School Too Easy

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  School
Too Easy		 Robert Seith | CWK Network
 
 
“ I just think
it’s spoon fed too much it’s not as much like they
say it is in college where the professors give you the work you
either do it or you don’t. I think in high school they still
spoon feed you and like baby sit you to make sure you do what you’re
supposed to do in order to pass.”

–

High School Student Alex Thorston,
  Related Information What Parents Need To Know Resources

Last school year,
Sara and her friend Erin had plenty of time to talk on the phone… and…goof
off.

“I could just come home after school and not do my homework,” says
Sara, 16.

“We just sort of slacked off and got by with it,” adds
Erin, 16.

In fact, according to a new survey by the National Governors
Association… almost two-thirds of students say they would
work harder if challenged, but that school is uninteresting… and
easy.

“I think most of high school in general is easy,” says
17-year-old Alex Thorston.

Experts say it can cause two problems…

First, a child who feels that half an effort is enough may never
reach their full potential.

“Not reaching for the stars so to speak, academically,
intellectually,” says Educational Psychologist Carol Drummond,
Ph.D.

Secondly, she says, easy A’s and B’s means extra
free time… an opportunity to get into trouble.

“Like you don’t really have to study or anything
so like on weekends you can just go out and do whatever you want,” says
16-year-old Lauren, a high school Junior.

“And maybe get in with the wrong crowd, do something stupid,” agrees
Erin.

Experts say kids may not complain that school is too easy… so
parents have to dig.

“I think asking kids about their day,” says Dr. Drummond, “Seeing
how much enthusiasm they have for school. And being very aware
of what novels kids are reading in English and attend parent-teacher
visitation days and things like that.”

She says parents may need to help their kids find a challenge… an
after school book club or science club, for example.

Erin says what prompted her to work harder was taking an a-p
class. “You start like really cracking down on your homework… and
like trying to do well on your homework, not just trying like to
complete it so you get the grade.”

By Larry Eldridge
CWK Network, Inc.

Kids list a variety of reasons for not wanting to go to school – rather
be playing video games or sports, rather be sleeping, etc. – but now
they’re saying it for a different reason. Many students are saying that
school is too easy and that it does nothing to prepare them for the future.
Consider the following findings from two recent surveys of 11,000 students
performed by the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Horatio Alger
Association of Distinguished Americans (HAADA) :

  • The majority (65 percent in NGA; 88 in HAADA ) of the students
    said they would work harder if more was expected of them
  • Only 31 percent of students felt they were significantly challenged
    at school ( HAADA )
  • Nearly two-thirds of students said their schools did a less
    than adequate job of holding their attention (NGA)
  • Ninety-two percent of students said they wanted more real-life
    experience in their curriculum (HAADA)
  • Most students said they wished they had more guidance from teachers
    and counselors with regards to their futures (HAADA)
  • Half of the high school seniors surveyed said their senior year
    was a “waste of time” or could be “much more
    meaningful” (NGA)
  • Over a third said their classes didn’t prepare them for
    college
 
By Larry Eldridge
CWK Network, Inc.

While school may not be as stimulating for some students
as for others, there are ways parents everywhere can help their children become
more interested in learning. According to the University of Illinois Extension,
parents can play a major role in providing the encouragement, environment and
materials needed for studying to take place.

Some things parents can do include the following:

  • Establish a routine for meals, bedtime and study.
  • Provide books, supplies and a special place for studying.
  • Encourage children to “ready” themselves for studying
    (refocus attention and relax).
  • Offer to study with children periodically (call out spelling words
    or do flash cards).

An established study routine is “very important,” especially
for younger school-age children. Children who have a broad foundation
of knowledge on a variety of subjects tend to find school and learning
easier and more interesting than those who do not. Here are a few suggestions
from the University of Illinois for activities to enjoy with your children:

  • Watch news and documentaries on television.
  • Rent or buy educational videos.
  • Visit natural history museums, science museums, art museums, children’s
    museums, zoos, botanical gardens and historical sites.
  • Experience national or state parks and forests by signing up for
    a tour.
  • Read articles in the newspaper and magazines together.
  • Go to the public library.
  • Make vacations learning experiences.

Remember, as a parent, you are the most important teacher in your
children’s life.

 
National Governors
Association
Horatio Alger Association
of Distinguished Americans
University of Illinois Extension