Lesson 1:
1. What roles do families and society play in the pressures facing youth? Describe.
Families influence our youth daily, as well as society. Family and society, both, directly and indirectly influence our youth. Directly, parents and peers teach our youth values. The rules, expectations, and simply the rights from wrongs are all values that influence our youth directly. Indirectly, our youth watch their family and peers interact with others and also make choices, determining right from wrong for themselves. By these direct and indirect influences, the youth develops their moral selves.
2. What can schools and teachers do about these external forces? Describe.
Schools and teachers could encourage more outdoor play or extracurricular activities such as sports or clubs. These activities teach discipline in many aspects and also give the child the opportunity to interact with others. They could also educate the child of the external forces, allowing the child to understand that there are external influences (right and wrong). The way they choose to take these influences will eventually determine their futures.
3. Why is it important to graduate from high school and go on to obtain a degree? Describe.
It is important to graduate from high school because most jobs in todays’ work force require a high school diploma, furthermore; jobs that don’t require a diploma are in most cases employers who have very minimal starting wages. If one obtains these types of jobs the opportunities for promotion are also very slim.Meanwhile, one who earns a college degree in most situations earns a much fairer starting wage. These employers realize that the person having earned these degrees are people who want more than the norm,that they are striving for a successful career in a specific field therefore; in most circumstances will receive promotions and have the chance to move up into even more promising positions.
4. What are some barriers to educational success in high school? Describe a few.
Students may have other things on their mind and are failing to pay attention in class. This student could be having problems at home and can’t keep his/her mind on the lessons occurring in class. Also a student may place him/herself with the wrong crowds and in the wrong environments. This makes the student put school work last and make other matters more important such as drugs, alcohol, or peers.
5. Why do some high school students drop out of school before they graduate?
Many things influence students to drop out. Many of these things could be prevented although they are just over-looked as no big deal. Lack of parenting plays a major role in students dropping out. If the student knew that he/she had a parent to talk to about the problem(s) they are facing then the situation may have been prevented. Pregnancy, drugs, bullying, etc. are all other aspects of students dropping out.
6. Describe what you, as a teacher, can do to help reduce or eliminate these barriers?
As a teacher I would let the student know that if they’re in trouble or in need of anything then they could let me know. I would be someone they could talk to. I would also encourage the student to always push themselves. I feel that personally knowing each student and never leaving a child out is super important. The student feel as if they have someone who cares and someone that knows they can do anything g they set their mind to.
Summary:
Overall, there are many, many things that impact and influence the lives of our youth. Families and society are the two main things pressuring our youth and what they do. Although, it eventually comes down to how the youth accepts or declines the experiences, their peers and society ultimately set the example. Typically, the less parent involvement in the child’s life the less concerned that child is with school and important matters. Pushing the child to do special activities outside of school helps him/her to become more open to new things while also teaching them a bit of discipline. A teacher can show a child that he or she cares and that could change a child’s whole outlook on life.
Research:
What strategies are being used to address the dropout problem?
Research Analysis:
From my research I found that the most effective dropout prevention strategies are family engagement, role models and mentors, and academic support. Academic support is a form of tutoring and is to help the students who are struggling to pass. It allows the student to have a better understanding of the concepts and gives extra study time to this student. It is an activity that focuses on the academics and is an effective practice when addressing specific needs such as reading, writing, or math.
Mentoring is a one to one caring, supportive relationship between a mentor and the student that is based on trust. This trust is everything to a child who cannot trust anyone else. A student relying on their role model or mentor to help them on something so important forms a bond. That bond means someone cares and is willing to do as much as possible to help. That means a lot too many students who have no one.
Also, research states that family engagement has a direct, positive effect on a child’s morals, success, and achievements. In fact it is the most accurate predictor of a student’s success in school. The more active a parent is in a child’s life, in and out of school, the more focused and stable the child is. A parent should be someone that the child can confide in and be able to trust although that doesn’t always happen. In my opinion, the number one reason to a student dropping out is lack of parenting.
Research Summary:
I do agree with the research because I strongly believe that parents play an important role in the success of their children. I come from a very loving family and although my parents are divorced, they both support me strongly in anything I do. I honestly would not have made it as far as I have with the encouragement of my family.
Reference:
Overwhelmed
This lesson involved reading the economics of education article and the reading module then answering the following questions. The questions had a lot to do with what you would do as a teacher in certain situations.
