Adam Burton
Kaysie Polad
Kenadi Garner
Tylee Hepworth

 

Chen, G. (2022). 10 major challenges facing public schools. Public School Review. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/10-major-challenges-facing-public-schools 

Porter, A. (2013, January 28). The problem with technology in Schools. The Washington Post. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/the-problem-with-technology-in-schools/2013/01/28/cf13dc6c-6963-11e2-ada3-d86a4806d5ee_blog.html 

Technology is becoming much more prevalent in schools, and while it does bring much good, there are also downsides. Technology in the classroom can be a big source of distraction for students, and can hurt their studying and recalling skills in terms of school content. The amount of technology used in the classroom can also negatively impact writing skills, as well as social/communication skills in students. 

In a similar manner to funding issues, technology is costly, and it is harder for schools to maintain what they need technology wise, especially in terms of homework. There are many students who do not have access to technology outside of the classroom to accomplish work, especially for students who are living in poverty. This effects these students and their families, and can create lower school scores. This makes learning and remaining engaged in the classroom much less engaging and manageable for the students who are impacted by a lack of technology, especially when technology at home is required by schools or teachers.

Forrest, S. (2021, May 12). Youths with diverse gender identities are bullied up to three times more often than peers, study finds. ILLINOIS. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/462003792 

(OCR), O. for C. R. (2021, October 27). Title IX education amendments. HHS.gov. Retrieved July 2, 2022, from https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/sex-discrimination/title-ix-education-amendments/index.html 

Rosenkrantz, H. (2021, September 1). How to handle bullying at school | K-12 schools | US news. U.S. News and World Report . Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/how-to-handle-bullying-at-school 


Bullying is a big problem in schools, and it really hurts the students, their mental health, scores in school, and the learning environment. Due to the increase of technology in schools, cyberbullying has made the problem increasingly worse. Around 1 in 5 children are bullied at some point while they are in school. It is also shown in studies that students with diverse gender identities that differ from the normative standard are bullied up to 3 times more likely than their peers. 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity) discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. This amendment is very influential in that it opens the door for students, and is a good step for those who are not protected by societal norms. This means that just because there are students that do not fit into the hetero norms, these students should still be given access to all their educational needs, and should not be denied help based on their identity, orientation, etc.. This shows that these students still are people deserving of respect, and that just because they are “different” doesn't mean they should be treated as such, especially in cruel ways. While this may be important, there is still much that needs to be done to aid in helping all youth feel safe and welcome in schools, including more ways to decrease bullying while helping all students realize their value.

STATISTIC #1:

African American students are less likely than white students to have access to college-ready courses. In fact, in 2011-12, only 57 percent of black students have access to a full range of math and science courses necessary for college readiness, compared to with 81 percent of Asian American students and 71 percent of white students.

 

college degrees are regarded as a primary vehicle for reducing poverty and closing the wealth gaps between people of color and whites. Yet, the disparities that exist are alarming. But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself by reading these statistics and the full reports from which they come. 
 

STATISTIC #2:

Even when black students do have access to honors or advanced placement courses, they are vastly underrepresented in these courses. Black and Latino students represent 38 percent of students in schools that offer AP courses, but only 29 percent of students enrolled in at least one AP course. Black and Latino students also have less access to gifted and talented education programs than white students.

 

STATISTIC #3:

African American students are often located in schools with less qualified teachers, teachers with lower salaries and novice teachers.

Learn more:

 

 

 

 

STATISTIC #4:

Research has shown evidence of systematic bias in teacher expectations for African American students and non-black teachers were found to have lower expectations of black students than black teachers.

Learn more:

 
https://uncf.org/pages/K-12-Disparity-Facts-and-Stats?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8uOWBhDXARIsAOxKJ2Gh084gV8ySAzrRnNRbuLSJ5wf5vceE5VRJggpChnCQ-6qFpIF83aEaAoRREALw_wcB

 

 

Learning challenges are identified in kids who struggle with skills like reading, math, staying organized or paying attention. But many students with learning and attention disorders also have social and communication problems.

When you’re socializing, you must understand what’s been said, organize your thoughts, decide on a response, and find the right words to use. These steps can be difficult for children with learning problems.

Kids with a nonverbal learning disorder might have problems understanding the rules around socializing. They can’t easily see that everyone is behaving a certain way. They might miss jokes or not respond when spoken to.

Children with ADHD or executive function challenges might understand what is happening but have a hard time organizing their answer. They may have trouble listening to other kids without interrupting or waiting for their turn. Or they’ll act inappropriately based on their impulses.

Kids with dyslexia they may have trouble making sense of complex language. It might also be hard for them to find the right words to use. To others, they may seem unsophisticated or immature.

When kids struggle to learn, it can lower their self-esteem. They might have been told they’re not trying hard enough. Or worry they are not as smart as other kids If they’re ashamed about their struggles, socializing can feel even harder.

But, with help, kids with learning challenges can build social skills. Make sure your child knows that they are just as smart as other kids. If they’re getting the right support for their learning challenges, they will feel more confident. Working with a professional can also help kids learn the social skills that don’t come as naturally to them as they do to other kids.

When we think of children with learning challenges, we think of difficulty with reading or math, with being organized, with paying attention and staying focused in school. But many students with learning and attention disorders also have social and communication problems.

They have trouble connecting with other kids, making friends  and understanding what’s expected of them in social situations.

Some of them miss social cues and misinterpret body language and tone of voice. Kids with learning disabilities may talk too much, or at the wrong time, or say things that are inappropriate. Some are stiff in conversation, have trouble expressing themselves and miss the point of a lot of humor. They don’t “get” things that seem to come effortlessly to other kids. They may have trouble understanding what’s happening in a group, and finding a way of fitting in.

For children and teenagers, being “just a little off” in their social behavior can easily trigger rejection by their hyperaware peers and make them targets of teasing and bullying. Sometimes young children with social awkwardness or deficits are misdiagnosed with autism, because these behaviors are one component of an autism diagnosis. But it’s important to recognize that these behaviors occur in a lot of kids who aren’t on the spectrum, too.

Most kids with learning problems have social dimensions to their problems,” observes Scott Bezsylko, the executive director of Winston Preparatory School, which specializes in teaching children with learning challenges. What causes these social and communication difficulties, and why do kids with ADHD and learning disorders have them?