Exceptional Children’s Department April 14 &16, 2015

Kids can walk around trouble if there is some place to walk to and some one to walk with.

Barriers to student learning are multifaceted and complex. Think about barriers to student learning jot down at least 2 on your sticky and post.

 Now review the list of barriers and select the top 3 major barriers.  Talk about how you would go about addressing these barriers. Which of these do you have some influence?

 Do you look at symptoms to determine barriers?  Look at your top 3 barriers: Are these symptoms or barriers?

Symptom: A condition that occurs because of a problem or disorder; a sign or indication of something. Barrier: Something that obstructs or impedes; anything that makes it difficult to do something.

If we in education want to change things do we need to address the symptoms or barriers?

 Black African American Discipline = 3121  Total # ODR = 4659  Disruptive Behavior = 1681  Insubordination = 648

 Black/African American Discipline = 2261  Disruptive Behavior = 856  Bus Misbehavior = 384  Insubordination = 330  Inappropriate Language/Disrespect = 218  Fighting = 158

All students are to have an equal opportunity to succeed at school and schools are to leave No Child Behind. Failing Grades Given  Elementary Failing Grades = 354  Middle Level Failing Grades =670  Scotland High Failing Grades = 703  Total # Failing Grades = 1727  How many potential failure letters did your school send out this spring?

Many students in Scotland County live in poverty and therefore are unmotivated to invest in school.

I. Institutional  Polices, procedures & rules of engagement that make some students feel invisible or marginalized in classrooms in your school or in your school period.  If the rules automatically prevent them from ever being successful in class they will not invest themselves in those classes. What kinds of students are best served by your schools?

 The ways that you relate to students. If you do not really understand what really drives and motivates your students, no strategy you try will work. Ask Yourself: What students do you find the easiest and most difficult to engage and why?

 Those things that make students feel what they bring to the classroom, school (their personalities, their gifts, their experiences and their ways of learning) are not valued.  If students feel that they are not valued they will not invest themselves in their learning. Ask Yourself: What currencies do your students carry and value and are those currencies recognized and valued in your schools?

 Those things that prevent students from actively engaging in their learning.  If you do not understand how to engage students through your instruction it is hard to keep them motivated to learn for very long. Ask Yourself: What lessons do my students respond to the most and why?

 Take some time to assess which barriers may be preventing your students from being fully motivated in your school? Focus on the barrier and not the symptoms.  Which barrier was your biggest challenge this year?  What is your plan to stop it from being a barrier?

 Why are some students not engaged in classroom learning? Disruptive Behavior = Disruptive Behavior = 856  Why are they misbehaving (symptom)?  What barriers do we need to address to reduce this symptom?

Positive learning is facilitated when the learner cares about learning and the teacher cares about teaching. The whole process of Teaching undoubtedly benefits greatly when all the participants care about each other.

Caring has moral, social and personal facets. And When all facets of caring are present and balanced, they can nurture individuals and facilitate the process of Learning.

Caring should be a major focus of what is taught and learned each day. In Scotland County Schools :

 Caring begins when students and their families first arrive at your school. Class rooms and schools can do their job better if students feel they are truly welcome and have a range of social supports. Talk at your table about how you show students and their families care when they first arrive at your school. Be prepared to discuss at least one.

Talk at your table about the different ways you have staff make positive contacts, how often and how you monitor such contact. Be prepared to report out.

 Fighting Poverty

Through Caring for all our Children

 One of the most effective ways to reduce children’s risk of developing problem behaviors is to strengthen their bonds with family members, teachers and other socially responsible adults.

 Children living in high risk environments can be protected from behavior problems by a strong, affectionate relationship with an adult who cares about and is committed to their healthy development.

 Watch video:

Kids can walk around trouble if there is some place to walk to and some one to walk with.