8 Schools and Society Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox...

8Schools and

Society

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Schools and Society

• Countries around the world understand the importance of education– Many emphasize education to help

improve the economy and lives of citizens– Others restrict and control education– In some countries, education is only

available to the wealthy

continued


Schools and Society

• In the United States, education is not based on a national system– Variations related to quality and

opportunity

• American schools and learners are influenced by the country’s problems


Objective

• Explain how public schools are governed and funded.

© karen roach/Shutterstock


Who Is Responsible for Schools?• Control of public education falls under

– Individual state governments– Local communities– Federal government

• Powers (such as education) not assigned by the Constitution fall under state control


Objective

• Identify the structure of education in your state.

© jamie cross/Shutterstock


State Governments’ Role

• Legislature– Passes laws– Determines budget, funding

• State board of education– Provides leadership– Promotes education standards and equality– Advocates for citizen support, public funds

continued


State Governments’ Role

• Superintendent of public instruction (or commissioner of education)– Usually elected– Link between legislature and board of

education

• State department of education– Responsible for operation of schools– Certifies teachers, allocates money


For Discussion

• How is education in your state affected by your state government’s decisions?

© Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock


Local School Districts’ Role• School board

– Sets policies– Approves curriculum, funding– Determines budget– Oversees hiring– Negotiates with employee unions

continued


Local School Districts’ Role• District superintendent

– Connection between school board and individual schools

• School administrators– Carry out day-to-day activities– Oversee the budget– Hire/supervise teachers– Act as spokespersons for the school

continued


Local School Districts’ Role

• In each school, the principal acts as the top executive

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The Federal Government’s Role• Passes federal legislation to assist

states• Funds provided for states and local

districts that follow legislative guidelines

• United States Department of Education– Focus: ensure quality education for all

children– Secretary of Education is part of the

President’s cabinet


Funding for Education

• Average split of funding

46%

37%

8%

9%

State

Local

Federal

Private


State Funding

• Each state determines funding• Taxes used:

– Sales taxes– Income taxes

• Spending varies from state to state


Local Funding

• Usually comes from real estate taxes© Kuzma/Shutterstock continued


Local Funding

• Use of taxes can be controversial– Escalating taxes can cause hardship– Everyone is taxed for education, even

people without children– Those who rent or lease do not pay property

taxes– Taxes may be collected from large

businesses


Federal Funding

• Usually designated for specific special programs

• Supplementary financial support from– Elementary and Secondary Education Act

of 1965– Carl Perkins Vocational and Technical

Education Act of 1984– No Child Left Behind Act of 2001


Private Funding

• Charitable foundations award grants for– special projects– solving problems related to foundation

goals

• Individuals and groups help schools


For Discussion


• Does your school receive any private funding? If so, from whom?


The Problem of Unequal School Funding• Spending is unequal

– from one state to another– from one district to another

• Spending per pupil used to compare• School districts with lower property

values have lower property taxes

continued


The Problem of Unequal School Funding• Students from lower-income areas often

need a higher level of services (school funding gap)

• Some states and districts provide additional funding for schools that need extra services– Many of these schools have lower test

scores, higher dropout rates (achievement gap)


For Reflection

• Think of some examples of unequal funding in your state or area.

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Private Schools and Home Schooling

• Private schools– do not receive public funding– set their own policies

• Home schooling– Parents are responsible for teaching and

evaluating– Involves a major commitment of time and

effort


For Discussion


• What are the pros and cons of home schooling?


Objective

• Give examples of how schools and communities interact.

© Susan Law Cain/ Shutterstock


Communities and Schools

• Citizens take pride in student accomplishments

• Positive school-community relationships benefit both sides


Parents and Schools

• Parents want their children to have the best possible education

© sonya etchison/Shutterstock

continued


Parents and Schools

• Schools encourage teachers to communicate with parents

• Parental involvement in the school makes parental support stronger


Business and Industry Links• Businesses and industries need

potential workers• A capable workforce is important to a

community’s economy• Businesses may

– design or upgrade related school programs– raise money to pay for improvements

continued


Business and Industry Links

• Businesses may enter into a more formal relationship with a school (a corporate-education partnership)

© iofoto/Shutterstock


Schools and Community Resources

• Community resources that help schools– Community social

services– Public libraries– Museums– Area colleges and

universities– Career and technical

programs

• Ways schools help communities– Adult education

classes– Purchasing

supplies from local businesses


Objective

• Describe societal problems that impact schools and learning, along with possible solutions.

© MANDY GODBEHEAR/Shutterstock


Social Problems Affect Schools• Problems that affect students’ learning• They are serious and hard to solve• May cause students to fail or even drop

out


For Reflection

• What social problems have influenced your experiences in school?

© Archipoch/Shutterstock


Poverty

• Children living in poverty are more likely to– have inadequate nutrition, suffer from

hunger– be sick more often or have untreated

conditions– have trouble getting adequate rest– have a lack of resources at home, such as

books or computers

continued


Poverty

• Children living in poverty are at risk– May struggle with self-esteem– May have to contribute to family income– May move and change schools often– May have trouble building relationships

with peers and teachers– Emotional security makes it hard to

concentrate



• Schools can– draw on community resources– work with service agencies to help families– monitor students’ progress closely– get tutoring for students who need it– find mentors for students in the community– get students involved in school activities


Violence

• Students may experience violence in their neighborhoods

• Living in fear affects ability to concentrate– Bullying and intimidation, including

cyberbullying– Sexual and racial harassment– Physical violence



• Involve parents and communities in efforts

• Establish a zero tolerance policy (usually resulting in expulsion)

© Robert Elias/Shutterstock

continued



• Establish strict standards for nonviolent behavior

• Help change attitudes to value tolerance, acceptance, and fairness

• Teach students conflict-resolution skills


Sexually Active Students

• Sexual activity can result in– teen pregnancy (may drop out of school,

struggle to care for child, live in poverty)– sexually transmitted infections, such as

HIV-AIDS* (may not be able to be cured, can result in early death)

– ** Your Text Book was published in 2010!– March 4, 2013 – Baby Cured of HIV…– http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/03/04/baby-cured-hiv-what-does-this-mean-for-fu

ture-treatment/



• Use community resources, such as health and social service agencies, to educate

• Offer support for pregnant and parenting teens


Alcohol and Other Drugs

• Can adversely affect learning• Have devastating consequences

– Impair judgment– Lead to a life-altering event– Result in addiction



• Promote communication, discipline

• Encourage groups, such as Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)

© Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock


How Can Teachers Make a Difference?• Address problems as soon as possible• Watch for symptoms to identify

possible problems• Provide students and parents with a

warm and caring relationship• Link families with community

resources


Key Points• States, school districts, federal

government all involved in education• States pay for school through taxes• Relationships between schools and

parents and communities are important• Schools are affected by societal

problems


Review• Where do schools get the majority of

their funding?the state• List four social problems that affect

schools.poverty, violence, sexually active

students, alcohol and other drugs

continued


Review• ____ is intimidation through e-mail,

social networking sites, and texting.Cyberbullying• What is usually the result of a zero

tolerance policy?expulsion

8 Schools and Society Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox...

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Transcript of 8 Schools and Society Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox...