Definition of Poverty Nearly 14 million children in the United States – 19% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level – $22,050 a year for a family of four. One in 4 children are poor. Every 32 seconds, child is born poor in US In Whatcom County, 14.6% of children and 7.8% percent of families live below the poverty line. (unitedwaywhatcome) In recent years, Whatcom County's high-school- dropout rate has increased more rapidly than Washington state's overall average. From 1994 to 2004 the county's dropout rate increased by 55.8%. (unitedwaywhatcom) Alarming statistics

Emotional and Social Issues related to children in poverty Definition of Trauma-Trauma Glasses are difficult to remove Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:3 overlapping symptoms Hyperarousal Intrustion Constriction Labeling: disobediance, impulsiveness, difficulty getting along with peers, etc Students dealing with trauma: 2 1/2 more likely to fail a grade Score lower on standardized achievement test scores have more receptive or expressive language difficulties are suspended or expelled more often are designed to special education more frequently

Barriers and Solutions the tendency to see trauma as a home problem rather than a school problem; misplacing blame on students or parents (whether intentionally or inadvertently); the personal impact on staff of dealing with these issues, including feelings of helplessness and being overwhelmed; balancing individual student needs with the needs of the class as a whole; and lack of skills and resources for handling trauma (p.60) Helping students regulate emotions Maintaining high academic standards Helping children feel safe Managing behavior and setting limits Reduce bullying and harassment Helping children have a sense of agency Building on strengths Understanding the connection between behavior and emotion Avoiding labels

Vocational Schools

Lets talk about it … Typical Public Schools often do not have the capacity to cater to individual learning. Struggle to Pass Cookie Cutter Who gets specialized education? Tutors Economically advantaged Private School

*Opportunity Vocational / Technical Public High School Individual & Unique Learning Styles Hands on Offer a unique educational opportunity that provides small class sizes, hands on learning….

*10 facts about vocational ed. 1. Found that the gap of testing proficiency for “economically disadvantaged students” was smaller in vocational school settings. 2. Smaller Class Sizes 3. More Hands on learning 4. Focus on individualized learning 5. Focus on career/job opportunities ** 6.

Is it working? Out of the top ten “Best High Schools in the Nation” selected by: US News Narrowed down to Public Education #1 was a vocational school in Virginia 4/10 were Vocational Included in these vocational schools were charter / “gifted students”/ academies/ other high-school-is-best-in-the-nation.html

*How are we doing? WA state has 11 vocational Public High Schools Our very own Whatcom County Winward High School

*Winward Our goal is to create a dynamic, engaging environment where students and staff collaborate within a flexible and integrated curriculum. Everyone is a teacher and a learner. Mission Statement Classes offered Differences from standard public high school smaller class size teacher collaboration across disciplines project-based learning teacher/student relationships that emphasize mentoring & accountability Winwardhigh.org Sign me up!

*Recommendations How can Bellingham Diversify Vocational Schooling? Advertise to L/I families & Students What would this look like? Come & see day in Newsletter Emphasize that it is a public school Emphasize that it is open to all *should probably see what Winward is already doing*

“We want more!” Research Advertisement & Support Funding Opport unity Unique Hands On

*Findings Good Opportunity Not for everyone Unknown to many Students who are diagnosed with ADD and ADHD often do better in these settings ** Other types can be beneficial: -private – alternative –transitional **Emotional Issues Poverty.. Children in poverty sometimes have a bad home life. Not getting enough to eat, no parental support, abuse.. Etc. Often times being in school w/others who do have these *luxuries* can be very difficult causing them to seek other forms of education or none at all… it is important to understand what is happening behind the scenes.

Gregg

Tiffany

Maggie