Picking up the pieces - how do we address problems were are facing in education?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pay teachers more. We’re going to need the best and brightest, or at least the better and brighter, to tackle this.

Pay more and give more respect and autonomy to the profession. The best and the brightest are not going into teaching anymore, they're doing other things where they can be paid more and do less work, while not having to deal with needy kids or entitled parents.

Stop the excessive mandates from Central office. Stop the paperwork, the meetings, etc. Get more substitutes and more paras. Get more special ed teachers. The only way this will happen, is paying more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone be specific about what the "trauma" is kids are experiencing right now? I have a 12th grader and a college sophomore (and I teach elementary school) so I may not be aware of what issues other kids are having. My personal children are all very active in sports and activities in high school and college now, despite being in virtual schooling for over a year. I'm not aware of a large amount of trauma and stress in their peer group, except for the stress of college applications of course.

Our ES school seems pretty much normal emotionally. Academically there are still some gaps. We spent much of last year bringing students who were behind up to where they should be, academically but it is true that for some students, there are still gaps especially in math. What these students need IMO is individual or very small group tutoring, summer school, after school extra help. We can't provide it during the day because we have to (our school district insists that we) stick to the curriculum unfortunately. I believe this policy is misguided. They tell us we can "weave in" remediation in "mini-lessons" but what these students need are actual lessons, not ad hoc mini lessons.

But emotional trauma at the elementary school level? What are people seeing that needs to be dealt with?

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 9th grader and 11th grader so my days of being in tune with an elementary school are long gone. The pendulum seems to be swinging back to being more strict with the kids and their behaviors after being extremely understanding last year. That is what I see at my kids' high schools at least.

Shouldn't the same be happening in elementary school? A "carry on, then" attitude? It doesn't need to super strict, but these young kids need to learn they still need to carry-on and what the expectations really are. I find it hard to believe elementary kids are still too "traumatized" for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay teachers more. We’re going to need the best and brightest, or at least the better and brighter, to tackle this.

Pay more and give more respect and autonomy to the profession. The best and the brightest are not going into teaching anymore, they're doing other things where they can be paid more and do less work, while not having to deal with needy kids or entitled parents.

Stop the excessive mandates from Central office. Stop the paperwork, the meetings, etc. Get more substitutes and more paras. Get more special ed teachers. The only way this will happen, is paying more.

What will teachers do to earn more respect and autonomy, and to build support for more pay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone be specific about what the "trauma" is kids are experiencing right now? I have a 12th grader and a college sophomore (and I teach elementary school) so I may not be aware of what issues other kids are having. My personal children are all very active in sports and activities in high school and college now, despite being in virtual schooling for over a year. I'm not aware of a large amount of trauma and stress in their peer group, except for the stress of college applications of course.

Our ES school seems pretty much normal emotionally. Academically there are still some gaps. We spent much of last year bringing students who were behind up to where they should be, academically but it is true that for some students, there are still gaps especially in math. What these students need IMO is individual or very small group tutoring, summer school, after school extra help. We can't provide it during the day because we have to (our school district insists that we) stick to the curriculum unfortunately. I believe this policy is misguided. They tell us we can "weave in" remediation in "mini-lessons" but what these students need are actual lessons, not ad hoc mini lessons.

But emotional trauma at the elementary school level? What are people seeing that needs to be dealt with?

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 9th grader and 11th grader so my days of being in tune with an elementary school are long gone. The pendulum seems to be swinging back to being more strict with the kids and their behaviors after being extremely understanding last year. That is what I see at my kids' high schools at least.

Shouldn't the same be happening in elementary school? A "carry on, then" attitude? It doesn't need to super strict, but these young kids need to learn they still need to carry-on and what the expectations really are. I find it hard to believe elementary kids are still too "traumatized" for that.

I'd imagine OP is referring to repercussions from the widely reported increase in mental health issues among teens and children during and following the pandemic. E.g., https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/2022/06/devastating-mental-health-crisis-among-american-teens-today/

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/13/health/teen-mental-health-adverse-events-cdc

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8972920/

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/04/early-snapshot-of-pandemics-impact-on-childrens-mental-health/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone be specific about what the "trauma" is kids are experiencing right now? I have a 12th grader and a college sophomore (and I teach elementary school) so I may not be aware of what issues other kids are having. My personal children are all very active in sports and activities in high school and college now, despite being in virtual schooling for over a year. I'm not aware of a large amount of trauma and stress in their peer group, except for the stress of college applications of course.

Our ES school seems pretty much normal emotionally. Academically there are still some gaps. We spent much of last year bringing students who were behind up to where they should be, academically but it is true that for some students, there are still gaps especially in math. What these students need IMO is individual or very small group tutoring, summer school, after school extra help. We can't provide it during the day because we have to (our school district insists that we) stick to the curriculum unfortunately. I believe this policy is misguided. They tell us we can "weave in" remediation in "mini-lessons" but what these students need are actual lessons, not ad hoc mini lessons.

But emotional trauma at the elementary school level? What are people seeing that needs to be dealt with?

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 9th grader and 11th grader so my days of being in tune with an elementary school are long gone. The pendulum seems to be swinging back to being more strict with the kids and their behaviors after being extremely understanding last year. That is what I see at my kids' high schools at least.

Shouldn't the same be happening in elementary school? A "carry on, then" attitude? It doesn't need to super strict, but these young kids need to learn they still need to carry-on and what the expectations really are. I find it hard to believe elementary kids are still too "traumatized" for that.

Have you ever had to deal with a child with depression? "Just move on" doesn't work for adults or children. "Have you tried not being depressed?"

Yikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone be specific about what the "trauma" is kids are experiencing right now? I have a 12th grader and a college sophomore (and I teach elementary school) so I may not be aware of what issues other kids are having. My personal children are all very active in sports and activities in high school and college now, despite being in virtual schooling for over a year. I'm not aware of a large amount of trauma and stress in their peer group, except for the stress of college applications of course.

Our ES school seems pretty much normal emotionally. Academically there are still some gaps. We spent much of last year bringing students who were behind up to where they should be, academically but it is true that for some students, there are still gaps especially in math. What these students need IMO is individual or very small group tutoring, summer school, after school extra help. We can't provide it during the day because we have to (our school district insists that we) stick to the curriculum unfortunately. I believe this policy is misguided. They tell us we can "weave in" remediation in "mini-lessons" but what these students need are actual lessons, not ad hoc mini lessons.

But emotional trauma at the elementary school level? What are people seeing that needs to be dealt with?

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 9th grader and 11th grader so my days of being in tune with an elementary school are long gone. The pendulum seems to be swinging back to being more strict with the kids and their behaviors after being extremely understanding last year. That is what I see at my kids' high schools at least.

Shouldn't the same be happening in elementary school? A "carry on, then" attitude? It doesn't need to super strict, but these young kids need to learn they still need to carry-on and what the expectations really are. I find it hard to believe elementary kids are still too "traumatized" for that.

Have you ever had to deal with a child with depression? "Just move on" doesn't work for adults or children. "Have you tried not being depressed?"

Yikes.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone be specific about what the "trauma" is kids are experiencing right now? I have a 12th grader and a college sophomore (and I teach elementary school) so I may not be aware of what issues other kids are having. My personal children are all very active in sports and activities in high school and college now, despite being in virtual schooling for over a year. I'm not aware of a large amount of trauma and stress in their peer group, except for the stress of college applications of course.

Our ES school seems pretty much normal emotionally. Academically there are still some gaps. We spent much of last year bringing students who were behind up to where they should be, academically but it is true that for some students, there are still gaps especially in math. What these students need IMO is individual or very small group tutoring, summer school, after school extra help. We can't provide it during the day because we have to (our school district insists that we) stick to the curriculum unfortunately. I believe this policy is misguided. They tell us we can "weave in" remediation in "mini-lessons" but what these students need are actual lessons, not ad hoc mini lessons.

But emotional trauma at the elementary school level? What are people seeing that needs to be dealt with?

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 9th grader and 11th grader so my days of being in tune with an elementary school are long gone. The pendulum seems to be swinging back to being more strict with the kids and their behaviors after being extremely understanding last year. That is what I see at my kids' high schools at least.

Shouldn't the same be happening in elementary school? A "carry on, then" attitude? It doesn't need to super strict, but these young kids need to learn they still need to carry-on and what the expectations really are. I find it hard to believe elementary kids are still too "traumatized" for that.

If your kids and their friend are ok, then all teenagers must be ok. No problems here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone be specific about what the "trauma" is kids are experiencing right now? I have a 12th grader and a college sophomore (and I teach elementary school) so I may not be aware of what issues other kids are having. My personal children are all very active in sports and activities in high school and college now, despite being in virtual schooling for over a year. I'm not aware of a large amount of trauma and stress in their peer group, except for the stress of college applications of course.

Our ES school seems pretty much normal emotionally. Academically there are still some gaps. We spent much of last year bringing students who were behind up to where they should be, academically but it is true that for some students, there are still gaps especially in math. What these students need IMO is individual or very small group tutoring, summer school, after school extra help. We can't provide it during the day because we have to (our school district insists that we) stick to the curriculum unfortunately. I believe this policy is misguided. They tell us we can "weave in" remediation in "mini-lessons" but what these students need are actual lessons, not ad hoc mini lessons.

But emotional trauma at the elementary school level? What are people seeing that needs to be dealt with?

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 9th grader and 11th grader so my days of being in tune with an elementary school are long gone. The pendulum seems to be swinging back to being more strict with the kids and their behaviors after being extremely understanding last year. That is what I see at my kids' high schools at least.

Shouldn't the same be happening in elementary school? A "carry on, then" attitude? It doesn't need to super strict, but these young kids need to learn they still need to carry-on and what the expectations really are. I find it hard to believe elementary kids are still too "traumatized" for that.

Have you ever had to deal with a child with depression? "Just move on" doesn't work for adults or children. "Have you tried not being depressed?"

Yikes.

NP. Out of the four of us, DH and DS and DD and me, three of us really struggled with an increase in depression and anxiety during the pandemic and virtual school and afterward. Now, while DH and I are doing so-so, DS is doing fine, as is DD. A return to school, return to expectations, return to/making new friendships is what he needed and what he got.

The academic learning loss is an issue - but schools are the solution to the emotional and psychological trauma for kids, imo. Although I like OP's suggestion for increased mentoring and buddying, which was something that our ES used to do but hasn't resumed yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone be specific about what the "trauma" is kids are experiencing right now? I have a 12th grader and a college sophomore (and I teach elementary school) so I may not be aware of what issues other kids are having. My personal children are all very active in sports and activities in high school and college now, despite being in virtual schooling for over a year. I'm not aware of a large amount of trauma and stress in their peer group, except for the stress of college applications of course.

Our ES school seems pretty much normal emotionally. Academically there are still some gaps. We spent much of last year bringing students who were behind up to where they should be, academically but it is true that for some students, there are still gaps especially in math. What these students need IMO is individual or very small group tutoring, summer school, after school extra help. We can't provide it during the day because we have to (our school district insists that we) stick to the curriculum unfortunately. I believe this policy is misguided. They tell us we can "weave in" remediation in "mini-lessons" but what these students need are actual lessons, not ad hoc mini lessons.

But emotional trauma at the elementary school level? What are people seeing that needs to be dealt with?

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 9th grader and 11th grader so my days of being in tune with an elementary school are long gone. The pendulum seems to be swinging back to being more strict with the kids and their behaviors after being extremely understanding last year. That is what I see at my kids' high schools at least.

Shouldn't the same be happening in elementary school? A "carry on, then" attitude? It doesn't need to super strict, but these young kids need to learn they still need to carry-on and what the expectations really are. I find it hard to believe elementary kids are still too "traumatized" for that.

Have you ever had to deal with a child with depression? "Just move on" doesn't work for adults or children. "Have you tried not being depressed?"

Yikes.

NP. Out of the four of us, DH and DS and DD and me, three of us really struggled with an increase in depression and anxiety during the pandemic and virtual school and afterward. Now, while DH and I are doing so-so, DS is doing fine, as is DD. A return to school, return to expectations, return to/making new friendships is what he needed and what he got.

The academic learning loss is an issue - but schools are the solution to the emotional and psychological trauma for kids, imo. Although I like OP's suggestion for increased mentoring and buddying, which was something that our ES used to do but hasn't resumed yet.

How old are your kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone be specific about what the "trauma" is kids are experiencing right now? I have a 12th grader and a college sophomore (and I teach elementary school) so I may not be aware of what issues other kids are having. My personal children are all very active in sports and activities in high school and college now, despite being in virtual schooling for over a year. I'm not aware of a large amount of trauma and stress in their peer group, except for the stress of college applications of course.

Our ES school seems pretty much normal emotionally. Academically there are still some gaps. We spent much of last year bringing students who were behind up to where they should be, academically but it is true that for some students, there are still gaps especially in math. What these students need IMO is individual or very small group tutoring, summer school, after school extra help. We can't provide it during the day because we have to (our school district insists that we) stick to the curriculum unfortunately. I believe this policy is misguided. They tell us we can "weave in" remediation in "mini-lessons" but what these students need are actual lessons, not ad hoc mini lessons.

But emotional trauma at the elementary school level? What are people seeing that needs to be dealt with?

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 9th grader and 11th grader so my days of being in tune with an elementary school are long gone. The pendulum seems to be swinging back to being more strict with the kids and their behaviors after being extremely understanding last year. That is what I see at my kids' high schools at least.

Shouldn't the same be happening in elementary school? A "carry on, then" attitude? It doesn't need to super strict, but these young kids need to learn they still need to carry-on and what the expectations really are. I find it hard to believe elementary kids are still too "traumatized" for that.

Have you ever had to deal with a child with depression? "Just move on" doesn't work for adults or children. "Have you tried not being depressed?"

Yikes.

"Fake it til you make it" works. Try it.

- has been depressed more than one time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone be specific about what the "trauma" is kids are experiencing right now? I have a 12th grader and a college sophomore (and I teach elementary school) so I may not be aware of what issues other kids are having. My personal children are all very active in sports and activities in high school and college now, despite being in virtual schooling for over a year. I'm not aware of a large amount of trauma and stress in their peer group, except for the stress of college applications of course.

Our ES school seems pretty much normal emotionally. Academically there are still some gaps. We spent much of last year bringing students who were behind up to where they should be, academically but it is true that for some students, there are still gaps especially in math. What these students need IMO is individual or very small group tutoring, summer school, after school extra help. We can't provide it during the day because we have to (our school district insists that we) stick to the curriculum unfortunately. I believe this policy is misguided. They tell us we can "weave in" remediation in "mini-lessons" but what these students need are actual lessons, not ad hoc mini lessons.

But emotional trauma at the elementary school level? What are people seeing that needs to be dealt with?

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 9th grader and 11th grader so my days of being in tune with an elementary school are long gone. The pendulum seems to be swinging back to being more strict with the kids and their behaviors after being extremely understanding last year. That is what I see at my kids' high schools at least.

Shouldn't the same be happening in elementary school? A "carry on, then" attitude? It doesn't need to super strict, but these young kids need to learn they still need to carry-on and what the expectations really are. I find it hard to believe elementary kids are still too "traumatized" for that.

Have you ever had to deal with a child with depression? "Just move on" doesn't work for adults or children. "Have you tried not being depressed?"

Yikes.

NP. Out of the four of us, DH and DS and DD and me, three of us really struggled with an increase in depression and anxiety during the pandemic and virtual school and afterward. Now, while DH and I are doing so-so, DS is doing fine, as is DD. A return to school, return to expectations, return to/making new friendships is what he needed and what he got.

The academic learning loss is an issue - but schools are the solution to the emotional and psychological trauma for kids, imo. Although I like OP's suggestion for increased mentoring and buddying, which was something that our ES used to do but hasn't resumed yet.

How old are your kids?

DS is in 7th and DD is in 4th.

[Anonymous]

My 9 year old daughter developed severe anxiety and it was not related to Covid closures at school because we lived in TX and had 3 weeks of virtual school. Her anxiety developed when we moved to DC because she is so freaked out about all the people still obsessed with Covid here. It’s so sad to see such miserable people worrying all the time about Covid still when the rest of the United States has moved on!!!

[Anonymous]

Every thread like this just makes me think we need vouchers and competition. Teachers and admins don’t want what parents want or what’s good for students. They want what’s good for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pay teachers more. We’re going to need the best and brightest, or at least the better and brighter, to tackle this.

To get the best and the brightest, you'd need to pay a lot more. Right now, what teachers are being paid isn't enough to even keep the current ones from leaving.

[Anonymous]

One path we should not take (not now, not ever) is to eliminate all gifted and talented programs, like NYC has done.

Huge mistake!