The Intro

Why Hello!

I haven’t posted anything until now because I’ve been unsure what topic I want to explore. My first idea was to look into middle schools and the current issues with them. With the newest ideas of eliminating the schools where I intend to work one day I thought it would be an easy topic with lots of material. However, after a day or two of searching, I was only able to find one or two articles that really sparked my interest. My next idea was to look up any information about standardized tests, considering my dislike for them since I began school. That search went a little better but still not exactly what I was looking for. Finally, while perusing my nifty, new Google reader account, I found an article on the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which I researched extensively my freshman year of college. Conveniently enough, this article dealt with the standardized testing portion of this act. Therefore, I came to the conclusion that I will be researching NCLB with standardized testing, and when possible exploring articles in which these two subjects intersect with middle schools. How’s that for a mouth full?

In said, Google reader account, I’ve chosen the usual things like the education section of the New York Times and CNN as well as BBC. The education sections help narrow my searches and BBC because I’d like to have a different perspective besides an American one. In addition, I’ve also subscribed to the Chicago Tribune feed because it’ll be nice to know what’s going on back home too; unfortunately, there is no RSS for the specific education section though. For my Google news searches, I’ve chosen the obvious, “middle schools”, “standardized testing”, and “No Child Left Behind”. All of which have been very helpful and give a broader range to my topic. The only thing I now lack is a blog to follow. I’ve looked up many different ones; many that haven’t been very substantial. But I do have my eye on a few and am determined in finding a good one soon.

All in all, I think this will be a good experience. Probably a bit difficult at first, due to the technology part, but good. At the very least I’ll actually be “in the know” with current events and should learn a few things about my intended career…and by that I mean I hope to find ways to improve it.

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