Minority Students and School Discipline

A study was recently released by the RAND Corporation regarding school discipline.

The findings provided evidence that minority students, particularly African- American students, were more likely to be suspended or expelled from school than their white classmates. The rates were also higher for Latino students. The survey, using thousands of students, was conducted in public high schools in California. The finding also indicted that there was a high correlation between marijuana use and discipline issues in the classroom.

This study may not be news to many teachers and administrators but it does point to the need for a major paradigm shift in the way schools discipline their students.

That translates into re-examining the way discipline is explained and taught in our colleges of education and the philosophies school districts employ in their schools.

One other issue that came up in the research was the number of students who skip their homework and commensurate discipline issues.

For more information go to the site www.rand.org/t/ep66654

C.2017 J. Margolis

Bo Knows Sports Injuries

In a recent interview with USA Today, Bo Jackson, an All-Star in both football and baseball, revealed that if he knew about the consequences of football injuries, particularly head injuries, he never would have played the sport. This, coming from a man who won the Heisman Trophy and has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Sports enthusiasts can only imagine what kind of career he could have had if he just stuck to baseball.

There are lessons to be learned here for high school athletes and the coaches who drive them to win at any cost. Recent protocols enacted by the National Football League regarding concussions, should give pause to those in high school and college sports. Parents too, need to become informed and stay focused on the issues and the consequences of sports injuries. Last week, I had an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to treat a non- sports related injury. As I sat in the waiting room, I observed a continual parade of high school students (and their parents) coming for treatment for sports injuries. I know that participation in sports is a great outlet for aggressive behavior and to channel excess energy. I am also aware of the need and desire for high school athletes to obtain college scholarships. (“Signing Day” is a big deal here in Florida) But we need to approach this issue with our eyes wide open.

Bo Jackson knows. And so should you!

c.2017 J. Margolis

Teaching about the Inauguration

On January 20^th, 2017, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45^th President of the United States. This date represents historic events on many levels. Classroom teachers should be gathering resources to take advantage of this teachable moment.

There are a number of web sites to check out that can provide suggestions for classroom activities to commemorate this event. Perhaps you will be able to watch the Inauguration in class with your students so they can obtain an even greater sense of the importance of the moment.

Here are some web sites to check out.

Educationworld.com- Here you will find information about the President taking the oath of office and information about the parade and the Inaugural Balls.

Another site is nea.org- the official site of the National Education association. This site has curriculum suggestions as well as printable worksheets for grades 3-8.

You may also want to check Kids.usa.gov. which is a student friendly site that your students can access on their own.

There is one other site to investigate- presidential-Inauguration .com

Finally. Whitehouse.gov. Presently has information about the Obama presidency and the family getting ready to leave the White House. I expect that after the Inauguration, the site focus will change to the Trump presidency.

PS- Tell your students about “ Hail to the Chief

c.2017 J. Margolis