Walker; Alzate 1 Corbie Walker; Kevin Alzate Lynn M.

Raymond English 1103 20 September 2013 Topic Proposal Culture and Schooling There are various ways of learning along with different effects caused by cultures that also influence distinct styles of learning. The primary focus on the Semester Long Project is to compare and contrast the educational system, norms and values, along with how economic status play a role in a childs education, targeting the low and high income families. Our underlying topics of study are going to be centralized between Charlotte, North Carolina and Medellin, Colombia. To assist us with our research, we will be using a combination of interviews (texts, emails, messages, recorded conversations; then translated if and when needed), data from educational institutions, and visual representations. For the Semester Long Project, we will be explaining how there are cultural as well as other differences in schooling between Charlotte, North Carolina and Medellin, Colombia. As our research intensifies, we will be able to compare two social economic statuses between the schools in both cities. We will be differentiating how students in upper class schools from Charlotte and Medellin compare to the students who attend lower class schools. From a glance, we have noticed that there are differences in these circumstances which can be the drive or motivation that students have from both classes. From a more personal perspective, the upper social class Colombian students do not usually take advantage of what they have while the lower class desires for as much education as possible. This can be compared to the standard of

Walker; Alzate 2 education in Charlotte. Here in the U.S., upper class students tend to attend colleges and take full advantage of what they are given while lower class students are not as likely to. Reason being, public education in the United States is free and mandatory. While in Colombia, education is a privilege; it is not free and it is not required, but it is recommended. In addition to our research, data will be collected to survey how teachers and administration are treated, how much of a salary they are paid, and how they contribute to the schools (whether it is just teaching or going the extra mile to help students who need it). For this area of research, there will also be comparisons between Charlotte and Medellin from both social economic classes. To acquire information, we will perform interviews whether verbally or electronically with outside and personal resources. Data will be gathered from both upper class and lower class schools in Medellin as well as Charlotte. The data that will be gathered from Medellin will be based off of first-hand experience both from Kevin and his relatives. While the data gathered from Charlotte will be compiled from Corbie. Visual aids consisting of graphs, photography, and/or local news reportings will be present to help us deliver facts and statistics both verbally and visually. The reason that we feel that this is a matter that we should talk about is because we personally want to see these differences, as well as inform our peers about these statistics. Along with exposing them with detail to a different country, and how their norms and values pertaining to education differ from ours. The differences that are most prominent between these two cities mostly deal with how students perceive their education and their future. The more motivation a person has, the more they will fight to achieve and succeed. We have already evaluated how the upper and lower classes differ in this motivation and where the outcome of their future stands.

Walker; Alzate 3 Not only is social status a factor in educational differences, but culture also plays a role in how individuals are brought up. The overall appeal to school in the United States is somewhat dreaded; there is a lack of appreciation. This is adverse to how individuals that are brought up in Colombia, that can receive an education, appreciate it. This is not the case for every person and there are various reasons behind this. Education to each individual has its own definition, whether sought out or not. The distinctions between Charlotte and Medellin are prominent in many cases, and we hope to delve deep into this subject.

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