What's wrong with calling kids "students"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our county hired an outside DEI consulting firm. Among other work, they came with the suggestion to use “scholars” over students, because in part, it helps kids feel more safe

How was that determined? And how is scholar safer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our county hired an outside DEI consulting firm. Among other work, they came with the suggestion to use “scholars” over students, because in part, it helps kids feel more safe

How was that determined? And how is scholar safer?

I am an activist in the field of DEI and education. I do not agree with that assessment and would argue that phrases such as “boys and girls” or “ladies and gentlemen” cause harm, but very rarely get addressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our county hired an outside DEI consulting firm. Among other work, they came with the suggestion to use “scholars” over students, because in part, it helps kids feel more safe

How was that determined? And how is scholar safer?

I am an activist in the field of DEI and education. I do not agree with that assessment and would argue that phrases such as “boys and girls” or “ladies and gentlemen” cause harm, but very rarely get addressed.

Cause harm...

Our poor kids.

[Anonymous]

It’s definitely consultant jargon originally aimed at low-performing schools.

Really meaningless fluff that does nothing tangible to address education achievement gaps.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher and my pet peeve is when my colleagues call their students their "kids".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our elementary refers to the students as "scholars". I don't have an issue with this, scholar is a fine word even if it doesn't roll off my tongue. However, in the last month I have seen people corrected when they've used the word "students" to refer to the kids, once in person by an admin and another time in a group email exchange among parents (the corrector is a PTO officer). Apparently we are not supposed to use the word students at all if we can avoid it. I've asked a few other parents but no one has had an explanation for why, just that the school adopted the "scholars" language a while back and I guess is pushing it harder this year.

Can anyone explain this to me? What is wrong with the word "students" and why is "scholars" better? I feel like I'm a pretty culturally aware person but this one has be stumped.

I am all for it, because it makes kids feel more safe, and creates a safer environment to learn in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our elementary refers to the students as "scholars". I don't have an issue with this, scholar is a fine word even if it doesn't roll off my tongue. However, in the last month I have seen people corrected when they've used the word "students" to refer to the kids, once in person by an admin and another time in a group email exchange among parents (the corrector is a PTO officer). Apparently we are not supposed to use the word students at all if we can avoid it. I've asked a few other parents but no one has had an explanation for why, just that the school adopted the "scholars" language a while back and I guess is pushing it harder this year.

Can anyone explain this to me? What is wrong with the word "students" and why is "scholars" better? I feel like I'm a pretty culturally aware person but this one has be stumped.

I am all for it, because it makes kids feel more safe, and creates a safer environment to learn in.

How does the word "scholars" keep kids safer? I don't understand. What is unsafe about "students"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our elementary refers to the students as "scholars". I don't have an issue with this, scholar is a fine word even if it doesn't roll off my tongue. However, in the last month I have seen people corrected when they've used the word "students" to refer to the kids, once in person by an admin and another time in a group email exchange among parents (the corrector is a PTO officer). Apparently we are not supposed to use the word students at all if we can avoid it. I've asked a few other parents but no one has had an explanation for why, just that the school adopted the "scholars" language a while back and I guess is pushing it harder this year.

Can anyone explain this to me? What is wrong with the word "students" and why is "scholars" better? I feel like I'm a pretty culturally aware person but this one has be stumped.

I am all for it, because it makes kids feel more safe, and creates a safer environment to learn in.

How does the word "scholars" keep kids safer? I don't understand. What is unsafe about "students"?

I can’t figure this out either…

[Anonymous]

I don’t know if this has been said already but I always notice teachers call the kids “friends”. We’re in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know if this has been said already but I always notice teachers call the kids “friends”. We’re in MCPS.

It’s one word to use to remain gender neutral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know if this has been said already but I always notice teachers call the kids “friends”. We’re in MCPS.

My DD's ECE teachers in DCPS also used this word, but it's more to replace "classmates" than "students". It's a word the kids are encouraged to use with one another, and I think it's perfect at that age when kids are trying to figure out what it means to be a friend and how to socialize with peers, and it encourages a kind of communal atmosphere.

But I can't see it working in upper elementary because by then kids no the difference between a friend and acquaintance. It doesn't mean they dislike the kids they aren't friends with, but I think it would feel fake and childish at that point to call all your classmates "friends".

But different than the school using/enforcing use of the word "scholars" to replace students.

[Anonymous]

I like the word "scholars" more than the word "students." To me, a scholar sounds like someone who is purposefully trying to learn. They are all students because they are registered at the school. However, when I think of a scholar, I'm thinking of someone who is putting forth their own effort, intentionally engaging with the material, rather than just being a receptacle for others (teachers) to talk at them. Calling everyone scholars of course means that some students are not actually fitting this definition (yet), but I think there's value in calling them what you want them to be so they can aspire to that.

[Anonymous]

What about the word study? Do the scholars study or get schooled?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our county hired an outside DEI consulting firm. Among other work, they came with the suggestion to use “scholars” over students, because in part, it helps kids feel more safe

How was that determined? And how is scholar safer?

I am an activist in the field of DEI and education. I do not agree with that assessment and would argue that phrases such as “boys and girls” or “ladies and gentlemen” cause harm, but very rarely get addressed.

Both “boys and girls” and “ladies and gentlemen” cause harm because they are not inclusive of the many other genders.

Beyond being wrong as non-inclusive, they create a space where some individuals and their allies may not feel safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our county hired an outside DEI consulting firm. Among other work, they came with the suggestion to use “scholars” over students, because in part, it helps kids feel more safe

How was that determined? And how is scholar safer?

I am an activist in the field of DEI and education. I do not agree with that assessment and would argue that phrases such as “boys and girls” or “ladies and gentlemen” cause harm, but very rarely get addressed.

Both “boys and girls” and “ladies and gentlemen” cause harm because they are not inclusive of the many other genders.

Beyond being wrong as non-inclusive, they create a space where some individuals and their allies may not feel safe.

You left off the/s.