Books by "Ernest J. Zarra III"
4 books found
The Age of Teacher Shortages is a practical look at the reasons for teacher shortages in schools across America, and suggests solutions. These shortages are wide-reaching and becoming more extensive with each passing year. Although the bulk of the teacher shortages are within those which are state-trained and conventionally credentialed, private schools are also reeling under the pressure of insufficient staffing. Is there just a downturn in adults desiring to be in the teaching profession, or are there other elements at work? This book details elements within American culture that are causing teachers to leave the profession early. In addition to this attrition, the reasons less students are enrolling in programs other than traditional teacher education programs are also explored. Regardless the reasons for decreases in enrollment, the effect are negative upon states, school districts, and families across the United States. There are emergency efforts under way to address teacher shortages. Departments of education and local school districts are applying different certification and credentialing strategies to both attract and keep teachers employed. Many wonder what the overall, long-term effects of these new methods of employing teachers will be upon education in America. This book engages these questions, and more. In so doing, it provides a realistic look into the impacts of teacher shortages, alternative certifications, and causes of changes in twenty-first century American culture.
Understanding Radicalism: How It Affects What’s Happening in Education and Student’s Overall examines and explores the ever-growing trend to use education, outside groups, and social media as agencies of indoctrination and moral suasion, to capture the imaginations, thus prompting students to question their own racial and gender identities.
When the Secular Becomes Sacred: Religious Secular Humanism and its Effects Upon America’s Public Learning Institutionsis an analysis of American K-16 public learning institutions from a unique perspective. Secular teachings, such as social-emotional learning, and sexual and identity philosophies, are behind movements to capture the minds and hearts of America’s students. Contemporary learning institutions resemble places of worship in several ways. This book will explain how this is the case. From educational philosophy to classroom practices, this book exposes tactical intersections between secular humanism and religion. In today’s secular culture there is strong evidence to support the notion that worship of the self, the individual, has usurped the historically sacred place reserved for a transcendent deity. The fact is that this worship of the individual is certainly more fashionable and attractive than traditional orthodoxy or evangelical theology, in a today’s society. Bolstering this self-worship are mandated programs, such as those found in states’ controversial History-Social Science Frameworks, English-Language Arts Frameworks, and new sex education programs. The intention of this book is to provide the reader a realistic look into the effects of religious humanism upon America’s schools and students. Readers will be challenged with the notion that separation of church and state is being ignored for the political advantage of some. Furthermore, the reader will be presented with the argument that self-worship has become more attractive than traditional Judeo-Christian religious teachings, leading to the individual becoming both the worshipper and the object of such self-worship.
The 2015 passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has again changed education for public schools and communities. Common Core is now optional and the role of Secretary of Education has been limited by no longer incentivizing states, as done under Common Core. This book analyzes the new direction today’s schools must pursue for student learning and their success beyond high school. States and local educational agencies are once again empowered and will have more authority over curriculum and assessment. Common Sense Education includes samples from these states, ideas from several universities which are retooling their teacher education programs and focusing on teacher excellence, as well as schools recalibrating their programs for student learning. This book advocates for common sense education, uses a national survey to provide parent and teacher perspectives, and suggests a new paradigm for exciting twenty-first century high schools.