In http://epicpolicy.org/publication/poverty-and-potential Berliner outlines as factors that affect student success in school: 1) low birth-weight and non-genetic prenatal influences on children 2) inadequate medical, dental, and vision care, often a result of inadequate or no medical insurance 3) food insecurity 4) environmental pollutants 5 family relations and stress and 6) neighborhood characteristics 7) extended learning opportunities such as preschool, summer school and after-school learning. These factors are being addressed in schools but the truth of the matter is that not all parents tend to take advantage of the resources at hand. I recall when teaching in headstart that there were actual headstart community personell that held monthly meetings that would address these 7 and other issues that affect the school and community. On average from 40 students. 20 in two half day classes only 2 parents would participate in the meetings. Others simply didn't care or signed in and left after a couple minutes. The personall couldn't force them to stay so they spoke to those parents who did attend.
I feel that articles like this paint a perfect picture for politicians to see what is wrong with the Education system within the United States of America. However, what are they going to do to change these factors? Teachers do everything they can possibly do help raise test scores, raise student morale, and raise productive citizens of this country. Politicians and administrators should be held accountable for not doing enough to correct these inconsistensies. Who will hold those who make the laws and sit on the sidelines accountable? Teachers Union's, parents, students, and the local school councils must all work together in order for a change to happen. The available data has to be reviewed and grassroots programs must be put in place to make an actual "change" in poor school and poor neighborhoods. Parents must also take responsibility for their childrens future and living conditions. If a person refuses to work and chooses to collect a check, there should be prequisites for them recieve any form of government given monies.
"Family violence is much more likely to be directed at females than males, and it occurs more
frequently among the poor than the middle class and wealthy." http://www.abanet.org/domviol/statistics.html. Violence is yet another factor that floods into the school. Neighborhood affairs, family feuds, and gang battles/wars are an everyday reality. Students cant learn when they know there is a 90% possibility that they will get jumped on when it is time to change classes. Gang ties through your family is another problem. I know of students who cant go around or talk to other students due to the gang ties of their older siblings. It's a "respect" issuse of the streets. Kids are taught to only deal with members that associate with the family gang or dont speak at all. So if you have a couple students in your class that score high on tests but dont talk, it doesn't necessarily mean they are introverts.
In the public school rankings article I learned that "due to the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act, and the 2007 reauthorization of that Act, parents of students who are attending low-performing schools at the bottom of Public school rankings have the right to withdraw their children from said schools and enroll them in places that are on the top in regards to Public school rankings." http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/public-school-rankingshowpoor-neighborhoods-affect-placement-208604.html This is absolutely wondeful, however I'm pretty sure that most parents from low income areas take advantage of this loophole.
As far as the "Minority proximity to environmental dangers in the USA" from the Berliner article I can think off hand of the landfill and paint factory within a 3 mile proximity to my home and I'm like WOW. There are so may factories and industrial businesses amongst my community and the surrounding that I never paid attention to. Carver high school is a prime example. This school is located with city blocks of a huge landfill.
There are so many factors that affect minority students. Mr. Berliner made a start by providing us with detailed data that can be used to help correct these atrocities. The question is, what will you as an individual do to help those in need?
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You mentionn a few times here that the paretns aren't doing what is necessary to help their children succeed. It may be true that parents do not attend meetings at the schools - but it is important to keep reasons for this in mind and not just simply blame the parent. I have four sons who I am dedicated to in every way - but I work days and my husband works evenings, so, due to babysitting conflicts alone I am not always able to attend evening meetings at the school. Also, my older boys are both involved in many extra-curricular activities, and scheduling everything around that can also be difficult. This said, I am not dealing with the types of problems that can be found in many of the poorer communities. I just wanted to point out that there are many factors that keep families away from meetings - and rather than condemn them for not caring, it may be necessary to find ways to make it easier for families to get involved.
ReplyDeleteThe factories and landfills also struck me in this article. most families, if living near landfills, probably do not have the means to move - but nobody is protecting them either. It makes quite a statement about our country. Those who cannot protect themselves are made victims of the country's greed. Not only is the earth ravished and destroyed by industry, the citizens are as well - all in the name of business.
I wanted to comment on a few points in your posting. Yes, I believe parents need to take responsiblity for their children's learning. I feel that it is impossible for teachers to be held totally responsible for learning (and notice I said learning and not test scores). I do not believe scores truly reflects every students potential. On the other hand, as teachers, we can not judge our parents based on their failure to attend meetings. Just like many other parents, I work during school hours and find it difficult to get time off to attend all the functions at my daughter's school. It is not because I do not care or have better things to do, it is because I am working to make sure we make it. So, we need to see life as it is, I know there are tons of uninterested parents in our school system, but let's not unjustly group everyone into that category.
ReplyDeleteOne other point, I wanted to comment on was the statement about people waiting for a check. That to me sounds like a very big stereotype. I don t feel like waiting for a check has anything to do with childbearing. I always speak up for the my sisters and brothers (not a race thing at all) that are out there working hard and need those
few dollars the government feel is suitable to help their situation.
To my knowledge, many of the gov't funded programs require families to be working at least part time to continue receiving benefits.
readersareleaders1 I only spoke from my personal experiences with people. I personally know people who choose not to work or work and falsify their income to receive government monies. I've also encountered parents of former students who stated that they told their kid to do certain things or act a certain way so they can "get a check." I know the stereotype, but I also know and have experienced the truth.
ReplyDeleteI think parents should and can put forth more effort to be more active in their child's education. The same parents are involved in all the activities at my school. However the ones who we hardly ever see have the children who create the most problems. When they do come up to the school its not read book to the preschoolers. They come up to defend their kid who may have just busted the lip of another student because they looked at them the wrong way. My experiences with problematic students and parents is that the students are merely seeking the attention they don't get at home. While the parents are ready to kill for their kids irregardless of how they treat them at home. I just want more parents to be active. If you can give 15%, then you can do 20%. If you can give that, you can give 30%. We need the whole village to raise the child.
I agree that this is a great article for politicians to read. I think that it is time the government and politicians were held accountable for some of the reasons our schools are failing. They decided that NCLB was a good idea to test students progress but then never supported the law. They just punish schools that do not achieve passing scores by closing them and limiting their funding.
ReplyDeleteOur country is far from a national standard of education but maybe it is something we should be working towards. As a country, we need to find ways to HELP schools that are doing all they can to help their students hit with so many of these disadvantages.
You write: "Teachers do everything they can possibly do help raise test scores, raise student morale, and raise productive citizens of this country. "
ReplyDeleteDo they? All of them? Other than defending yourself and your profession, why say something so obviously untrue?