Costa Rican and US Schools

6/9/14

During my trip to Costa Rica, one of our goals was to teach in Costa Rican Schools.  Because of the country wide teacher strike, our plans did not go as planned and we did not get to visit all of the schools we were meant to.  We visited three schools during our trip that I have blogged about.  The three schools were very different, with very different backgrounds, but we were about to get a sense about the education system in CR.

We visited a public school, a one room school house, and a private school, and we also got to meet with some of the teachers and administrators, plus the minister of education in Heredia.  Through visiting three different types and dynamics of schools, there were some differences between the schools, but all of them seemed to have the best interests of the students at bay. 

When we met with the English teacher and minister of education, we were told that all students in CR are given the right and the tools they need to learn English, but when we went to the one room school house, we were told that the money and resources are not always available to give all students the equal chance to learn English.

Part of my research project was to research autism and special education in Costa Rica.  Because of the teacher strike, I was unable to get much information, but the few people I did talk to explained that in CR, children are tested from birth, and if any special needs are found, they are given the interventions needed and their needs are stated in their school records so that schools know what special needs they have.  I have also been told, that most schools try to assist the students with their special needs and assure that they are given an equal education same as the other students.  I really wish I would have been able to continue to look for answers with this research project and talk to special education teachers in Costa Rica.

When comparing education in Costa Rica and in the United States, I can find many similarities and also some differences.  The biggest similarity I found is that the private school we visited, had many more resources and learning opportunities for students because they have the private money available to fund it.  This is the same in the U.S as private schools are able to do more, because they have more resources.  Also, they are not required to follow the same standards as public schools, because of their private status.  Another similarity, is that the private schools in CR, offer scholarships so that a few students who cannot afford it are still sometimes able to attend.

Another similarity I found when visiting the schools, is that every teacher we met and talked with, seemed to have the students’ best interests at heart.  At the same time however, we did not speak to many teachers because of the strike going on, which was a fight to be paid for teaching, so I feel that we may not have gotten to speak to enough teachers to get the whole picture.  When it comes down to it though, to me, it seems that the passion for teaching is there for all teachers we met, and the main goal, is to make better lives for the students, which should be every teacher’s goal for their job.

The biggest difference I saw, is with classroom management.  In the U.S., teachers are taught that classroom management is the most important step to a successful learning environment and without classroom management, the students will not be able to learn to their best abilities and the teachers will not be able to teach to theirs.  In CR, we saw very little classroom management and it seemed to be that the students were allowed to do whatever they wanted.  That being said, we also saw learning taking place in the classrooms, and the teachers did not seem at all distracted by the students who were out of their seats, being distracting, or misbehaving.

I will end tis by saying, that even in the U.S., every school district is different, and they do what works for them.  In Costa Rica, the three types of schools we visited were all very different, but yet their techniques and ideas seemed to work for them.  I am so lucky to have been able to see schools and teaching first hand in Costa Rica, and am glad to have been able to experience the diversity of teaching styles first hand.  I hope to one day be able to learn about education in other countries as well.