Magnet Schools

Magnet Schools: An Opportunity of Education or Education Disparity?

We are often put into situations that are not fitting of us and it is up to us to either get out of the situation or make the best of it. Parents want their children to receive quality education but sometimes a child is placed into a school that doesn’t have a curriculum challenging enough for a student. Luckily, there are other avenues for us to take in order to get a quality education without the cost of a private school or the many disadvantages of attending your neighborhood school. This brings me to my case and point, the benefits of magnet school. Magnet schools offer an intense curriculum and are a middle ground between public and private institutions. There may be some downfalls of the magnet program but the benefits are of an abundance. Yet, it is up to a parent and their child to determine if the magnet program is right for them. When you think of a classroom, especially now being in college, we think of a large student to teacher ratio. It is hard for a teacher to focus all their attention and energy into the needs of one student because of the sizes of classes. That is why in magnet programs the student to teacher ratio is cut down drastically. This gives teachers the ability to concentrate on the needs of the students individually which can lead to an increase in grade point averages which are beneficial when applying to colleges. Also, with a smaller class size the teacher is able to move more swiftly through the course material because there is a smaller chance of confusion and misunderstanding and there is a greater chance that the students are moving at the same pace. Grade point averages must be maintained in magnet programs. Magnet schools are known to have a strict admissions process and retention regulations in order to weed out those who will not keep up with the rigorous curriculum. The reason this is often smiled upon among parents is because it teaches their child responsibility. Giving the student a set grade point average to abide by gives a smaller opportunity to create error. Your still allowed to make mistakes but your mistakes are often corrected quickly due to things such as probation and possibly being dropped from the program. Being that it is often not until a students grade point average is severely jeopardized before a he/she realizes that they are not headed in the right track, magnet schools make aid in making this known before the grade drops are so severe. Even athletes are required to keep up their grade point averages unlike many neighborhood schools where their grades are often overlooked because they are athletes. All magnet students are expected to be able to balance school work and extra-curricular activities effectively. In neighborhood schools a majority of the students are of the same race because of the dominance of that race in that area. Since magnet schools are not separated by school zones magnet schools tend to be racially blended and diverse. This gives students an idea of the real world when it comes to interacting with different cultures and racial backgrounds which is something most neighborhood children do not experience until attending college or entering into the work force. Magnet schools were actually created in order to give students the choice to attend an integrated school and not for education purposes which is why diversity plays a major role in the selection process. Instead of being segregated based on race they are students are segregated based on their abilities and talents. Magnet schools often receive specialized equipment and labs because they receive special funding. Equipment can range from newer textbooks, or in some cases, electronic equipment such as computers. Students that may not have access to computers and other electronic equipment at home have the opportunity to interact with these devices while at school. Students also receive exposure to different cultures and information, not books or video but by actual experience through trips. Being that the lesson plans are often set for the teachers and less time is spent on repetitious lessons magnet program students receive the opportunity to attend more field trips then those in neighborhood schools. Parental involvement is strongly suggested in the magnet program which helps when dealing with the funding for the school and programs. Statistically parental involvement leads to higher grades and standardize test scores and improved behavior of the child. When parents are aware of what their children are learning, they are more likely to help when they are requested by teachers to become more involved in their children 's learning activities at home. This is helpful when a child’s specialized courses are moving at a faster pace then they are use to and this keeps the curriculum moving at an appropriate pace. The goal of the magnet program is to promote high achievement, cultural diversity, and choice of curriculum delivery (Chen 1). And while magnet schools may hold a few disadvantages it is still a valuable learning opportunity. In many urban or lower class areas a child’s talents are often over looked and parents can not afford to place their children into private institutions narrowing their options when it comes to finding a challenging curriculum for their child. No longer does a child have to be picked on for having a desire to learn and to be challenged. Magnet programs in urban areas are a better educational opportunity for many children and depending on the child, magnet schools may be just the avenue necessary in order to get out that unfitting situation they are placed in.

Work Cited

Lynne, Beth. “Magnet Schools for Tech: The Benefits of Specialized Programs in Math and Science.” (2007): Web 22 Feb 2011. http://www.suite101.com/content/magnet-schools-for-tech-a22272

Olson, G. “The Benefits of Parent Involvement: What Research Has to Say.” (2008): Web 22 Feb 2011. http://www.education.com/reference/article/benefits-parent-involvement-research/

Cited: Lynne, Beth. “Magnet Schools for Tech: The Benefits of Specialized Programs in Math and Science.” (2007): Web 22 Feb 2011. http://www.suite101.com/content/magnet-schools-for-tech-a22272 Olson, G. “The Benefits of Parent Involvement: What Research Has to Say.” (2008): Web 22 Feb 2011. http://www.education.com/reference/article/benefits-parent-involvement-research/