A sluggish economy, dipping mortgages, dropping property values and a forest of
foreclosures have affected education boards across the state of Georgia, forcing
many to tighten their belts and buckle up for another year. Slashed funding
because of state-wide austerity cuts have also encouraged administrators to zip
their purses and juggle with yet another set of depressing numbers in efforts to
close multi-million-dollar gaps and balance budget deficits.
Despite
lowering all employees’ salaries, Superintendent Fred Sanderson, Cobb County
Board of Education, described the current budget cycle (on the Cobb County
School District’s website) as the “worst I’ve seen in my 35 years as an
educator.” Not only did the board cut teaching positions and reduce the school
year by five days, amongst many other cuts, but waived all restrictions on class
size to help schools contend with the economic crisis. In addition, Fulton
County reorganized school staffing and eliminated the band and orchestra
programs in elementary schools.
The pain of empty pockets is being felt
by decision makers and bearers as both come to terms with a no-win situation.
Perhaps that explains why angry parents hired a consultant to draw up an
alternative budget in an attempt to prove to Fulton County board members that
band and orchestra can still be taught along with the three R’s (Reading,
Writing and Arithmetic).
Was it helpful? Perhaps not, considering the
Fulton County Board still adopted their proposed budget on June 8, with their
plan to save $ 4million by eliminating the two programs. Helpless is probably
what a lot of parents continue to feel while questioning the level of education
their children will now end up with.
For those who want their kids to
continue with band and orchestra the options are private classes or after-school
programs, funded by your own pocket, in this dismal economy. One angry parent
expressed his concern at the loss of these music programs to 11Alive News,
observing that the cut would deprive the children not just of music but affect
their education across the board and the way they learn.
For some
Indian parents, grades are the sole determinant of their children’s academic
achievements for the year. The loss of band and orchestra programs might not
have affected them, but music clearly matters to many others like Shukti Basu, a
Montessori teacher and mother to 10-year-old Saurav, a budding violinist who
attends a Fulton County school. Basu describes the integration of music in the
curriculum as “a very important part of a well-rounded education” and a much
needed break in the monotonous school routine. “Music sharpens the mind. It
helps concentration, focus and the learning of new skills.” According to Saurav,
who also takes private piano lessons, learning the violin simultaneously
encouraged his piano-playing abilities.
With larger classroom
sizes, fewer teachers, restructured education programs and a whole host of
changes and losses how can we, as parents, help our kids tide over these tough
measures?
Susan Cox, an elementary school teacher, explains that in
these hard economic times, homework, irrespective of class sizes or loss of
teachers, is an educational tool parents can still use to help promote their
children’s learning. She describes homework as a form of learning that is still
within the parents’ sphere. “Homework gives students a chance to apply what they
learn at school, to see how much they’ve understood and to reinforce the day’s
learning.” Homework encourages students to complete assignments at their own
pace without the pressure of peer competition, she observes.
“As parents
you can help by understanding your child’s learning style and adopting a
suitable learning environment at home.” Some practices go a long way in helping
your kids become more academically independent and confident of their abilities
despite today’s pressures. We’re all familiar with a separate study corner in
the house where distractions are at a minimum so that kids can work undisturbed
and focus on the assigned task until it’s done.
But how can you
ascertain your kids are sitting on those seats if you’re not there to keep an
eye on them? “Sit down with your child and work out a timetable he can follow at
home,” says Cox. “This is important especially if you’re working and won’t
return home until dinnertime.” According to her, a timetable the two of you can
agree on is a big motivating factor and this nurtures time management skills.
Dr. Sylvia Rimm, author of the book Why Bright Kids Get Poor Grades,
says short regular breaks of about five minutes taken between 30-45 minutes of
study give a child’s concentration a much needed break. She adds that an
effective way of empowering kids with their own learning begins with you, the
parent, at home.
She discourages hovering over them like a satellite and
says doing so only decreases their ability to focus. Dr. Rimm also suggests
resisting the temptation to correct your kid’s homework unless you are ready to
spend the next half an hour explaining why he/she got it wrong to begin with.
“Giving a student the correct answer without an explanation is a bad
idea,” says Cox, pointing out that it hampers the child’s self-motivation. “It
simply teaches him that mum or dad is always around with the answers.” She says
parents should take the upper hand in behaving more like a guide and suggests
“giving kids a general idea of related topics, providing information where
necessary and letting them discover answers for themselves.”
Avoid
dropping in their study corner to check if their homework is done, suggests Cox.
Instead, leave the responsibility on your child’s shoulders to come and show you
the completed work.
Basu has still not made up her mind whether to send
Saurav for after-school or private violin lessons; either way she now has to
pay. “It all depends on how important you consider music is in your life,” she
says. For the Basus music clearly brings harmony, and Shukti is confident that
despite the upsetting decision made by the Fulton County Board she will find a
solution for Saurav in time.
“Kids need your encouragement,”
says Cox. “They need to know their parents believe in them and recognize their
efforts. “However,” she adds, “they need to attempt challenges and do it for
themselves.”
[Anju Gattani is a qualified London Montessori teacher,
freelance journalist and web consultant. She is also the author of Winds of
Fire, a women’s fiction series titled that is currently being marketed.]
Sidebar:
Learning Styles
We all have different learning
styles. Understanding your child’s style will help you to help him study better.
Auditory learners speak their thoughts. To completely understand a
lesson, they have to read it out loud.
Visual learners learn through
pictures. They lose concentration quickly. You can help by teaching them to
focus their imagination while listening.
Kinesthetic learners are
restless. Try to design a study routine that allows for activity to release
pent-up energy.
Global learners only grasp the overall situation,
assuming the details will fall in place later. A good way to pin down a child’s
attention is to keep reminding him of the little details he may have missed out.
Analytical learners break down information into digestible smaller
facts, but can only consider the bigger picture once all the small details are
understood. Help him use his imagination to think about the big picture, before
the details come in.