Shifting the Paradigm. (Week 2 Argument)

     Shifting the Paradigm from Deficit-Oriented Schools to Asset-based Models: Why Leaders Need to promote an Asset-Orientation in our Schools

By: Shannon Renkly, Katherine Bertolini

This week's article for discussion is about the importance of how schools should be proactive about harnessing student's assets by trying to identify them and making their assets flourish. This is in contrast to how the majority of schools usually focus on students ' behaviors and attempt to correct these said risks. These as the title of this post suggests are asset-based models vs a deficit-based model. 

     The authors of this article talk in favor of the asset-based model and how crucial it is for students to focus on what they are capable of doing. The Authors cite multiple studies that when schools apply this said model, they see better results in their students' academic progress. Currently, the Deficit-Based model focuses on what students are not capable of doing and sets low expectations for its students. The source they use (Lombardi 2016) goes even further into the Deficit model stating that it believes the failure is from the students not putting in the effort necessary to complete their work.  The authors go on to state that the Asset model should be applied to both the students and the school's staff as well. Meaning that the content for students is adapted for them with high expectations, but those expectations are met with a collaborative and trusting environment. As for the staff, the authors state that the Asset Model helps with teachers' ability for leadership and instructional capabilities. 

      This article brings positive information to the teaching environment and should be implemented across the state to the best of every teacher's ability. While this should be implemented, it does raise concerns about what the students are capable of doing in a school environment. If the students are only able to perform well with what they are capable of doing, are they growing and learning as students? Now when the deficit-based model has results proven to be beneficial to students as stated in the article. (Scales, 1999). The only concern though is what happens when a student is given a challenge in school that their skills do not help with overcoming. Not that these students should be discouraged for that. Just some thought about how the asset method could be improved upon.

Sources with hyperlinks

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/deficit-model-is-harming-students-janice-lombardi

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10332647/

 

My Introduction (Alexander LaMontagne)

     

      Hello, my name is Alexander LaMontagne. I am a Secondary Education History Major at Rhode Island College and this is the start of my blog for FNED 246/546. As this is my first time writing, I am introducing myself with a major hobby I enjoy doing and what I bring to the table regarding the education system. 

     The major hobby that I am most proud of is my races that happen throughout the year. I currently run a multitude of races that happen across Rhode Island. These range from 5k's to half marathons.  Some races included are the Blessing of the Fleet 10-mile race, Providence Downtown 5k, and the Colt State Park Half Marathon. I am also part of a running team that meets once a week called the Adult Sentinel Striders. A lifelong goal that I hope to achieve before I am 30 is to run in the Boston Marathon in under 3 hours. But that is more wishful thinking on my part. Hopefully one day it will happen. The major contribution that I believe could help students in the education world is my ability to keep students engaged with the content. For years I have been good at keeping and retaining adolesents attention with a variety of different subjects. The subjects that I have had the most success with have been history, chess, and basic mathematics. I have made great strides working with kids at residential facilities and public school systems. Not only do kids engage when I attempt but have looked forward to wanting to learn from the material. I started noticing this from my time working with kids for the past 3 1/2 years. I really hope that I can bring this skill of mine to education field