Making Ripples

This is a Critique Essay for English 102. The assignment was to find an article that takes a stance on a subject. Try to get one that pertains to your field of study. It is an essay about how the author approached the subject in his article. Although I agree with the author, this is not a paper about how I feel about the subject but rather about how well the author dealt with the subject. To go to the article original article click on this link:  http://www.kappanmagazine.org/content/92/2/40.full 

Emilie Spencer

English 102

6 March 2011

Making Ripples

The article, Making Ripples: How Principals and Teachers Can Spread Hope throughout Our Schools was published in Phi Delta Kapplan Magazine in October of 2010. The article was written by Shane J. Lopez, an associate psychology professor at the University of Kansas and a primary researcher of the effectiveness of hope training programs in schools. The article’s purpose is to inform educators of their responsibility to promote hope and hopeful feelings in order to solve the growing problem of student stagnancy and discouragement. Although Lopez neglects to show an opposing viewpoint and fails to fully explain the reason why one of the schools in his examples chooses not to follow his program, his argument is very strong. By providing corroborating evidence through field research and Gallup poll results, Lopez argues that an attitude of hope will reap positive results for educators and students. Lopez further contends that hopefulness stimulates: better attendance, more earned credits, higher academic achievement, increased test scores, improved self-esteem, and builds problem solving skills. The article surmises that the effect of one person’s attitude can affect many. Lopez uses the illustration of a ripple on water to express this.

Lopez builds the article by starting with an example, presenting supporting arguments, stating the problem, giving solutions including implementation, and then going full circle in the conclusion by referring back to the original example. He then tops the article off with a “hope” statement. Lopez’s Thesis, “Helping students become more hopeful can improve their ability to learn as well as make them more resilient to future challenges” lays out the foundation for the article. He begins by telling of an experience at a Kansas High School where implementation of the Hope Program is just beginning. He then shows the reader the overwhelming facts that support his thesis including: how hope is not related considerably to income and native intelligence, and that hope is linked to school attendance, earned credits and academic achievement. His study also revealed that middle school students are especially affected by feelings of hope in both an improvement in test scores and better grades. Grade point average is also improved in high school and early college students, if the student is hopeful.

The author solidifies his argument by presenting Gallup poll statistics which have been gathered from field research of over 450,000 students over the past 20 years. They conclude that 50% of students are hopeful, hopeful students reach goals and overcome challenges, and that the perception of good outcomes is a key element. The author also presents the statistics of discouraged youth stating that the 50% of discouraged students can not see pathways to problem solving or don’t get outside support which leads to poor performance.

To further convince the reader Lopez uses examples of several schools who implemented his Hope Program with positive results. One in particular, Nettlehorst in Chicago, used a goal of school improvement as a proving ground for the Hope Program. As they set attainable goals and achieved them, the community banded together transforming the school.

The article explains several ways to implement Lopez’s theory of hopefulness. These implementation techniques start with the educator. Lopez states that educators can develop hope by encouraging autonomy, modeling a hopeful lifestyle, promoting strengths based development and sharing experiences of obstacles being overcome and goals being realized. Staff at schools can spread hope by setting goals, tracking progress and celebrating achievement. Lopez also asserts that hopeful communication is also important in daily interactions.

Lopez uses his article as a teaching tool and teaches a specific hope technique called “Teach the “ways” to get good grades and solve problems” (Lopez) This terminology maybe little difficult to understand with out explanation. He infers what he means in the next sentence, that “ways” means necessary strategies. “Ways” that he includes in the article are “ways” to study for tests, prepare for exams, track grades, solve interpersonal disputes and pursue interests and interview for jobs. Another new terminology used in the article was “Regoaling”. Lopez referenced to this term when describing how communities can become hopeful. Teachers model hopeful behavior for communities by “knocking down obstacles to students’ big goals and regoaling when necessary.” (Lopez) The author defines this term as “involving modifying the current goal so that it continues to align with desires and values but is more attainable given the school’s best ideas and available energy.” (Lopez)

Because the author has an invested personal interest in the Hope Program, he writes with passion and sincere interest in the topic he’s discussing. Lopez displays a sincere desire for change in the attitudes of educators, students, and the community. Educators are able to relate to the article because the author demonstrates knowledge of students and their behavior. The article would also be valuable for parents to read to help foster a hopeful attitude in their homes. Lopez’s article is an enjoyable and an informative read. Educators looking to improve and uplift their students will find Lopez’s article inspiring and motivational.

In this article, Making Ripples: How Principals and Teachers Can Spread Hope throughout Our Schools, Lopez could have brought more balance by stating an opposing viewpoint and explaining why one of the schools he used for an example chose not to implement one of his ideas. He also could have provided additional information regarding the first example; the author leaves the result open ended. However, Lopez does provide verifiable evidence of his thesis, including his field research and the statistics from Gallup. He further compels his audience by demonstrating implementation techniques in a sincere and passionate way; instilling in educators a desire for change. As educators use this article as a training tool, the authors’ purpose for writing it will be met. When the techniques presented in this article are implemented, educators and students will reap benefits that will last a lifetime, making ripples of hope that will spread throughout the school and into the community.

Works Cited

Lopez, Shane J. "Making Ripples: How Principals and Teachers Can Spread Hope Throughout Our Schools." Phi Delta Kappan October 2010: Vol. 92 no.2 p.40-44.