10 Critical Issues Facing Education

Being in the education business means you need to stay on top of issues affecting your line of work. Since education affects all of us, especially our children, it's critical to stay "plugged in" to the state of education in our nation and in our state. Outlined here are 10 that we as educators and parents need to be aware of.

Source: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2014/01/10_critical_issues_facing_education.html

Top 10 Critical Education Issues

Critical issues are those issues that are important to education. They are the barriers that get in the way, or the important elements that we need to focus on in order to move forward and offer better opportunities to our students.

Common Core State Standards - 46 states may have adopted the standards but around a dozen states are backing out or considering backing out of using them. Regardless of how people feel about the Common Core they have led to many hot debates about education, and will continue to do so in 2014.

Student Learning - Student learning is everything from different pathways to graduation, encouraging student voice in student learning, and encouraging them have a place at the table for larger conversations about their education (Lisa Nielsen's Innovative Educator blog that focuses on student voice). So often we focus on teaching, but it's learning that matters most.

Technology - Even after all of these years technology is still a hot button issues. Some people love it and use it flawlessly every day, while others hate it and don't see why they need to be forced to use it at all. In addition what makes it complicated is that some schools seem to have endless resources, while other schools have to use what wealthier schools disregarded as old. Whether its MOOC's, iPads, gaming or BYOD, technology will still be a critical issue to discuss in 2014.

Social Media - Twitter has exploded over the past few years. More and more educators are joining and finding members to their Professional Learning Network (PLN). What's even better is that they are sharing resources to use in their classrooms, buildings and districts, and they are also using it to connect for professional development (i.e. Twitter chats, EdCamps, etc.). Social media will be, and should be, part of a huge discussion in 2015.

Politics - Politicians have long mentioned education in their speeches but the past two years it seemed to have happened more than ever. Many politicians seem to focus on how schools are failing, and their only solution is standardization, accountability and high stakes testing. Many governors, like Andrew Cuomo, are running for re-election this year and education will no doubt make or break their campaigns. How many politicians, like Cuomo and Christie, have spoken about teachers is deplorable and this is the year when teachers continue to take control over that conversation.

High Stakes Testing - Not sure if you have heard of this before but schools across the country have to give high stakes tests to students. Some start it in kindergarten, while others begin in 3rdgrade. In most states they are tied to teacher/administrator evaluation and that will no doubt continue to be a big debate this year. There need to be different methods used to assess student learning, and none of it should be "high stakes."

School Leadership - If you go on Twitter, you will find hundreds of school leaders who consider themselves "Lead Learners." This is very important because they see the important part they play in the lives of their students, teachers and staff. In addition, school leaders understand that they can have a positive or negative impact on their school climate, and too many still have a negative impact.

Pre-service Teaching Programs - How can we get the best teachers into our classrooms when so many politicians and policymakers cry that schools are failing? Under those circumstances, who would want to go into the profession? Additionally, pre-service programs need to improve because many of the graduates do not seem prepared for the profession. The real question for 2014 is how can K-12 schools work with these programs to build a community of learners who are prepared for the profession? A little less accountability tied to testing would go a long way to improve this issue.

School Climate - A few days ago Secretary Duncan and Attorney General Eric Holder announced new guidelines to stop the school to prison pipeline and improve school climate. This critical issue is not just about bullying, but about creating an inclusive school climate where all students can achieve their maximum potential.

Poverty - We know around 22% of our students are living in poverty. We also know that many children who live in poverty come to kindergarten hearing 1/8th of the language (vocabulary) that their wealthier peers experienced. Many of the schools that try to educate these students lack the proper resources, and the communities where children in poverty live often lack the same resources that wealthier towns have. Poverty is an issue that is one of the most critical issues of our time, in and out of schools.

In the End

We have many critical issues facing education this year, and the larger question should be...How are we going to work together to solve them? I stopped with ten but probably could have gone on with a few more. What would you add to the list?

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Senior Year Planning for the College-Bound Student

In reality, planning for college should start in earnest during the early junior year of high school, if not sooner. But, if you're like the rest of us and procrastination is second nature, it's not too late.....don't panic. This is a good rundown on what you should be doing and when.

source: http://www.athenalearningcenters.com/senior-year-planning-for-the-college-bound-student/

The first half of senior year is the last chance to put up a good score on one (or both) of the standardized tests.

Although some of the college admission process has already taken place, including a student’s first try at the SAT/ACT, senior year is really where the rubber meets the road. Going into this pivotal year with the right plan can make the difference in college placement or even whether a student moves on to post-secondary education at all.

Here are the things to focus on as the school year begins.

Extracurriculars

Although it’s too late to make a real impression with extracurriculars, even attempting a late effort is better than nothing. Students can join some groups that diverge from what they’ve taken part in before to show some versatility. At minimum, a student should be willing to stand up for leadership positions in their existing groups during senior year.

Planning the list

Now is the time to narrow down the list of potential colleges, organize the materials needed for those schools, and, if possible, sign up for tours. Focusing on a few schools now makes the process easier. Students can then start working on their essays and finding the right people for recommendation letters. If there is a clear first choice, early decisions periods start in September-October.

Essays

Once the choices have been narrowed down, so have the essay prompts. Starting drafts now offers many advantages:

• More free time during the summer to focus
• More time to revise
• More people can be brought in to help review

Testing

The first half of senior year is the last chance to put up a good score on one (or both) of the standardized tests. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a sub-standard performance has doomed your child to a lesser school. If you think they are capable of better, they should give it another try. Registration for those early testing dates begins in the summer. They should also make sure that any testing results are going to be sent to that newly-culled college list.

Financial aid

The financial aid process also starts earlier than many families think, especially if that support is coming from any government agency. Those sources and their processes need to be organized and started as soon as possible.
Senior year moves fast, so it’s prudent to use this last part of summer to make sure this final bit of college preparation time is used efficiently.

Is your child ready for that big step in their lives? One of the most critical things a university looks at is their SAT scores. Give Athena a call for a schedule of our free practice SAT and ACT exams or ask us about the schedule for our SAT exam prep classes. We are here to help!

Develop Lifelong Learners in One Step

There are a lot of cliche sayings and politically correct messages floating about the hallways in today's education world. But what do they really mean and is there any action behind them? What's the state of education in America today and where are we headed?

Well, the good news is there IS a movement going on. Quite a few higher academic types are looking at past history and the present situation of the failure of public education and deciding that we can't keep on doing what we're doing. We are letting the next generation down if we sit on our hind ends and not seriously look at the problem from a higher level. This is a good article about one such movement in what makes kids passionate about learning, enjoy!

source: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/leadership_360/2015/08/develop_lifelong_learners_in_one_step.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS3

Among the most common phrases being used in classrooms, hallways, and mission statements these days often focuses on this one:

Preparing Students To Be Lifelong Learners

How are schools preparing children to become lifelong learners? In the early years, teachers try to model a love of reading and writing. They try to bring that joy into the classroom with activities that will engage and motivate young learners. In the higher grades, motivation and engagement remain on teachers' minds and in their lesson plan efforts. Discussions between teachers and leaders include the subjects of motivation and engagement.

Often the attention is on the student. What do they need to become more engaged and motivated? What is preventing them from being more engaged and motivated? It is always a good thing to pay attention to what each individual child needs, their life situation and their learning and social emotional needs. Yet do we socialize students from the very beginning to be confident lifelong learners? We might not.

What Messages Are We Really Sending?

Report cards begin arriving usually before the first snow falls in the very first year of school. In many schools today, at least in the early years, report cards provide a narrative description of the students' learning behaviors, accomplishments, progress and concerns. But as the years go on, more evidence backing those comments are needed and expected. What has traditionally provided that evidence are grades. According to Cathy Vatterott in her book Rethinking Grading, there are three central beliefs about grading that have dominated the philosophy behind grading. They are:

· Good teachers give bad grades,

· Not everyone deserves an A and

· Grades motivate learners (p. 15-16).

The tide is shifting and fewer and fewer educators believe these ideals. Grades are often not an authentic reflection of learning. The way we currently use grades contributes to other problems in education. If changing grading practices could precipitate broader changes in teaching and learning, it's possible that our mediocre academic standing in the world could be greatly improved. Now is the time for change (p.18).

Likely more educators support the idea that changing the way we grade could change the achievement of our students. It is time to move from using grades to sort and rank, to something more expansive, noting progress along the way to a continuously moving horizon, and not to an annual destination. One certain factor will be grabbing the attention of the learners and recognizing them as effective learners from their very first day...and carrying it on throughout their school career.

This is neither something that requires a series of professional development sessions, nor even the reading of a book. It doesn't take much time. Each individual teacher can do it differently. It only requires a conversation between the leadership and the faculty...and that the leader continue to remind the faculty at meetings with feedback and discussion, through walk through conversations, and sometimes even with notes and memos as reminders. Consider this one step.

One of the stated concerns of 5 year olds as they enter the school building for the first time is that they are there because they know little and that they will be learning "Kindergarten." The adults, too, communicate this way of thinking as students grow through the grades. After completing Kindergarten, students are promoted to the first grade, after completing algebra, students are moved on to geometry, after completing 9th grade English they are moved on to 10th grade English and so on. In each move from one grade or subject to another, there is an implicit (and sometimes explicit) message that a student is beginning again. In the paradigm in which the teacher remains the "sage on the stage," it is a natural feeling for the learner to feel like the empty vessel waiting for the knowledge to be released to them in segments by the teacher. The design makes it so. But as the design for teaching and learning continues to shift in this century, by encouraging teachers to become "guides on the side," an opportunity for engagement and motivation arises.

At the beginning of the school year, and as each new skill or piece of information is learned, make it clear to the learner that what they already know makes them ready to add this to their developing knowledge, abilities, and independence as learners.

· For students who have developed metacognitive abilities, adding questions like, "What might you already know that will help you learn this new...?" way of writing, vocabulary word, way of thinking about numbers....

· For others not yet adept at their metacognitive skills, showing them what you know they already know in an illustration, either for the class or individually, will not only help them see they are prepared and have knowledge on which to build, but will also model the essential reflective skill of metacognition.

Change the Culture by Beginning With The Teacher

Modeling this for teachers is the first step in guaranteeing the practice becomes part of the sustained practice of the building and/or district. So much has changed for teachers...reading across the curriculum, data driven instruction, the type of communication that is held with parents, curriculum standards, even their evaluation system. Part of the frustration that has been experienced is the feeling of loss of known practice and a lack of understanding or familiarity with the new ones. Most new practices are not totally new. Finding first what we know and are certain of in new practices always provides a sound foundation for learning what is new. So for the leaders, modeling the practice that we want for the students is key.

None of this is extra work. In fact, we are certain that if it is practiced by leaders and teachers, engagement and motivation will rise in both arenas. Carol Dweck's work on Mindset, is central to this idea.

The way we think about things, either from a growth mindset or a fixed mindset, affects student motivation and achievement. What we are adding here is to think about the value of inviting the learner into our own growth mindset about their ability by:

· showing them the way as we reflect on what they know and are able to do...whether adult or student

· understanding that our confidence is based upon our belief in them, based upon what we know about them, and our ability to offer the path to fill the gaps, introduce new thinking, and lead them forward as learners

Having students becoming lifelong learners rests in our hands. It is not a demand or a wish. If we, as systems, continue to demonstrate to learners that they are learning because of what they already know AND what is familiar and what is new AND that we know and believe that they can and will master the learning because of what we are confident they already know and are able to do...motivation and engagement will follow. What follows is the confidence that each learner knows how to learn...and that can become a life-long confidence.

So did you enjoy the article? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. If you are in search of tutoring in College Station or Bryan, give us a call. We'd love to help!

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Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow

One of the favorite classes I took in school was called Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow. Sounds boring, I know but it really helps to explain the world around us when we understand things like "why is the suns rays hot?" "how do ceiling fans help me feel cooler and lower my electric bill?"

It really comes down to understanding the first law of thermodynamics in that energy cannot be created nor destroyed but only transformed from one form to another.

Also, understanding that heat is always moving to a colder area, and at different rates. For example, heat will transfer into your house faster if the walls are metal than if they are wood. It also depends on the thickness of the walls. Here is a great video showing how what we perceive in regards to how hot something feels is often not reality.



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HELP WITH HOMEWORK THE RIGHT WAY

Homework is a constant battleground between child and parent. of course every child is different but so is every parent and how they deal with their child getting homework accomplished. Stepping back and looking at the big picture is the first step in identifying better ways in interacting with our kids to grow them in this necessary area. We don't want to be labeled helicopter parents but we can't just take a hands off approach either. Here are some great tips from Athena Learning Center.

Read original article here: http://www.athenalearningcenters.com/help-with-homework-the-right-way/

Your involvement in homework shouldn’t be any more than setting them up with the right tools and letting them struggle on their own.

Perhaps the biggest educational struggle for a parent is helping your child with their homework in the

right way. You don’t want to help too much; they won’t learn anything. You don’t want to ignore it; that sets a bad example. Here’s how to walk the line.

Show Interest

The biggest thing a parent can do to affect their child’s educational success is to just participate. This includes homework. Simply asking about it and what their assignments are about is more than half the battle.

Set Them Up for Success

It’s a very rare child that knows how to organize themselves. Kids need help in learning how to keep

things organized and set up the right work environment.

First, eliminate distractions. If you let your child complete their homework in their room with the door closed, there is probably a lot more going on than just homework. Work goes much more efficiently in a common area.

Second, make homework part of a routine. It helps them remember their assignments and helps you keep track of what’s going on.

Facilitate the Process, Instead of Completing It

Your job is to “lead the horse to water”. Your involvement in homework shouldn’t be any more than setting them up with the right tools and letting them struggle on their own.

Before they start, ask if they understand what they are supposed to do. If they don’t, help them find

other materials that can help them, such as online tutorials. Consume them together as a demonstration of team building.

If they get frustrated in the middle of an assignment, offer a break and a talk—but never any advice about the specific work.

At the end, feel free to check their work over and even alert them to problems or tasks that might be wrong, but stop short of suggesting ways to make the answer better that go beyond any background information they would have received in class, in their textbook, or online.

Work Together with the Teacher

The homework process becomes much more effective if the parent and teacher work together as a team. After all, homework is just supposed to be practice. If the parent better understands what is involved in that practice, the child will be much more likely to complete it successfully.



Regular communication and the ability to ask the teacher for clarification can be valuable tools to help the parent and teacher work together effectively.

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What To Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied

Threatening isn’t bullying—it’s criminal behavior that is against the law in any situation.

This is becoming more and more prevalent in our schools due to overcrowding, parents not monitoring their child’s school life for one reason or another and the overall moral decline of our nation. This is a good list of what to watch out for and actions to take if you believe your child is the victim of bullying.

Source: http://www.athenalearningcenters.com/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-being-bullied

Schools and districts take bullying a lot more seriously now than when we were in class, but unfortunately that doesn’t mean it has gone away. What has happened is there are now some actionable steps that will get results. If you find out your child is being bullied at school, here are the steps you should take.

· Support your child

It takes a lot of courage for them to come to you. Support their feelings about the incident and never suggest they could have done more or they should “toughen up”.

· Get as many details as possible

Reporting a bullying incident requires specifics. Names, dates, times, locations, and what was said/done are all needed. If there were witnesses, get their information as well.

· If a threat was made, contact the police

Threatening isn’t bullying—it’s criminal behavior that is against the law in any situation.

· Research the school’s anti-bullying policy

It might have been bad behavior, but the incident might not fit the definition of bullying.

· Cyberbullying

If the bullying is occurring online, make sure cyberbullying is covered in the school’s policy. It might not be. If not, most states now have legislation regarding online bullying. If that’s the case, the police need to be notified.

· Contact school personnel

Severity and regularity dictate who you talk to. One time, minor offense? The teacher is probably fine. Anything more than that, make an appointment with the principal.

· Relay the information calmly

No matter how angry you might be, you’ll be much more likely to be able to work with the school if you come off as rational.

· Work together to come up with a plan
There should be specific steps that everyone involved need to accomplish after the meeting is concluded. Write these down and confirm after the meeting. Everyone, especially the school personnel, need to be held accountable.

· Follow up

A lot of parents don’t ask for updates from their child. Give it about a week and ask what has happened. Also, if you haven’t heard from the school, now is the time to make sure they are doing their part.

· If bullying continues, move up the chain of command

Most districts have administration-level personnel that are responsible for anti-bullying steps. If yours doesn’t, the superintendent is the next step. Copy the principal on all correspondence.


If the district is ineffective, file charges with the police and the school board.

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Tutoring and Learning Center for K-12th grade kids in math, reading, writing and science

3505 Longmire Drive
College Station Texas (TX) 77845
United States

(979) 314-9132
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 8pm

Dear Student: I Don't Expect You to Be Perfect

Have you ever wanted to write a letter to your child’s teacher and tell them how to help your child better or to just tell them off? Or maybe you have. Here is a great letter from an experienced, passionate educator to his students. This is an insightful look into a teachers response and thoughts how best to help his students help him. Very enlightening!


Source: http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/reaching-all-students/2015/09/dear_student.html


Every fall, I am struck by a profound sense of responsibility as parents drop their children off in my

classroom. Humbled by the mixture of faith and fear inherent in that moment, I meet moms and dads who hope that I will hold their children close, appreciate their unique traits, and help them inhabit their potential. Parents of unconventional learners have come to me with stories that have left them and their child in a state of academic PTSD. These parents count on me to invest in their children enough so that I can celebrate their abilities, understand their struggles, and, in some cases, help heal their childrens' school-based wounds.


However, even with the best intentions, I will occasionally move too fast, expect too much, miss a cue, drop a ball. I might even do all of those things with the same child (I really hope not). This is a hard truth to accept, particularly because I pride myself on being an educator who advocates for students with different learning profiles.


Over the past month, a trend has developed in social media. I refer to it as the "Dear Teacher Movement." Children with learning challenges, particularly dyslexia, have taken to the internet to

share letters they have written to their new teachers, communicating their hopes and dreams for the upcoming school year. In these poignant and frequently unsettling appeals, students wish to remind teachers they are trying (even when it may not look like that); that they are smart and capable (even if they struggle with certain skills); and that they have high aspirations for their own learning (which they hope their teachers will share). Implied in these letters are previous teacher failures that prompted students to share in this way.


Teaching is complex. We try hard to get it right, but sometimes we fail. Even with more than twenty-five years of teaching experience, I still have blindspots. I hope that my students know that I am not judging their potential by their spelling or speed, or confusing their school struggles with lack of effort. However, learning disabilities like dyslexia can make assessing a student's ability and effort more difficult. Often, I need my students' feedback to help me determine how to best meet their learning needs. This fall, inspired by the Dear Teacher letters, I decided to write a different kind of letter to my students at the launch of the school year.


Dear Student,
I am honored and thrilled to be your 5th grade teacher this year. I take my job very seriously, but despite my great effort and my good intentions, I sometimes fumble. Here are a few things that you should know.

1. I was not a perfect student and I don't expect you to be.

2. We all learn differently. This year I hope you will help me understand how you learn best.

3. Spelling well and reading fast make learning easier, but they have nothing to do with intelligence. I will help you become better spellers and readers, but intelligence is much more complex. Some of the best thinkers struggled with school skills. Please don't get discouraged if some skills are hard for you. It does not mean that you are stupid (at all). This year we will try to identify some strategies to make school work less frustrating.

4. Tell me if you are struggling. Effort can often be invisible. I wish I had a crystal ball, but I don't. Let me know if I assign something that feels overwhelming. That way, we can create effective supports or craft a workaround plan together.

5. Sometimes I go too fast. I get too excited or ambitious or impatient. When I do, remind me to slow down. Everyone in the class will appreciate it, including me.

6. I look forward to finding out what gets you up in the morning (besides your alarm). What are your dreams inside and outside of school? Let's try to connect them. That is where you will find the joy in learning.

Finally, sometimes school may not be easy, but it should never be miserable. Please don't suffer in silence.

Sincerely,

Kyle Redford


After reading this, how would you write to your child's teacher now? Any differences? Here at Athena, we know that children have different learning skills and vastly different learning styles. We do in depth analysis' to see exactly where they are at so we can help them the best. We come alongside your child's teachers to supplement and help them with what they are already learning. Our tutors ARE teachers and have experience in the struggles that all teachers (and students) face. Give us a call today and see how we can best help your child.

Athena Learning Center of College Station

Tutoring and Learning Center for K-12th grade kids in math, reading, writing and science

3505 Longmire Drive
College Station Texas (TX) 77845
United States

(979) 314-9132
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 8pm

Parental Involvement Important for School Success

Continuing on with our subject of parents getting involved with their child's school, this is a timely article by our friends at Mom's Everyday. Being engaged with our children and their school life can have a huge impact in their learning, growing and just every aspect of their lives. It really is that important! Get involved.

source: http://www.momseveryday.com/national/justformoms/headlines/?article=322860101





We spend a lot of time getting our kids prepared for a successful experience in school. We send them to preschool, help with homework and sign them up for enriching experiences.

But there's one thing that not all parents do that can be just as important: getting involved in your child's school.

Research shows that communicating with teachers, being involved in the school work, volunteering and just being present at the school as much as you can is important to your child's success.


Parental involvement is also associated with fewer problem behaviors and better social skills

compared to children whose parents are not involved.

Here's some advice on how to get involved:

First, initiate contact with your child's teacher early in the year. If you pick your child up from school, make it a point to touch base with the teacher occasionally. But don't try to have a meeting in the parking lot.

Ask if there are opportunities to volunteer in the classroom or at school events, and attend those school events whenever possible.

Maintain a consistent homework routine. Check in with your child daily regarding school work and be available to help with homework.

It can be difficult to make homework a priority with busy schedules and sports, but it shouldn't be the last thing you try to cram in at the end of the day.

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Athena Learning Center of College Station

Tutoring and Learning Center for K-12th grade kids in math, reading, writing and science

3505 Longmire Drive
College Station Texas (TX) 77845
United States

(979) 314-9132
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 8pm

CHECKLIST: Parent"s Goals For Back To School Night

This is another great way to interact with your children and show them that you are involved and care about them....and keeping an eye on them! ;) Read on for tips to keep in mind for this important event.

source: http://www.athenalearningcenters.com/checklist-parents-goals-for-back-to-school-night/

Back to School Night really is a great event to get everyone on the same page and help start the school year off right.

The start of the school year is sneaking up on us. Before you know it, Back to School Night will be popping up on our calendars. Here is a checklist to make sure you meet all of your goals for the event while not overstepping.

· Bring your child

Students spend more of their time in school than they do with you. Bringing them to BTS gives them an opportunity to show off their “other world”. Besides, it’s entertaining to watch them act shy in front of you and their friends.

· Collect information about the PTA/PTO and upcoming events

Yes, you’re on the email list and the Facebook group. It doesn’t hurt to take some hard copies

of any relevant information, especially about upcoming events. Put them up on the refrigerator.

· Introduce yourself to the principal

You may never see the principal but for Back to School, but it can’t hurt to show you are engaged with the school community. You never know when you’ll need to call him or her for something important.

· Learn about this year’s curriculum

Curricula has changed a lot in the past few years, not to mention since we were in school. Take time to flip through the textbooks (if they’re still being used) and ask the teacher(s) content-based questions.

· Ask about technology

Also ask about any technology needs your child might have for the class. There might be special apps to download or websites they might need to join.

· Do not discuss your child in specifics

Introduce yourself nicely so the teacher(s) can put a face to the name, but don’t take up the time of the other parents by trying to talk about your child in specifics. If you want to talk specifically about your child, send an email or schedule a conference.

· Make sure to ask when conferences will be held (or how to schedule one)


Speaking of which, some schools have designated times of the year for mandatory

conferences. Others rely on the parents to make appointments. Make sure you know how to take advantage of your first opportunity to talk “business” with your child’s teacher(s).







Back to School Night really is a great event to get everyone on the same page and help start the school year off right. Afterwards, everyone should be working toward the common goal of student success.

Athena Learning Center of College Station

Tutoring and Learning Center for K-12th grade kids in math, reading, writing and science

3505 Longmire Drive
College Station Texas (TX) 77845
United States

(979) 314-9132
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 8pm

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3 Disturbing Trends Made Prevalent by Technology

The web is loaded with landmines for our children and it’s up to us as parents to, not only steer our kids around them, but to make them aware of the dangers out there. Here’s 3 to watch out for.

Source:http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/education_futures/2015/09/3_disturbing_trends_made_prevalent_by_technology.html

The Information Era has dramatically changed the way we educate our children. We live in a world of rapid change and the resemblance to yesterday is fleeting. Above all, communication has changed, and an enormous variety of information is now accessible to almost everyone at the click of a mouse or swipe of a finger.

From the accessibility of online learning to students who otherwise would struggle in traditional settings to assistive technology for students with autism, there are lots of great technologies that teachers need to keep track of to be effective.

However, it is not just important to know which technologies will assist in the education of students, but to watch out for certain disturbing trends that have arisen as a result of the availability of these new technologies. Here are just three of those trends:

1. Texting and awful grammar in K-12 schools. 

 Internet and cell phone cultures have brought a whole new meaning to American slang. Not only are kids these days speaking informally, but now those relaxed rules of grammar are sneaking into written words too.

The biggest problem with these digital avenues of composition, according to surveyed teachers, is the blurring of lines between formal and informal writing. Abbreviations are common, particularly on platforms like Twitter that have a 140-character limit. Most smartphones now have no limits on texting characters, but students that owned phones with the 160-character limits of just a few years ago have already formed short, abbreviated habits. In the digital realm, short and sweet is the key - even if grammar, punctuation and writing formalities fall by the wayside. The same is not true of educational writing pursuits though, as K-12 writing instructors must prepare students for the demands of strong, professional writing in college and the workplace.

A report released by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills found that over 26 percent of college graduates have deficient writing skills. These findings were not based on graduation assessment exams, but compiled by interviewing actual employers. These employers said that many college-educated employees could not even accomplish the basic writing tasks of the job proficiently. How are these students earning college degrees if their writing is not up to par though? With the average U.S. student accruing $35,200 in college debt, it would seem learning the basics of writing, at least above a "deficient" level, would be a given takeaway.

2. Sexting and sexual harassment.

 Today, sexual harassment between students is even more widespread because of the viral nature of

the internet and sexting. A photo that a young man sends his latest crush can quickly become fodder for a school-wide joke when it appears on a social media account or is texted to a large group of other students. It is also much harder for students to get away from harassment because their school lives follow them more closely than ever outside classroom hours, due to technology. It is also difficult to know where a school's jurisdiction ends when it comes to harassment between students that takes place outside of school hours.

The problem of sexual harassment in schools is persistent.  Schools can act more responsibly on the issue by formulating proper and specific sexual harassment policies and providing special training programs for teachers, students and other administrative staff.  Seeking the support of parents is also beneficial. The challenges around implementing sexual harassment policies are made even more difficult because students shy away from reporting incidents, for fear of suffering additional consequences or being ridiculed.  The solution is to create a safe environment in the school so that such instances of harassments simply do not take place and the students feel secure, although this is often easier said than done.

3. Cyber bullying.

 VoicED.org.uk, a poll of 2000 11-16 year olds found that almost three in five (57%) have done something 'risky' or anti-social while online. In addition, almost two in three (62%) said that they felt under pressure from peers to act in this way on the internet.

According to an article published on

The activities described included saying negative things about other people, viewing unsuitable websites and, perhaps most worryingly, sharing unsuitable videos or pictures of themselves. Moreover, a fifth of those surveyed admitted to having pressured someone else to act in a negative way online (this rose to 32% in London).

Of the 2000 respondents, almost half (47%) said that they had viewed something on the internet that they did not think their parents would want them to view, whilst around one in seven (14%) said they had sent images of either themselves, or of someone else, that they did not think their parents would want them to send.

A tenth had signed up to online sites or services which were not meant to be viewed by their age group.

In terms of cyber-bullying, almost three quarters (72%) of respondents aged 14-16 had witnessed

some form of online bullying, or had been subjected to it. While this is a bleak statistic, there are positive signs. Three quarters had blocked another user of an app or on a website, two thirds (68%) had supported someone else who had suffered cyber-bullying and 74% had 'stood up for themselves.'

Classrooms are becoming more high-tech, and a lot of innovation has come from that. However, it is important to keep in mind how these new technologies influence disruptive behaviors.

Athena Learning Center of College Station

Tutoring and Learning Center for K-12th grade kids in math, reading, writing and science

3505 Longmire Drive
College Station Texas (TX) 77845
United States

(979) 314-9132
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 8pm