Did you know that the school system is only able to meet 50% of student learning needs?
That's right! - only 50% of the student population is in an environment at school which enables them to be successful learners.
The reason for this is not because of bad teachers.
There are many excellent, dedicated teachers in schools, whose life's work and passion is to educate their students to the best of their ability. Teachers want to see their students successful, that is why they have given years to training and service. It is not the fault of the teachers that many students do not reach their potential in learning.
It is not a result of bad parenting.
Many parents spend a great deal of time and energy trying to ensure that their children have the best education possible. Parents help with homework, provide many extra-curricular opportunities and keep in touch with the teachers and school in order to help their child to be successful. However when all is said and done, it is the child who needs to be able to learn and pass the curriculum requirements.
Some parents themselves may have sailed through their own school experience and been successful in the academic requirements for graduation, and gone on to further education. Isn't it reasonable to expect that their children would follow the same path and achieve good grades? For some children, yes it is a reasonable expectation, and many, of course, do follow in their parent's footsteps. However this may not be true for every child, even in the same family. I, myself, was a good student, enjoyed my school experience and I love to learn. I went on to become a teacher for over twenty years in the school system, was a Principal of two schools, and successfully pioneered an independent school. All my three children are intelligent and have been given equal opportunities with regard to their education. Out of the three, only one is following in my footsteps. Was I less diligent with two of my children, didn't I help them? Didn't I give them the support they needed to be successful at school? Of course I did! Were their teachers uncaring and unsupportive of their education? Not at all! The problem is as parents we can't go to school for them. Sometimes it seems parenting would be easier if we could!
Is the school system bad?
There are many excellent schools, in which some students are able to thrive and excel in their learning. For those students the school environment meets the needs of their learning styles and motivates them towards success in their educational experience. The school system is not bad for these students, it is good. However the very nature and structure of the school system means it is only able to meet the needs of some styles of learning, and personality traits of its students. For a fairly large number of students to get through a school day is an achievement in itself. Intelligence and motivation to learn are not the issue for them, but the school structure and environment itself. An example of such a student was Albert Einstein. He found school incredibly boring, as the tools of learning in those days were to do with repeating and learning by rote. He learnt more from the reading he did outside of school, and talking with interesting people he met, than from school itself. He spent most of the time in his classes day dreaming. The system had no room for creativity and imagination, or allowing him to learn about what interested him. There was no provision in his school system for people who thought differently.
Many students today, whose learning styles are not catered for in the school system, are prone to be dismissed or labeled as lazy, unfocused, and unintelligent, disorganized, ADHD, or have a learning disability. School for many of these students is an endurance test, which some fail. The school experience can devastate their self confidence and self esteem, due to their inability to conform or adapt to the expectations of the system, and those around them. Yet these same students in later life can become very successful because of their entrepreneurial spirit, their creativity, their ability to think outside of the box, and view the world from a different perspective.
If your child is having trouble at school, it may not be a reflection your parenting, their teacher or the school. Your child may be trying to learn in an environment that conflicts with his natural aptitude and learning style. For your child it could be like trying to learn to swim in an ocean of sand! Look outside of 'normal' expectations, and see the situation through the eyes of your child. You may be surprised!!! ???and why not do a little research in to the school experience of Albert Einstein, and many other notable figures in our history? I think you might see things from a different perspective.
Barbara White, an experienced educator and parent of three teenagers, speaks with humor, insight, and passion to both teachers and parents on the subject of learning and personality styles. Her latest presentation "Learning Through the Eyes of a Child" is both entertaining and inspirational. For more articles and information visit her website http://www.livingbeyondbetter.com
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..Most research into children's friendships shows that those children who... Read More
Many working families choose a commercial or individual day care... Read More
Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy... Read More
This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More
What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More
There's a new kind of fun and calm out there... Read More
I will cherish this moment. I will not let it... Read More
Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More
"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything... Read More
I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More
Few things are more completely enjoyable than becoming a grandparent.... Read More
I don't know how people raise daughters because I have... Read More
Every week I write something about the stock market -... Read More
Although it might seem pretty corny to a lot of... Read More
Most teens go into the work world ill-prepared to manage... Read More
Child tantrums are a way for children to express their... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
As a parent you will be asked to assist with... Read More
How bad is the illegal drug problem here in the... Read More
All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More
What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More
Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising... Read More
They Spur Members To Grow EmotionallyTatiana Tannenbaum grappled with a... Read More
Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled.... Read More
Parents want their children to succeed in school. However, sometimes... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Part of the responsibility of being a father is to... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More
Early childhood educators have called play "children's work". Many parents... Read More
Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More
What do you do when your child begins talking to... Read More
A study done by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it... Read More
One fantastic way to get your children involved in what... Read More
The distressed adolescent often has feelings of abandonment, emotional detachment,... Read More
Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More
Whether we realize it or not we teach our children... Read More
Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child... Read More
What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More
One of the few decisions you'll make during pregnancy that... Read More
Rule #1 Make Every Bite Count!Everything your child eats should... Read More
Parents are always looking for ways to open up the... Read More
Today the little red school house is not what it... Read More
Much has been said about the "gifted child" but in... Read More
Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I... Read More
Parenting |