Readers debate solutions to school problems
The Chicago Sun-Times series "Calming our classrooms" [Sept. 2 to 5] inspired a hearty debate on our Web site about parenting and the role of schools. In the series, the Sun-Times called on the Chicago Public Schools to fundamentally rethink how it deals with the social and emotional needs of its students. Distraught kids regularly disrupt class, drag down achievement, with many dropping out and some becoming violent. Here are a few of the exchanges from our Web site:
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This is just another step in making schools surrogate parents. The teachers are correct, school is not for curing all that ails society. Let's take this counseling idea up one level. Why not have mandatory parent counseling instead? That would get to the root of the problem. It would cost less than individual student "care." Maybe once the parents understand they have a stake in the outcome, that there is an alternative to another funeral, they will begin to participate.
U gotta be kidding
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You cannot build a house without a foundation. The root of this problem is that these kids are roaming the streets with no parental supervision. Mandatory parenting classes are a start. If the parenting isn't done, you are not going to produce successful citizens.
Oolagirl
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Bravo on this series and initiative. I created and taught in two public elementary schools in Uptown for 12 years an anti-violence, anti-bias, life-skills program and believe deeply in its importance.
Children who are taught that there are only two outcomes from a conflict, win or lose, need to understand the other two outcomes are more significant: both parties can lose or win. When children are taught this, they see conflict from a whole new perspective.
Students who live in a violent community and who have to depend on adults for their preservation go to school with the idea that it is the teacher's job to teach me instead of it is my job to learn. School systems need to change their approach and teach students to love learning for its own sake.
Paul Sjordal
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Seems almost like the schools are raising these kids and not the parents. What a disgusting shame. Teachers are supposed to teach; let the parents raise them and talk to them about killing people. . . . You people have it all backwards and wrong! When are you going to start holding these free-loading, baby-popping machines accountable for what is happening here?
June bug
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How does the city go about mandatory parenting classes? If no one is teaching these kids responsibility, respect for people and property and some kind of work ethic, all the money in the world isn't going to make them succeed.
In this entire article, the word parent or parenting was not used once. How's the mental health of the parents? Kids learn from the parental behavior. Seems to me, a child's basic needs are first met at home. Did the parents get their needs met? Anger management, conflict resolution and problem-solving is also learned at home. In other words, the parents have to change as well.
Rundy
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I've been a teacher in CPS for nine years, and I would have to say the majority of problems facing our students can be traced to one source: gangs. Until Chicago gets serious about confronting and eliminating gangs, the violence will not stop. It's as simple as that.
Shorty lowe
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I encourage readers to visit the Web site of the UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools, http:// smhp.psych.ucla.edu, for additional information about social and emotional support needed in schools.
I also would like readers and policy makers to look at a report titled "The Essential Supports for School Improvement," published in September 2006 by the Consortium on Chicago School Research. It talks about "bridging social capital" in disadvantaged communities, which creates opportunities for residents to engage with external individuals and organizations. Volunteer-based tutoring/mentoring programs were an example of ways churches and businesses can connect inner city kids with individuals and resources not available in their communities.
CPS and legislative policy initiatives need to focus on the non-school hours and community based organizations as essential parts of any violence reduction, work-force development or school improvement plan.
Throughout Chicago, tutor/ mentor programs are seeking volunteers and donors. If readers want to reduce violence and improve learning opportunities, seek out one or more of these programs and get involved.
Dbassill