Chapter 7

School Influences

  1. Historical transitions in the nature of secondary schools: from elite institutions to "shopping mall" curriculum
  2. South Carolina schools: the direct instruction approach (teacher direction and control, mastery of designated academic skills, high expectations, and maximum time on learning, including homework)
  3. School transitions: all transitions have some disruptive influence; the more these transitions correspond with the onset of puberty, the greater the disruption; support from parents and friends helps in the transition process; transitions usually easier for girls than boys
  4. Criticisms of middle schools: Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development
  1. conclude that middle schools are massive and impersonal; teach irrelevant and non-integrated curriculum; fail to promote trusting relationships with adults; and do not provide access to health care and counseling
  1. movement toward "full-service" middle schools
  2. movement toward "small" secondary schools (allow students to be taught in more personal manner and have more leadership positions)

 

  1. High schools
  1. about 75% of high school students graduate and about 60% of these students go on to college
  2. high schools have changed dramatically in the last 50-60 years
  1. there are more large schools (holding 1000 students and more)

    2. 1. why?

    Increasing urban population and less land

    Decreased budgets to build new schools

    Belief that academic stimulation would be greater

  2. there is more specialization
  3. there are more female teachers
  4. there is no more unquestioned obedience to school rules
  5. more people are deciding to enroll children in private schools
  6. there is more crime and vandalism (especially in urban areas)

    7. What reduces violence?

    Defined, shared, and agreed upon school rules

    Positive student-teacher relationships (teachers are fair, consistent, reasonable, and set limits)

    Parent involvement in school, including school decision-making

    Students sharing responsibility for learning (in lower SES schools there is more rote learning and less emphasis on thinking)

  7. there is more student complaints about school. It is boring, irrelevant, or not challenging enough.
  8. There are more parental and community complaints about school. Lack of discipline and not enough focus on basics.
  1. Segregation and ethnicity
  1. schools segregate students on numerous bases
  2. many students are in schools where almost all the students are from minorities
  3. some argue that minorities are assigned to the most inferior schools, with the weakest teachers and administrators, and those who hold low expectations for them
  4. some have argued that the very nature of schools needs to be changed to emphasize (1) school planning, (2) support for students, (3) cooperative learning, (4) family involvement, (5) interdisciplinary curriculum, and (6) community service.
  1. Children and Youth with Disabilities

a. IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

parents rights

least restrictive environment