Chapter 4 Changes in American Society: Their Influences on Today’s Schools Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Changes in American Families Traditional family—husband as primary breadwinner, stay-at-home mother, and 2 children—makes up only 6% of U.S. families. 68% of families composed of married couples. 70% of women with children work. 32% of children live with single parent or some other caregiver. Poverty rate for single-parent families 7–8 times higher than for families of married couples. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Education Fulfillment of basic needs Family stability School-related experiences Interaction patterns in the home Parental attitudes and values Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Student Sexuality U.S. teenage pregnancy rate highest among Western industrialized countries Almost half of teenagers report being sexually active. Controversies in sex education center on abstinence-only versus more comprehensive approaches. Many students, especially homosexual ones, report sexual harassment in schools. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Alcohol and Drugs Over half of all students tried an illicit drug by the time they finished high school. 75% of high school seniors reported alcohol use, 47% in the last 30 days. 45% of seniors experimented with marijuana or hashish. 50% of seniors, 39% of 10th-graders, and 26% of eighth-graders reported smoking cigarettes. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Obesity Becoming a national epidemic that starts during school years Exacerbated by multiple factors: Sedentary lifestyle focused on TV and computers Diet Lack of exercise School soft-drink policies Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Crime and Violence While a serious problem, incidence of crime and violence has decreased in recent years Students safer in schools than in their neighborhoods Crime and violence related to poverty in neighborhoods Student concerns highest at middle school level Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

School Uniforms One school-wide effort to combat crime and violence Popular in many districts and supported by courts Critics claim Violates students’ individual rights Unsubstantiated effectiveness Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

School Uniforms (continued) Advocates counter with these claims Improved discipline and classroom behavior Increased school attendance and respect for teachers Better school performance Lower clothing costs and social stratification Decreased crime and violence Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Bullying More common than many adults realize 74% of 8- to 11-year-olds and 86% of 12- to 15-year-olds reported bullying in their schools. Often occurs in places in schools outside the classroom Often ignored by teachers Requires a school-wide effort by all teachers Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Zero-Tolerance Policies Students automatically suspended for offenses involving weapons, threats, or drugs Mandated by Congress and enforced by 75% of all schools Supported by teachers (70%) and parents (68%) Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Zero-Tolerance Policies (continued) Advocates claim they work, making schools safer. Critics question their effectiveness and find flaws in implementation, especially for minority students. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Suicide Third leading cause of teen death (after accidents and homicide) 500,000 youths each year attempt suicide, and 5,000 succeed Related to Family conflicts Drug use Peer harassment Failed peer relationships Teachers often in the best position to notice danger signs Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Potential Suicide Indicators An abrupt decline in the quality of schoolwork Withdrawal from friends or classroom and school activities Neglect of personal appearance or radical changes in personality Changes in eating or sleeping habits Depression, as evidenced by persistent boredom or lack of interest in school activities Student comments about suicide as a solution to problems Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Child Abuse Teachers required by law to report Teachers protected by law if they report Possible signs include Neglected appearance Sudden changes in either academic or social behavior Disruptive or overly compliant behavior Repeated injuries such as bruises, welts, or burns Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Dropout Problem Can have a significant effect on subsequent earnings High school graduates earn 34% more than dropouts High school dropouts earn $260,000 less over a lifetime Closes the door to college Influenced by student ethnicity and SES Individual teachers can influence through caring and effective classroom practices. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Urban Schools and Students Placed At-Risk Urban schools tend to be larger and more impersonal. Urban students often commute from geographically diverse neighborhoods, making access to friendships and extracurricular activities more difficult. Teachers are crucial for student success because they are often the major human link between schools and students. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Full-Service Schools Serve as a family resource center for a range of social and health services James Comer’s School Development Program Provides a comprehensive web of outreach services to students and their families Produced increased achievement, improved self-concepts, and decreases in absences, suspensions, and management problems Requires redefined teacher roles Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Effective Practices for Students Placed At-Risk Schools are safe and orderly with an emphasis on community and student responsibility. Teachers are personal and caring, emphasize student responsibility, and have high expectations for students. Effective instruction is interactive with increased structure, support, and feedback. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.