1. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER CURRICULUM CENTER FOR FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES AT TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY The Societal Context of Schooling in the USA 1

2. Chapter Objectives How do family, community, and society impact students? How do socioeconomics status and race affect students? How do health issues affect students? What effects do bullying, theft, and violence have on students and schools? How do truancy and dropping out affect youth? 2

3. Introduction James Garbarino (1990)  Children are growing up in a socially toxic environment.  Toxins in our social world have always existed, but now we are more informed and ore aware of them. Some students go through childhood unscathed, while others are victims or perpetrators. Family, community, and society in general impact students, both positively and negatively. 3

4. The influence of teachers, even in the face of tremendous societal dilemmas, can provide refuge for students who need role models and guidance. Teachers are powerful when they take seriously their responsibilities and opportunities to care for and nurture the students in their classrooms. 4

5. How Do Family, Community, & Society Impact Students in the US? 5

6. Family is the most basic societal unit of humankind. Individual Society Community Family 6

7. Families can support success or thwart it. Many children and adolescence are victims of child abuse/neglect which place them in the at risk category. Child abuse any act that result in death, serious harm, or exploitation. Child neglect failure to act in the best interest of the child. 7

8. Child abuse is reported on average every 10 seconds in the USA. 3 children die each day as a result of abuse. 60% of deaths by abuse are not reported. 8

9. What can Schools & Teachers Do? School personnel are among those considered mandatory reporters of suspected abuse. Teachers should report suspicions to administrators or counselors. Also report to Child Protective Services. 9

10. Handouts Each student should get a copy of:  Figure 3.2Recognizing Child Abuse  Figure 3.4Strategies for Teaching Economically struggling students  Figure 3.9Strongest factors for Attempted Suicide 10

11. Community Refer to the neighborhood, town, city, or county in which a student lives. The members of a community are those who live within a specific geographic vicinity, those with whom students may come in contact through everyday activities or when seeking services (shopping/medical care). Some students live in communities that are not only nonsupportive, buy may actually be harmful to them. 11

12. Society All children are adolescents are at risk of harm because of the complex societal context in which we live. 12

13. How Do Socioeconomic Status & Race Affect Students in the USA 13

14. Low Socioeconomic Status (SES) Increase federal funding through Title 1. Some of these educators spend their time seeking solutions to equity issues. Generalization may be useful for understanding children and planning learning experiences; it’s important not to lump all low-income student together as a group and design programs based on one element of their lives. 14 Schools and teachers according to Landsman(2006) should have “a practical awareness of the students’ physical needs coupled with a passion for teaching.”

15. Racism Racism is a form of prejudice stemming from a belief that one race is superior to another that may be perpetuated by individuals or even government policies. The number of teachers belonging to racial minorities is definitely not keeping up with the rapid growth in the population of minority students. 15

16. Discrimination It’s illegal to discriminate by race in American public schools. If children are not given the opportunities to explore their own identities, as well as those of others aroung them they will carry complex feelings about race and racial issues, including pride, ignorance, anger, shame, ambivalence, and alienation. (Lewis-Charp, 2003) 16

17. Soft bigotry of low expectations is another form of discrimination. Landsman (2006), “I believe that a true test of any country’s morality is whether it gives all children a fair and equal chance to achieve their potential as human beings. 17

18. Immigration and Classroom Success Immigrant children in the classroom help all students understand that people view the world differently. They contribute to our classroom by increasing our knowledge and appreciation of diversity and by providing our classroom with richer learning experience. Teachers need to make an extra effort to understand how immigrant children may respond to many aspects of school in the USA. 18

19. Regardless of the political infighting and social stigmas, the immigrant children and adolescents in our classrooms are just that. They deserve the same care and consideration teachers give to all students. 19 Schools and Teachers Can: 1.Explore the issues of racism intellectually. 2.Engage in dialogue about racism. 3.Immerse yourself in other cultures.

20. How Do Health Issues Affect Students in the USA? 20

21. Substance Abuse Substance abuse is a pattern of alcohol or drug use that can lead to detrimental and habitual consumption, impaired functioning at school and work, and legal difficulties. Alcohol use remains widespread with about 75% of high school seniors and 40% of eighth graders consuming more that taste of alcohol. 21 Schools and Teachers Can: a. 1995 Supreme Court that schools can do random test athletes for drugs. b. 2002, another ruling included cheerleading, band, debate and so on. c. Teachers need to know the warning signs.

22. Sexuality-Related Concerns The USA have the highest birth rate among developed countries. About 1 million teenage girls get pregnant annually, resulting in 400,000 babies. More than 4 to 5 teen mothers are unmarried. Sexual orientation is another issue that plagues the schools with harassment and teasing. 22

23. Schools and Teachers Can: Provide health education courses for (middle/high). Teachers should show informed sensitivity to students that are dealing with these issues. Some schools have sex education programs. In the classroom treat all students with respect and not allowing students to use derogatory languague about sexual orientation (example.: “that’s so gay”) 23

24. Childhood Obesity Americans rank obesity as a health problem second only to cancer. The number of children who are obese have tripled since 1975. Teachers can encourage and demonstrate wellness for all students. Eat healthy meals/snacks and have a healthy lifestyle. 24

25. Suicide The ultimate health issues among (10-19 year olds). Girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys. Boys complete the act of suicide form times as often as girls. Depression is a mental illness characterized by a deep sense of sadness and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities. 25 Schools and Teachers Can: Talk to troubled students about their emotions and issues they may have.

26. Bullying Bullying aggressive behavior is “a type of emotional violence where individuals use relationships to harm others.” May involve physical aggression like shoving, tripping, and taking personal items. It’s a weapon for those who need power. 26

27. Bullying can be a single interaction; that crafted to cause fear and to exert power.  Verbal  Physical  Emotional 27 Schools and Teachers Can: a.Watch for bullying and take it seriously. b.Be an obvious presence. c.Help students develop self esteem that will prevent bullying driven by lack of confidence.

28. Teach for Tolerance “Bullied” documentary 28

29. Guest Speaker “We Don’t Do That Hear”  Have a counselor discuss racism, discrimination & bullying  Have Mrs. Wallace discuss the schools response to bullying at KPHS 29

30. How Do Truancy and Dropping Out Affect Youth in the USA? 30

31. The “silent epidemic” is dropping out of school. One of the most accurate predictors of dropping out is truancy. Truancy is nonattendance of compulsory education, not including excused absences generally granted for health reasons. Often referred to as cutting class or skipping school. 31

32. Truant students were asked why they were truant and their reasons were:  Didn’t want to go to school  Bullied  Family related Schools Can: Keep accurate attendance records and communicae all absences to families. 32

33. High school completion/graduation is measured from the beginning of high school and who graduate within the standard number of years (4). State are pressured to track entering ninth graders as they progress toward graduation to portray more accurate numbers. Most instances kids who drop out are capable of succeeding academically. 33

34. The End 34