Three Current Issues in Educat ion

• Health and Wellness: The effects of environment, community, family, wealth, and physical health on a student’s ability to learn.• Literacy: Improving literacy for English Language Learners and Special Education Students.• Lack of Play/Creativity: Play time and recess time reductions and elimination of classes in the arts.

1. Health and wellness are critical factors affecting the success of our schools and students. The ability to ensure a students, physical and mental health while also helping to keep them safe and nourished are the basic foundation to allowing the process of education to be successful.

More schools are addressing this issue by creating schools with resources for the whole family. Schools are being created with support systems for the student and families mental health needs as well as physical health needs. Schools are also recognizing the need to educate parents and encourage participation in their child’s goals in a way that is accessible within the school.

LaRocco , Taylor, and D’Annolfo (2014) found some school communities educating teachers about mindfulness to improve the overall environment within the school. These community based approaches to the health and wellness of the child, family and teachers allow for multiple forms of collaboration and intervention with all those involved.

2. Literacy has always been a major focus and priority in education, but the nature of how it is being addressed and the population of students who are involved has evolved dramatically from just a few decades ago. The quantity of English Language Learners (ELLs) has greatly increased and many students who may have formally been diagnosed as learning disabled in literacy are now being taught using RTI and other evidenced based instruction without the need for an IEP.

The wisdom of formal literacy and reading teachers along with ELL teachers and special education and resource teachers are all needed in the general education

classroom to make literacy a success. Finding a way to integrate the different styles and levels of literacy in the classroom in an efficient way is an art form that requires structure flexibility and most of all collaboration. The willingness to understand and incorporate the culture of ELLs into the classroom requires another form of collaboration with the community and families of students.

3. Play and the creative arts are an essential part of the cognitive and developmental growth to children and teens. Many students who struggle in traditional academics may find their greatest success in sports or the arts. These subjects along with carefree physical movement and “play” develop a balanced body and mind. To ensure the continuation of these opportunities in schools teacher may need to incorporate the arts, music and even movement like yoga or simple exercises into their regular academics.

References: LaRocco, D. J., Taylor, B. A., & D'Annolfo, S. C. (2014). Urban Community Schools: Educator

Perceptions of the Effects of Children’s Health and Wellness on Learning. Current Issues in Education, 17(1). Retrieved from http://cie.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/cieatasu/article/view/1319

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