Shifting the Paradigm from Deficit Oriented Schools to Asset Based Models by Shannon Renkly & Katherine Bertolini

    After reading the short excerpt from Shannon Renkly and Katherine Bertolini I learned more about how certain schools are run depending on the model they choose.  I had never heard of either model before reading, but understood the deficit model if it was related to business.  Many thoughts rushed through my head as I was reading.  The quote in the introduction "...it is common practice for people to focus their attention on what is broken and how to fix it."  is a true statement...when the people care.  This quote reminded me of my last post when I discussed how during my high school years, administration changed our scheduling format every year to try to figure out how to make it better when in reality...I think most of us liked it how it was in the first place.  

    Adding to the point made about improvements, I find lots of people in their 50s and older, (sometimes 40s,) like to work a certain way and don't like change.  I think this quote can be grouped towards younger individuals who have seen how something has been done and can find an easier or more efficient way to do it, especially in a workplace.  Part of me wants to think if it ain't broke don't fix it but I know that can be controversial.  The older folks definitely think in that way because if they have been doing something for so long and don't want change they will be stubborn to change.  I thought of it in regards to small things people change for no reason that really don't gain improvements after the change.  Depending on the topic however, I feel like instead of focusing on what is "broken" there are a lot more aspects that can be improved.        

The way these authors explained how each model worked was through these two following quotes:

"According to Rose (2006), a deficit model is one that focuses on what students cannot do.  If a student is underachieving, those that work from a deficit model believe the failure is because that student is not trying hard enough."

"On the other hand, an asset model, or abundance model, focuses on what a student can do: their strengths, skills, talents, interests, and competencies."

    After reflecting on my own schooling experiences and adding what I have gathered from working in both elementary and high schools I can find areas to agree with, but I think both of these models can work together.

I feel as though every school is always looking for funding though grants, local donations, or any other possible way.  I think it is important to lead by example and address what students are doing well and also address what could be improved.  I think blaming the student by thinking they don't care enough only applies to few, not all students who may be struggling.  I think if schools are open about their struggles, the community might want to encourage an extra help club for a certain subject or even a volunteer study group at the local library to help out.  I perused Rhode Island's resources under the Department of Education page out of curiosity, and there were many virtual and in-person tutoring services available ranging from $8-$100 a session and a few that were free of charge.

    I was also considering how I would see a school from the outside as a possible donor.  If they always display how well their sports team places and don't mention any test scores or academic achievements, I may not want to donate money for new textbooks if their focus is on sports teams.  

    I realize it is hard to find a balance between the many extracurriculars along with each subject, but I believe that if administration were to understand both models and pull ideas from each, teachers would be able to understand what the school as a whole might need.  If many students are failing a class taught by the same teacher, administration might want to discuss with the teacher another learning approach.

I think one of the best ways to incorporate the asset approach is sharing the students successes with the community, not choosing only sports or only science club, but announcing band concerts and poetry awards and letting the public know there are so many different opportunities under one roof.

    I believe that acknowledging the weaknesses is the best way to start improvement.  Not every school will be perfect but having administration and staff that want to improve is very important.  It is also important for everyone to be on the same page but that doesn't happen often, especially with the size of some schools....one can dream!