EXPECT more and challenge ALL students more, in particular the African-American students, we will get better results. If they're expected to perform very little and learn only minimum amounts, that's what they will give us.

“Changing Expectations so that No Child Will Be Left Behind” is enlightening and informative. Any teacher, whether old or new, would not only fare well from reading Eaglin’s theories and techniques but would end up realizing that while they may truly think we live in a colorless world when it comes to schools and teaching, we simply do not. There ARE differences and we need to not only encompass these differences by making the information we provide to our students something that ALL would learn from but acknowledge these differences and show how they can still be used in a positive way.

A favorite concept I enjoyed was an instance where another instructor was approached and asked, why do you focus on plants in this science class that most kids and in particular most all of these black kids would never even remotely see, let alone care about? Why, instead, do you not offer that everyone bring a plant in from their neighborhood to study and learn about. You will not only encompass a difference amongst the group of students but will keep everyone's attention as it pertains to not only finding out something new for the kids not of this ethnic background but learning about something FROM these different ethnic backgrounds. Think about it, a Russian immigrant is not going to grow the same flowers and edible plants and produce in their gardens as a white Anglo-Saxon or an African-American. Some may not have gardens but only weeds around but have not clue about those weeds. What Dr. Eaglin promotes is not only acknowledging these differences in life style due to ethnic background but encompassing them so ALL of the children in the class can learn.

I applaud the author for not only giving a very comprehensive view of the teaching world today but giving answers as to how to actually, truly create a "No Child Left Behind" atmosphere that can thrive.

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