What Are Schools Like Today?
Parents: As a generalization, you can expect your children’s schools from preschool through high school to be more academic than the ones you attended. On your own state’s education website, you can usually see what children are expected to learn in public schools at each level, from kindergarten through high school.
Most states have adopted the Common Core Standards for English language arts and mathematics, so there is some uniformity across the nation. These standards have learning goals and end-of-year expectations; however, teachers can determine how these goals will be met.
What follows is a look at what is happening across the nation, so you can compare it to what is occurring in your children’s schools.
The Biggest Change
More than 2,000 schools have moved from having the traditional five-day week to a four-day week with a longer schedule each day. While parents, students and teachers seem to like it, there is little saving of funds, and students’ academic progress is slower over time than those having a five-day week.
A Look at Preschool Programs
Sadly, believe it or not, research done by the National Institute for Early Education Research shows that most preschool programs are not “high-quality.” So, there is now a movement to develop state standards for all preschool programs.
Basically, there are two types of preschool programs: those that last about 3-1/2 hours and those that are all day and include rest time and some meals. The idea behind both programs is for the children to learn “pre-skills” to lay the groundwork for elementary school. This means learning school routines.
You will find preschool classrooms feature learning stations with art, music, science, math and sand and water activities. There will also be group activities, especially ones featuring the teacher reading stories to the children.
How much academics children pick up depends greatly on the preschool. Many will expect children to learn to count to 10, read their own names and recognize some letters of the alphabet, especially those in their first names.
Kindergarten Is Academic Nowadays
Yesterday’s milk-and-cookies kindergartens no longer exist for the most part. Most kindergartens now look like what first grade once was. One of the big changes is the move away from a half-day of school to a full day. This all happened back in 2001 with the No Child Left Behind legislation that stressed testing starting in third grade and learning standards. Recess once was 45 minutes at this level—now it’s often just 15.
Many teachers routinely have kindergarteners start their day with reading and math worksheets. By the end of the year, the children are often expected to be able to count to 100, write numbers from 0 to 20, read and write simple words, know all their letters and sounds and read simple books.
All this is happening with a strong degree of conflict among educators. The academic kindergarten proponents cite some studies that show that children in academic kindergartens do no worse than those in play-based ones in self-control, focus and behavior. On the other side, the play-based advocates stress the years of studies that say the play-based approach is the best strategy for young learners to grow in all developmental areas. In addition, the play-based advocates have a valid argument that not all kindergarteners are ready developmentally to handle an academic approach.
Today’s Elementary Schools
Tremendous diversity exists in what is being taught and how in elementary schools. Obviously, the computer is part of so much instruction. Teachers who are technologically savvy are able to use it more imaginatively to individualize instruction to meet individual students’ needs and abilities. Most classrooms will have a mix of computer-based and teacher-based instruction.
Typically, computers are introduced slowly as early as first grade. The first task is for students to learn how to type and use them. Then reading and math lessons may be individualized for computer sessions. Computers are usually only used at school.
Another current trend is the elimination of recess or shortening of recess time for academics. Some schools, however, are bucking this trend as they realize the benefits of physical exercise during the school day. A very interesting trend found in some elementary schools is that no homework is being assigned.
Middle School Trends
You will find that middle schools are most like the ones you attended. Students will move from class to class for different subjects. The major difference is that close to 80% of the students’ work will be done on the computer, including most subject tests and homework.
One change is that elements of algebra like ratio and proportion will be introduced in sixth grade math. Also, some students will take Algebra 1 in eighth grade, letting them take more advanced math classes in high school.
High Schools Have More Advanced Offerings
Schools are offering more AP and challenging courses. Besides doing much of their work on computers, students and parents can now access the students’ grades and assignments online. On an unfortunate note, cheating is rampant in high school, according to most studies. This includes cheating on tests, copying homework, plagiarism and the inappropriate use of AI chatbots.
Beyond Academics
At almost every level of schooling, time is now being devoted to programs that counter bullying and violence and teach conflict resolution and tolerance for different lifestyle choices.
Parents should send questions and comments to DearTeacher@DearTeacher.com and visit the DearTeacher.com website to learn more about helping their children succeed in school.
©Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2024
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