Eugenia Arvanitis
Ana Garner
Anastasia-Olga (Olnancy) Tzirides
Jessica Andrews
Elizabeth Musgrove
Griselda Escobedo
Angelica Rackow
Ashley Kaufman EDUC 499: Greece - Summer 2019’s Updates
Greek Education System
This weeks articles talked about the Greek education system, and I was able to compare and contrast how it is different and similar than the education system we have here in the United States. The first difference that stood out to me is how high school is viewed as a more optional choice for students in Greece as opposed to in America where it is expected that students graduate from high school. In additon to this, in the United States if you choose to not attend a College or University it is usually seen as a negative thing and people believe you will not be set up for as successful of a future. I cannot imagine ending my school time after Junior High, becuase thinking back to how I was at that age I have grown and developed so much since.
In additon, it stood out to me how classes like gym, art, and music, are not apart of the regular school day for students in Greece but instead are an option to take after school until 4:00. Gym class is something that I was required to take at my schools all the way through my senior year of high school. I almost like the idea of it being an optional course to take after the school day because I usually attended sports practice after school anyways where I got my excercise.
I am really interested to see about the Second Chance schools in Greece becuase it seems that they are a popular option for people who choose to go back to high school or college later in their life. In the United States I know hardly anything about second chance High Schools because everyone I knew did not drop out of High School because that would be a big deal in my town. I think it is awesome that students are choosing to go back later and attend high school and receive a Diploma, and I am curious to the path that took them there and their decisions.
I cannot wait to learn more about the Greek education system, the teachers, and students that make it up. It will be a very useful tool for me as a future educator to bring ideas into my classroom as well as have a more well rounded and open view to the schools around the globe.
Hi Jessica, I agree with you that the Second Chance schools are a great aspect of the Greek education system as I can tell. Some students need a different path than the traditional K-12, straight though, education. Not requiring this seems scary to a degree, but clearly, there are high percentages of graduates despite the difference in structures and requirements. I wonder if it also fosters a bit more self-reflection and motivation on students' part as they have to weigh what path is best for them.
HI Jessica! I enjoyed reading your post about the Greek education system. I too found this subject to be incredibly interesting and I enjoyed finding similarities and differences among the education system in Greece and the US. I saw that you wrote about the Second Chance School. I am really interested in that as well and I cannot wait to learn more about it while in Greece. The concept of this school is wonderful and it seems as though we both share an interest in this. I also found it interesting to read about the classes such as gym, music, and art a not a part of the regular school day. I saw you wrote about that and were interested in this idea. I cannot wait to learn more about this topic!