WJS Survey Results-- Poverty & Achievement Gap

West  Jasper Survey Results:
Poverty & Achievement Gap

1. Please rate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding WJ
	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree	Not Sure	Rating Average	Rating Count
Our school has a high rate of children who live in poverty.	12.0% (3)	4.0% (1)	16.0% (4)	56.0% (14)	12.0% (3)	3.52	25
The poorest students tend to underperform in the classroom.	4.2% (1)	41.7% (10)	33.3% (8)	12.5% (3)	8.3% (2)	2.79	24
Many of our children will drop out of high school.	16.7% (4)	29.2% (7)	41.7% (10)	4.2% (1)	8.3% (2)	2.58	2

2. Please rank the issues in order of their affect on students and their performance
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Rating Average	Rating Count
Home life (ie disruptions, divorce, single parent, etc)	56.0% (14)	24.0% (6)	12.0% (3)	0.0% (0)	0.0% (0)	4.0% (1)	4.0% (1)	1.92	25
Teacher influence (relationship, effectiveness)	28.0% (7)	12.0% (3)	20.0% (5)	12.0% (3)	24.0% (6)	4.0% (1)	0.0% (0)	3.04	25
Academic Ability	8.0% (2)	8.0% (2)	20.0% (5)	28.0% (7)	12.0% (3)	24.0% (6)	0.0% (0)	4.00	25
Motivation	4.0% (1)	20.0% (5)	20.0% (5)	28.0% (7)	4.0% (1)	12.0% (3)	12.0% (3)	3.92	25
Socioeconomic status	0.0% (0)	4.0% (1)	4.0% (1)	0.0% (0)	32.0% (8)	24.0% (6)	36.0% (9)	5.76	25
Attendance	0.0% (0)	20.0% (5)	16.0% (4)	8.0% (2)	12.0% (3)	24.0% (6)	20.0% (5)	4.64	25
Behavior	4.0% (1)	12.0% (3)	8.0% (2)	24.0% (6)	16.0% (4)	8.0% (2)	28.0% (7)	4.72	25

3. At our school, how many teachers/faculty actively attempt to build significant relationships with students?
		Response Percent	Response Count
more than 80% teachers/faculty		66.7%	16
<80% but more than half of teachers/faculty		33.3%	8
<50% teachers/faculty		0.0%	0

4. Please indicate your level of agreement to the following questions.
	Disagree	Agree	Don't know	Rating Average	Rating Count
College is not a priority for most of our students or their families.	16.0% (4)	80.0% (20)	4.0% (1)	1.88	25
It is our responsibility as teachers to help give students a sense of destiny.	0.0% (0)	100.0% (25)	0.0% (0)	2.00	25
Our school is a safe haven for most of the students.	0.0% (0)	100.0% (25)	0.0% (0)	2.00	25
Boys tend to struggle more in the classroom setting, than girls.	28.0% (7)	48.0% (12)	24.0% (6)	1.96	25

5. As an educator at WJ, most of the time I feel as if there is nothing I can do to change a student's future outcome.
		Response Percent	Response Count
True		20.0%	5
False		80.0%	20

Boys In Poverty-- book Conclusion

This book has really helped me to have a better understanding of ALL boys and their unique design. Its authors did an excellent job with providing not just WHY behaviors occur but also detailed ways on HOW to help boys in poverty.

Sadly, when a boy drops out of school he tends to become a statistic in the judicial system, which costs a community not only money, but safety. So, "the sooner the interventions, the lower the cost."

The book recommends a systematic approach of identifying at risk boys, then a consistent diagnostic approach of early intervention (not a wait-to-fail), with a use of the indicators and interventions noted throughout the book.

Teachers-
Be proactive
Build relationships
Establish mutual respect
Assess resources of family
Watch for disproportionate amounts of boys in poverty being placed in special ed
Involve the community as stakeholders within the school

"The talent that can be developed in an individual when he is educated, is phenomenal. We owe it to the greater well-being of everyone."

Chapter 8

http://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/ch-8/6083556/?s=50tpOY&ref=app

I have created an EduCreations "lesson" on chapter 8. Please excuse my raspy voice, as I am still struggling with this cold.

Chapter 7

There are many things we can do to support boys who are Sensitive, Gay, Gifted, or ADHD to Prevent Dropout

 

Sensitive Boys: Are boys who typically do well in school but do not fit into the typical male world due to little or no athletic ability... they maybe writers, artists, etc and are commonly referred "Gender Atypical". Many of these boys are victimized and lonely, with over protective mothers and absent fathers. Most school shooters fall into this category.

 

Gay Boys: Students today may show a greater tolerance for gay youths than they did 10-15 years ago but these boys still face great obstacles. Most who are different feel shame. They are nearly 3x as likely to be assaulted or be in physical fights, 3x more likely to be threatened or injured with a weapon at school, and nearly 4x as likely to skip school due to feeling unsafe.

These boys need FOUR things to establish emotional security:

1.Parental Acceptance-- especially from dads

2. Religion or spirituality

3. Community acceptance -- including school community

4. Tolerance in the workplace 

Gifted Boys:  By the time many gifted boys have reached middle school, they find themselves labeled as geeks & nerds and feel excluded from most groups. The risk of social isolation, inappropriate educational response, and lack of authentic interaction is particularly troublesome.

 

Don't allow exclusion of others. Foster these special boys' gifts. In poverty, giftedness is not admired. We must be an advocate for these boys.  

I even had a young man tell me that he couldn't go to college, because his family would be "jealous!" I was astounded! 

 

 

ADHD Boys: Boys in general, as well as children born to parents who have low educations levels, are at an increased risk for developing ADHD. Hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity are all normal boy behaviors...it is the degree to which these manifest themselves. The side effects, costs, and risk of addiction are all concerns with this subgroup of boys.

Our young men need drug education as they prepare to leave school. Many times the dependence on ADHD meds creates a dependence on drugs later in life.

      This weekend, a letter from a Father to a son went viral. It made me think of the need of young men to have supportive fathers... Gay, straight, sensitive, "jocks", etc. BOYS NEED STRONG, LOVING MALES in their lives!

No matter your beliefs, a father's love is such an important thing for boys!

BOYS need our SUPPORT! We must teach our children tolerance for ALL. We don't have to agree but we MUST be kind! The school should be a place of safety for all students.

 

Chapter 6 - Effects of Drugs, Alcohol, and Early Sexual Activity

Chapter 6 Review is a LINO board...

<div><table><tr><td><a href="http://linoit.com/users/mrsevans4/canvases/Chapter%207-%20B.I.P"><img src="http://linoit.com/dock/10109536" border="0" width="89" height="68" id="lino10109536" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-size:80%;"><a href="http://linoit.com/users/mrsevans4/canvases/Chapter%207-%20B.I.P" style="position:relative;top:-10px;">Chapter 7- B.I.P</a></td></tr></table><!--[if IE 6]><script type="text/javascript">var e=document.getElementById('lino10109536');e.src='http://linoit.com/image/iepngfix.gif';e.style.filter='progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(sizingMethod=\'crop\',src=\'http://linoit.com/dock/10109536\')';</script><![endif]--></div>

Let me know if you cannot access the board. LINO is free so you might have to sign up.

Links

HELPFUL LINKS: 

Seven Habits—Awesome Self-Management tools!

http://www.theleaderinme.org/the-7-habits-for-kids

·         EduBlog: 6 R’s to Success in School and Life

http://mgleeson.edublogs.org/2013/01/27/the-6-rs-to-success-in-school-and-life/

·         Free Lesson Plans:

http://teachers.net/lessons

·         Poverty and Achievement Gap - BLOGS

http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2006/11/poverty-gap-is-achievement-gap.html

http://livinglearninginpoverty.blogspot.com/

·         School Reports on the Achievement Gap

http://www.sandi.net/Page/29662

·         Get up and Move

http://teachtrainlove.com/20-brain-break-clips-fight-the-fidgeting/

·         Vocabulary  Builders

http://www.myvocabulary.com/

http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordshop/marzanos-six-steps-to-effective-vocabulary-instruction/

·         Anger Management

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/praise-discipline/anger-management-children