Ensuring Student Success

Welcome

This is the first in a series of blogs that are written to empower people who work with and care about children and youth. This includes parents, educators and those working with children/youth. I hope to generate discussion about meeting the needs and improving the social, emotional, and educational experiences of children/youth.  I do not have all of the answers, but hope to share what I have learned about supporting children/youth, and developing environments where they thrive.

The State of Education

Along with the dialogue and debate about the nation’s economic situation, there are also significant issues in education that the new administration will need to confront.  Arne Duncan, the nominee for education secretary, will be charged with making sense of No Child Left Behind, racial and economic disparities in academic achievement, school choice, state tests, and whether or not to establish national education standards, to name a few.

Like the nation’s financial situation, these are long term issues that may not be fully resolved by 2012.. There appears to be no “Education Stimulus” package on the horizon. How does that effect decisions about education today?

Here is a quick look at some recent discussions I have had in my different roles, about contemporary issues in education:

• One friend suggested that the problem with education is really a family problem. Parents need to become involved advocates for their child’s education.
• Another friend suggested that the problem with education is disparities in resources.  Schools that have the most resources/$ can afford the best teachers and provide the types of experiences that lead to high academic achievement.
• Still another friend is struggling with a decision about whether their child should attend an independent or a public high school.  Not pleased with their local high school, they also want to save for college.
• A colleague suggests that the problem with education is a void of strong school leadership and leadership turnover.
• A parent of a teenager suggests that it is the lack of caring and effective teachers that is the problem
• A group of 10th graders complain that there is nothing inspiring that happens in school.
• A student complains that he has a teacher that he believes “doesn’t like children.”
• A group of teachers complain that they wish that they could partner better with their students’ parents.
• Administrators at a public charter school discuss ways to prepare for the upcoming state exams.

Start an Education Improvement Plan

With all that said, there are things we can do starting now to improve the educational experience for students.  January is a good time to develop an education improvement action plan for 2009.  School administrators are in the midst of planning for the 2009-2010 school year.  Teachers are assessing progress from the first semester, and planning for the Spring semester.   It is also a good time for parents and caretakers to do some educational planning, regardless of how well your student is currently achieving.

As a parent, consultant, and psychologist, I recognize that adult-adult and adult-child/youth communication tends to break down during the winter and spring months. My own plan includes working to improve communication in my multiple roles in 2009.

I don’t expect President Obama or Secretary Duncan to ask my opinion about how to improve education nationally.  If they did, I would say that effective communication is also a good place to start at the national level.  My guess is that most of us want the same thing when it comes to education:

· That public and independent schools use the best in traditional and progressive instruction to develop great learners who maximize their academic achievement.

· That public education has the resources and personnel to provide a world class education for all students. 

· That achievement gaps due to economics and race are eliminated.

· That students with special needs are supported to maximize their academic achievement.

Let’s make communication the “21st century skill” that all of us can work on and teach right away. When communication between adults breaks down students suffer.

Dr. Keith Suggests…

I offer you some suggestions for your education/communication plans.

1. Students benefit when adults are on the same page about goals, roles, and responsibilities.  Do what you can to remove barriers to partnering

2. Focus on clear and frequent communication and clarification between students and adults.  Be clear about the frequency (daily, weekly, monthly) and mode of communication (phone, email, notes) that you will use.

3. Review student progress once a month and adjust as necessary. For example, if you notice that homework is getting completed but not turned in, revise your plan.

4. Engage the student so that they buy into the plan and feel a part of the team.

5. Frequently acknowledge or celebrate success.

Of course things don’t always work out as smoothly as we would like. Be flexible. Obviously seek help if there are significant academic or nonacademic barriers (social, emotional, etc) that limit success.

What do you think we should be doing to improve education?

Feel free to post your thoughts and comments about this post.