11 Schools “The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds.” — Anatole France French Novelist, 20th Century “The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds.” — Anatole France French Novelist, 20th Century Chapter Title

Transitions in Schooling Middle to Junior High School = Stress –Puberty –Formal operational thought –Responsibility and independence –Impersonal school structure –Heterogeneous set of peers –Focus on assessment

What Makes a Successful Middle School / Carnegie Report Recommendations –Develop smaller communities –Lower students-to-counselor ratio –Involve parents and community –Develop better curricula –Team-teach in flexible blocks, integrating several disciplines –Boost students’ health and fitness Transitions in Schooling

The American High School New Mission for the 21st Century –Enable all students to graduate –Higher expectations for student achievement –Provide students with higher quality work experiences –Increase coordination and communication K-12

High School Dropouts Fig. 11.3

Causes of Dropping Out School-related problems Economic reasons Socioeconomic status Friends drop out Personal reasons

Reducing the Dropout Rate “I Have a Dream” Foundation Reduce barriers between school and work

Transition from High School to College More impersonal school structure Other demands Focus on assessment Reduced contact with parents

Transition from College to Work May lack vocationally-specific skills Difficulty obtaining a job

Changing Social Developmental Contexts Preschool Elementary School Secondary Level

Size and Climate of Schools School Size and Classroom Size Classroom Climate Strategies of Classroom Management –Authoritative –Authoritarian –Permissive

Person-Environment Fit Teachers and Parents –Interactions with Teachers Teacher traits Understand development Parents and Schools –Involvement is important

Peers Structure of middle school Peer statuses Bullying Friendship Crowds

Peers Bullying Behaviors Among U.S. Youth Fig. 11.4

Culture Socioeconomic Status –Barriers to Learning Ethnicity –School Segregation –Jigsaw Classroom

Cross-Cultural Comparisons Secondary Schools –School begins at age 6 or 7 –Stay in school until years old –Divided into levels –Entrance exams in Japan only –Sports important in US only College