Three current issues in education

1. Three Current Issues in
Education
•Health and Wellness: The effects of environment, community, family, wealth, and
physical health on a student’s ability to learn.
•Literacy: Improving literacy for English Language Learners and Special Education
Students.
•Lack of Play/Creativity: Play time and recess time reductions and elimination of
classes in the arts.
1. Health and wellness are critical factors affecting the success of our schools
and students. The ability to ensure a students, physical and mental health while
also helping to keep them safe and nourished are the basic foundation to
allowing the process of education to be successful.
More schools are addressing this issue by creating schools with resources for
the whole family. Schools are being created with support systems for the student
and families mental health needs as well as physical health needs. Schools are
also recognizing the need to educate parents and encourage participation in
their child’s goals in a way that is accessible within the school.
LaRocco , Taylor, and D’Annolfo (2014) found some school communities educating
teachers about mindfulness to improve the overall environment within the
school. These community based approaches to the health and wellness of the
child, family and teachers allow for multiple forms of collaboration and
intervention with all those involved.

2. 2.
Literacy has always been a major focus and priority in education, but the nature of how it is
being addressed and the population of students who are involved has evolved dramatically
from just a few decades ago. The quantity of English Language Learners (ELLs) has greatly
increased and many students who may have formally been diagnosed as learning disabled in
literacy are now being taught using RTI and other evidenced based instruction without the need
for an IEP.
The wisdom of formal literacy and reading teachers along with ELL teachers and
special education and resource teachers are all needed in the general education classroom to
make literacy a success. Finding a way to integrate the different styles and levels of literacy in
the classroom in an efficient way is an art form that requires structure flexibility and most of all
collaboration. The willingness to understand and incorporate the culture of ELLs into the
classroom requires another form of collaboration with the community and families of students.
3.
Play and the creative arts are an essential part of the cognitive and developmental growth to
children and teens. Many students who struggle in traditional academics may find their greatest
success in sports or the arts. These subjects along with carefree physical movement and “play”
develop a balanced body and mind. To ensure the continuation of these opportunities in
schools teacher may need to incorporate the arts, music and even movement like yoga or
simple exercises into their regular academics.
References:
LaRocco, D. J., Taylor, B. A., & D'Annolfo, S. C. (2014). Urban Community Schools: Educator
Perceptions of the Effects of Children’s Health and Wellness on Learning. Current Issues in
Education, 17(1). Retrieved from http://cie.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/cieatasu/article/view/1319