Keller’s (2001) article sites several important aspects of today’s youth which should be taken into account when reflecting on the high school experience. These include the studies that indicate the sleep rhythms of adolescents are quite different than adults. Teenagers tend to stay up later in the evening and sleep in later. In my current high school this is reflected by stragglers into school who tend to wake up late on a daily basis. We have an extended Homebase period every day. This gives students the time in the early am to socialize, visit teachers for extra help and catch up on homework that was not completed the previous night. Our extended Homebase period allows for nearly full attendance by the time school actually begins at 8:00 am. Other examples provided by Keller (2001) include that students are often rule-bound and schools do not build “on their desire to connect to the real world.” Many classes provide “too much seat time” and lack purpose.
Viadero (2001) continues with the observation that “1/2 of high school seniors leave school today with out the skills they need to succeed in work or further study.” In addition, in urban schools, “1/2 of freshmen disappear before reaching the end of the senior year.” In my current urban high school, this last quote is currently true. Our freshman incoming class is usually around 300 pupils, however or senor graduating class was just over 100 students. By the time the students reach the upper levels, many have chosen alternative GED programs, dropped out, or transferred to alternative vocational programs. We as educators are obviously not meeting the needs of today’s young students.
References:
Keller, B. (2001). Schools Seen as Out of Sync With Teens. World Wide Web: http://educationweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=33develop.h20
Viadero, D. (2001). Getting Serious About High School. World Wide Web: http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=30highschool.h20
Viadero (2001) continues with the observation that “1/2 of high school seniors leave school today with out the skills they need to succeed in work or further study.” In addition, in urban schools, “1/2 of freshmen disappear before reaching the end of the senior year.” In my current urban high school, this last quote is currently true. Our freshman incoming class is usually around 300 pupils, however or senor graduating class was just over 100 students. By the time the students reach the upper levels, many have chosen alternative GED programs, dropped out, or transferred to alternative vocational programs. We as educators are obviously not meeting the needs of today’s young students.
References:
Keller, B. (2001). Schools Seen as Out of Sync With Teens. World Wide Web: http://educationweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=33develop.h20
Viadero, D. (2001). Getting Serious About High School. World Wide Web: http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=30highschool.h20
