Re-evaluation of the Education System

Clear Vision IndustriesXavier A. Parker.

Introduction The purpose of this plan is to developing an innovative education system.

Currently over a million of the students who enter ninth grade fail to graduate within four years. In fact, about 7,000 students drop out every school day. Perhaps this statistic was acceptable fifty years ago, but the era in which a high school dropout could earn a living wage has ended in the United States. Dropouts significantly diminish their chances to secure a good job and a promising future, once the decision is made to quit school.  To rid the current education system of the current problems will be to restructure the current class room set up, evaluate individuals learning styles and the effect of after school activities.

Introduction

Learning Styles: From K-3rd grade students should be evaluated on their learning styles and their abilities to retain information.

New IEP system: Don’t make a IEP a bad thing, make the IEP for every student, use it as a developmental tool.

Assessing Motivation: From 4th-8th grade assess student’s motivation for success and action.

 

Developing Expectations: From 9th-12th grade develop expectation for graduation from staff, parent and student.

Classroom Structure: After the development of the new IEP and learning styles system, change the class rooms to match students and instructors that learn and instruct the same.

Afterschool activities & Statistics: The review the Union contracts and look were adjustments and compromise can be made to decrease the massive expense of the Union and create and save jobs.

Implementation Chart

Learning Styles K-3rd Grade What is the best way to learn: The best way for a person to learn depends on the person, of course. It is well know that people have different leaning styles that work best for them. The best approach for an instructor to take is to address a variety of learning styles with their teaching plan. It is also helpful to encourage students to understand their preferred leaning style. Individuals assume that by the time students reach the college level that they have figured out the best and most productive way to study to retain information.

Providing the right environment conducive to learning: The classroom environment can also have a big effect on the amount of learning that occurs. Here again, people are different and have different environmental preferences. Nevertheless, understand what effects the learning process is important to know. Some of the common learning styles and environmental factors that should be considered when attempting to create the best learning conditions are listed below:

Learing StylesLearning Styles DESCRIPTION

Structure of Lessons

Most students learn best when there is a logical sequential, delineated lesson that provides the objective and

systematic steps to do the assignment. This type of student benefits from the use of rubrics so that they can

better follow lectures and assignments. However, some students do not like much structure and appreciate

being given choices and allowed to be creative.

Sociological

Some students benefit greatly from group activities and other do not. For those who are peer learners, pair

them with another student when possible. For those who are self learners do not force them into a group/peer-

learning situation all the time. Cooperative learning is an important learning tool but some students are more

introverted than others and may have difficulty participating in group activities.

Auditory

Some students learn best by listening. Auditory learners do well with lecture, class discussions, etc. While

lecture is considered the least effective teaching method, some students learn best by simply listening. These

students may also be more sensitive to outside noises.

Visual

Visual learners benefit from a variety of ocular stimulation. One example would be the use of colors. These

students like images and written information. They like to be able to read instructions or the text on their own

to increase their understanding. When studying it is helpful for these student to use different color highlighters

or pens as they are reading and taking notes. These students may also be more sensitive to visual distractions.

Tactile

Most people learn best with hands-on activities, but some gain a lot more from it than others. Some students

really increase their learn potential when they are give they opportunity to do something by themselves

Especially in a science classroom there should be plenty of opportunities to learn by doing.

Environmental FactorsEnvironmental Factors DESCRIPTION

Formal vs. Informal

A formal setting would be the traditional desk and chair or possibly a table. An informal setting would be the floor, a

couch, a beanbag, etc. Every student’s brain will not function the same in the same postural position. So when you see

a student slouching in a traditional desk or chair, it may simply mean that they would learn better in more of a

informal setting.

Noise vs. QuietSome students find sound distracting and some find it calming. It may be beneficial to have several study areas

established. One where the noise level is kept to a minimum and one where some background noise is present.

Temperature

Room temperature also plays a key role in learning. If a student is too cold or too hot, they will have more of a hard

time concentrating on what their learning task is. It is recommended that the classroom temperature be cool if

possible. This way those who do not like being cold can simply wear another layer of clothing and be comfortable.

Bright vs. DimEverybody’s eyes react differently to light. Some students may need to sit by a bright reading lamp while others may

get a headache when too much light is present. A light level that all students find comfortable should be sought.

Kinesthetic

Some people need to have continuous movement as they are studying, such as tapping there fingers or foot on the floor,

fooling with their hair, using a stress ball, or chewing gum. This is absolutely natural but if they are not alone studying,

make sure they do not distract others.

Mobility

The human body is built to move and it does particularly like to sit still for long periods of time. Have students to

stand, stretch, and take short breaks as needed during studying. It is good to study in 20-30 minute increments with a

brief break between each block of time. Research has shown that it only takes 30 seconds to rest and recharge the

brain.

Implementation of Learning StylesThe suggested way to implement these new learning styles takes the pressure off of the student and the teacher for the first 4 years of development, so instead of trying to get A, B, C’s and so on and so forth, the new system will be focused on how the student’s learn to prepare them for the grades of 4th-12th.

To implement this plan the school system will have a new I.E.P system for all of the students not just the special education. The new I.E.P system will track the learning style of ever student in every subject. It will track their behavior patterns and achievements. Just imagine if every teacher had information on ever student that was set to come into their class room everyday. The teachers know if they have an achiever and or an under achiever in their classroom. They know who can help them in the class room and who will need extra help in the class room.

Implementation of Learning Styles

Classroom set up:

The new I.E.P. and learning style system will help the school system set up the class room to meet the needs of all students. I think it would be beneficial for the student and teachers to have it set up where if I am in a math class and I am a visual learner that everyone in the class room is a visual learner’s, so the teacher can develop a course were the visual learners can get the full information from the course. Next if it was not cost effective to break each class down into different learning styles, but they can combine certain learning styles 1, 2, or 3 different styles in one class.

Implementation of Learning Styles

Effect of the systems:

The effect of the new system will be better class room grades and behavior, if a student is getting information in the form that is the most effective to him/her then grades will be better. Next, sometimes all of the things put in place can not change certain students, but with the development of this new system it can eliminate the “stupid student” and what I mean by this that most bad behavior comes from a student not being involved in class, not getting the information and feeling less than the other students that get it, therefore making fun of the other students that do good it and making it seem as being smart is bad.

Assessing Motivation 4th –

8th Grade

Motivation is the process whereby goal-directed activity is instigated and sustained. From the 4th grade-8th grade this is where we now develop motivation of the student. This is were we set goals and reward when these expectations are meet. For the early grades motivation can be something as simple as setting the goal of no interruption during class for the whole day for at least 3 days out of the week and the reward is a pizza party. For the higher grades this is were you reward them with setting goals and when they meet these goals they are allow to go to the spring dance, participate in sports, cheerleading and other in school and after school activities. This is currently active in the school now but it can be revamp to where the student sets their own reachable goals to then give some of the responsibility to the student.

Develop ExpectationFrom 9th-12th grade develop expectation for graduation from staff, parent and student. This is

the stage where we prepare students for life after high school. During this stage we prepare

students for careers and or higher education then careers. I think that today in our educational

system there is to much weight put on testing, there are individuals who could teach you the

legal system front to back but it took them 2-4 times to pass the BAR exam, so I really think

more weight should be put on knowledge retention and can they re-teach what they have

learned.

When setting expectation from 9th grade we find out what would they like to do after high

school, if someone wants to be an architect you will have that student take more math courses

than another student who wants to be a scientist. Next after finding out where they want to go

set them up with the course work to let the see what is expected to see if that is what they

want to do. The third is to bring back home economics, auto shop and tool shop and courses

of that nature.

Finally for the students who want to go to college, they should be prepared during the second

half of their 11th grade school year, so they can prepare for SAT/ACT’s, college visits and

parents being more involved with these choices also.

Afterschool activities:Enhancing Children’s Academic

Achievement:Improving Children’s Grades and Academic Achievement: Children whose out-of-school time includes 20-35 hours of constructive learning activities do better in school.

Increasing Children’s Interest and Ability in Reading: Tutoring can also lead to greater self-confidence in reading, increased motivation to read, and improved behavior.

Improving School Attendance, Increasing Engagement in School, and Reducing the Dropout Rate:

Students who spent even one to four hours a week in extracurricular activities were 60 percent less likely to have dropped out of school by 12th grade than their peers who did not participate.

 Increasing Homework Quality: The structure of an after-school program can make homework part of students’ daily routine. Also books student need to be able to bring books home, I don’t know how many times parents with young students call me to ask for help when helping their child with home.

Increasing Aspirations for the Future: By giving children role models and the tools they need to succeed in school, after-school programs can help children realize their full potential.

Improved Behavior in School: Research shows that children who participate in after-school programs behave better in class, handle conflict more effectively, and cooperate more with authority figures and with their peers.

Better Social Skills: Research shows that children with the opportunity to make social connections in after-school hours are better adjusted and happier than those who do not have this opportunity.

Improved Self-Confidence: Programs can provide the opportunity for youth to gain self-confidence through development of caring relationships with adults and peers.

 

More Effective Use of Funding: After-school programs can help school districts save money over the long term because of decreased student retention and special education placements.

Greater Family and Community Involvement: Many after-school programs depend on and draw upon parent and community volunteers. Research show that when families are involved in schools, students do better.

Statistics:Who is dropping out: Overall, far too many students are not graduating on time with a regular diploma; low-income and minority students fare the worst in the dropout epidemic.

Each year, approximately 1.2 million students fail to graduate from high school, more than half of whom are from minority groups.

Where Are Students Dropping Out: A relatively small number of chronically underperforming high schools are responsible for more than half of the nation‘s dropouts.

Approximately two thousand high schools (about 12 percent of American high schools) produce more than half of the nation‘s dropouts.

Why Do Students Drop Out: While there is no single reason that students drop out, research indicates that difficult transitions to high school, deficient basic skills, and a lack of engagement serve as prominent barriers to graduation. Most dropouts are already on the path to failure in the middle grades and engage in behaviors that strongly correlate to dropping out in high school.

Statistics What Are the Costs of Dropping out of High School: Dropouts suffer from reduced earnings and lost opportunities; there is also a significant social and economic cost to the rest of the nation.

Can earn on average about $260,000 less than a high school graduate. Dropouts from the Class of 2008 alone will cost the nation more than $319 billion in lost wages over the course of their lifetimes. Dropouts from the Class of 2006 could have saved more than $17 billion in Medicaid and expenditures for uninsured health care over the course of those young people‘s lifetimes. If U.S. high schools and colleges raise the graduation rates of Hispanic, African American, and Native American students to the levels of white students by 2020, the potential increase in personal income would add more than $310 billion to the U.S. economy.16 Increasing the graduation rate and college matriculation of male students in the United States by just 5 percent could lead to combined savings and revenue of almost $8 billion each year by reducing crime-related costs.

Updated February 2009: Dropout factories produce 69 percent of all African American dropouts and 63 percent of all Hispanic dropouts, compared to 30 percent of all white dropouts.6

Implementation PhasePhase Restructuring: School board Implementation:

I Developing Learning Styles Develop new IEP system New Classroom set up

Have the school board develop a new learning style

curriculum. Redefine IEP Develop staff training for teachers to prepare for

change Meet with parents and community about plan

II Create motivation standards for grades 4th-8th Develop expectation for 9th – 12th grade Real college preparation curriculum Reinstitute technical courses (Home Ec., Wood Shop

and Auto Shop)

Staff must develop motivation guidelines for staff

and students Develop expectation guidelines Help develop college prep curriculum

III. Pick a class and monitor from K-12 Develop after school programs Develop new grading system on retention,

reiteration of material learned and testing

Secure funding Create a monitoring system for this program Contact family of developing school Develop a class of students in the inner city and

suburban areas.

Implementation Chart

ConclusionThis plan may not be the answer to everything but it is a start, the development of a program of this nature can really change the structure of the current school system and our place in the world when it comes to education. Many student fail at school because now things are focus on teaching a class a certain subject one way, but we know that people learn things differently, so when students are not learning they are acting out. When students are taught a subject in their learning style they become more interested and become a better student. The emphasis that we place on test is a bit much, I can do the work not get the work, then memorize it and take a test and get a A, but that does not help me in the long run because I really don’t get it. Next we have student who does the work and gets the work, but is a bad test taker and then gets a bad grade on the test then he finishes the course with a C or D, but he/she does really know the material, this is a problem. I really think that we need to develop new grading system on retention of material, reiteration of material learned and testing on the material. Finally, I really think that with all of the problems we face in the current education system one of the biggest factors my very well be the things that happens outside of school. A new development of community and after school programs is a must, children need things to do, parents are working long hours, making less money (some people) and the children are effected by it.