Day 5 in Tama: Hijirigaoka Senior High School

Today we visited Hijirigaoka Senior High School attached to Tama University. This is a private school that costs around 800,000 Yen ($8,000) per year compared 8,000 Yen ($800) per year. We asked the teachers if they noticed any differences between the private school they currently teach in and the former publics schools they have taught at. They made it very clear that the government limits the amount of freedom in teaching as it pertains to public schools. There strict regulations that must be followed in public schools. The climate was very similar to the previous schools. Again, during recess, the students were given an amazing amount of freedom. The teachers were not in the hallways and students were doing many different things. They were inside talking in the classrooms, running around the hallways, and playing outside. Culturally this is accepted because they do not look at it as an issue of liability towards the teachers or administrators. If there are behavior problems in the lower grades teachers will monitor to insist on good interpersonal skills. If something does happen the focus turns to the students it happened with, but the blame is not passed onto teachers or administrators. In the United States this would never work considering the liability issue. I do like the freedom given to the students to be together in groups without teachers constantly supervising, but this would not be acceptable in the United States. After school we had an opportunity to watch basketball practice. There were about 25 girls and 25-30 boys on each side of the small gym. The grades ranged from 7th to 9th grades and no coaches were available for practice. The practice was like watching a piece of art being created right in front of your eyes. They all worked together in a cohesive group as they warmed up, stretched, and ran specific drills. I thought they were high school students until the very end when I asked the interpreter. There was not one student that was slacking for even a moment during this practice. If they were late or running some of the plays they would make up for it. When I think of collaboration for change this is exactly what is needed.

The other thing I specifically looked at was technology use. Very low in school. One computer lab for the entire Junior and Senior High School. Teachers use it mostly for emailing. With the right steps and financial backing Rockford could be leading the way in the global digital world. I hope you believe me when I say this, because we are at a crucial point in deciding where our students will be going and what they will be doing. I think we are the verge of breaking through, but we need consistent funding for a good 5 to 10 years. Everything is influenced by gas prices and the slowing of the economy, but reducing the budget by not passing referendum/levees will only prolong the problem. If we stay strong during these times students will be confident and prepared to lead the country in the areas that will be essential to success. Please, think about it. We cannot raise money like a business can, we have to depend on the community. Okay, sorry for the lecture--back to Japan. Enjoy the pictures.