- What are some core issues that may cause a student to be unavailable to learn?
- After reading each of the three models for collaboration, explain why the models are effective.
Thank you for completing the fall book study! I hope you were able to gain something from this book and the discussions generated that can help us to better serve our students and communities. Have a great Christmas break! :-)
Some of the core issues that may cause a student to be unavailable to learn, are their basic needs of food, shelter and clothing not being met, not having emotional support and love, and abuse, physical, sexual, or emotional. The student can also have mental and/or physical issues that make learning difficult.
ReplyDeleteThe three models for collaboration are, "Collaboration for Kids", "Partnership Between Move the Mountain Leadership Center and aha! Process for the Circle Campaign", and Menominee Indian School/ Community Project". I think these models work because they are not just putting a band-aide on the problem. The community, school and families are all working together to help the child. They are providing training for all of the above and they have the goal of helping solve the root problem, such as helping parents with jobs, and training on how to handle money... instead of just giving material things and money to the family. They give the families support and help to grow as a family to meet the child's needs without doing it in a condescending way. They let the parents know they are all a team, working to help the child.
This book has definitely been a good read and helped us all to gain more insight. It gives great examples throughout, especially in this last chapter with the 3 models of collaboration.
DeleteI agree that these models have been shown to work because they don't take a "band-aide" approach but actually working to solve the root of the problem through training and support.
DeleteI agree that "fixing" a problem for someone does not help in the long run. However these models empower parents, teachers, and the community to solve problems through training and support.
DeleteHolly I completely agree that these models don't just "put a band-aid" on the problem. That is such a perfect way to put it. As you said they find the root of the problem and start there. It is important to remember that there is always a "root" to the problems our students are facing! As a team we can work together to help fix the problem.
DeleteThere are several core issues that can cause a child to be unavailable to learning. Some of those issues being physical, mental and emotional challenges. Others being financial issues where they are not having their basic food and clothing needs provided or met.
ReplyDeleteThe 3 models for collaboration work because they focus on working with the community (both families and school personnel). They help to provide frameworks, learning structures and assistance to overcome obstacles that hinder families. They specifically focus on providing long term solutions by offering training that helps with those who are struggling with poverty. By doing this it helps the students in those families get a chance to have their basic needs met which helps improve their availability to learn.
I think so many of our students our battling with things that make them unavailable to learning just like we read about in this book. I think we do a lot to help our students but we need to continue to find more ways to support the families at the roots of the problems.
DeleteI loved that these approaches did actually try and "teach a man to fish" instead of just giving him a fish. So many people out there are just doing the best they can with what they have. If people are given better resources, isn't it safe to say that generally they will do better?
DeleteChapter One of our book outlined the resources that students need to help be successful in school, those very same resources when missing can cause a student to be unavailable to learn.
ReplyDeleteThe 3 Models for Collaboration have shown to be effective because they all have a team approach to working with these families in need. Each model has an extensive support system comprised of the school and community. They are very systematic with end goals set in place. These are not handout programs, they are models set up to help educate on how to make life changes in those families.
I loved reading about the structure of their programs. I think we do so many things as a school and community to help our kids, but I think it would be a great goal in the future to work towards providing more support systems for our students' families.
DeleteI like that there is a goal set up front and that a whole team of people are working towards the same goal.
DeleteI liked how the the third model the menominee Indian school project included open training seminars for the public and community organizations. Training everyone in the systems they use when working with students. The school district and community leaders have a common goal with set outcomes, resources and training to help the students.
DeleteThere are many reasons that a child could be unavailable to learning. Some of the reasons could be physical, mental, social, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe Models for Collaboration are effective because a team works with the family to help them to meet the needs of the child. One person cannot make all of the changes needed to help a child to be available to learning, but it takes a whole group of people working together and showing the student that they are important and that people care about them and want to help them. There are specific goals set and a framework is followed to help meet the goals that are set.
The saying "it takes a village to raise a child" rings true and especially for the models of collaboration. As you said and I'll reiterate that it is crucial to show students that they are cared for, important and that we want to see them succeed.
DeleteI agree the models are effective due to the team approach with set goals and a framework. Christie's statement of "it takes a village to raise a child" is so true.
DeleteAs we sometimes hear "It takes a VILLAGE to raise a child." When we partner with struggling families we create a "Village" kind of impact and that is totally awesome!!
DeleteAs we all know it is difficult to learn if you are worried about where your next meal will come from, where/if you will be sleeping that night, if you and your loved ones will be safe when you get "home," and the list goes on.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading about the three different models represented in chapter 8, it is clear that they all run on collaboration of school, home, and community. When collaboration is supported by all the stakeholders, the best is being done for student success. We live in a systemic society where nothing lives or works in isolation. If one part of the student's system is thrown off, other parts of the system are affected as well. Since this is the case, all of the different systems of a student's life should be working together in order to provide the best, most functional environment for learning.
Yes! Certain students come to mind when it comes to worrying about if someone will be okay when they get home and those students spend their day "not here" due to this.
DeleteShauna you do a great job as our counselor identifying families in need and then connecting them with the resources they need. Great job!!
DeleteA need or a support system that I see needing addressed in our community is "grandparent support". I am amazed at the number of grandparents raising our kiddos.
DeleteWhen a child's basic needs or Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs aren't met then a child is unavailable to learn. We all need to feel safe warm, healthy, loved, clean, and have a full tummy in order to be at our optimum level of functioning daily. We try as a school through breakfast/ lunch programs, backpack food program, Miles for Smiles etc. to help the children in our district with deficiencies in these areas. We try, but it isn't a replacement for the kiddos getting their needs met at home.
ReplyDeleteThe Models for Collaboration work because it sets in motion an environment of working as a team with families that need help. Working all together for the common good of a child or children allows for maximum success!! If all the pieces of a child's life aren't working independently then a collaboration model can help bridge the gaps that are necessary for a child to be/fell successful in life/ school.
Maslow was really on to something, wasn't he? The most amazing thing I've seen working with kids is after an intervention is put in place that works/is followed through with, the child is actually available for learning. For example, a kid isn't sleeping and is utterly defiant at school and home, but once he starts getting the rest he needs he is the most agreeable, polite child ever. It seems so simple, but unless you have home on board and in agreement, a simple solution like that can't really be fixed.
DeleteSome core issues that may cause a student to be unavailable to learn include: basic needs such as food and shelter not being met, lack of sleep, trauma within the family, attachment, abuse, and love. Think about when we as adults are stressed by any of the above reasons what our mind is focused on - survival and/or how to remedy the problem.
DeleteThe Collaboration for Kids is successful because the parent is on the "team" and is guided towards appropriate resources by other professional team members for help that they need or create an action plan. I think this is very powerful because it includes the parent on the team and empowers the parent.
The Circles Support model is successful because it simply does not "fix" parental problems, but helps them find solutions. It also has a common vision with community leaders, financial institutions, and other community leaders.
The Menominee Indian School/Community Project has been successful because of a common goal, community involvement, training, and frequent meetings.
I think it is great to get parents involved in the progress! It is a much better concept than school separated from home life.
DeleteI love how you connected Maslow's Hierarchy of needs to the needs of the unavailable learner. I was thinking about Maslow as well, while reading about the unavailable learner in the chapter. My mind automatically went to how are these students supposed to be able to learn when their basic needs are not being met. Of course they will have difficulty time in learning, when their poor hearts and minds are on other things at home.
DeleteChildren, just like adults, have many different things going on in their lives. School is just one of these things. When something is not right at home, it can cause a huge issue for students and cause them to be unavailable to learn. Some of these issues that may cause a student to be unavailable to learn are things like their basic needs not being met at home, different types of abuse taking place, or even mental or physical issues they may have. When a child is dealing with any of these issues, it would be extremely hard for them to focus on learning.
ReplyDeleteThe models are effective because they are going beyond just helping the child learn inside of the classroom. These models dig deeper and find the root of the problem which is causing the student to have learning issues in the first place. We can differentiate our instruction until we cannot differentiate it anymore, but, if we aren’t fixing the deeper issues, it will not ever make a difference. The models help fix the deeper problems and put plans in place to help meet our students’ basic needs and help support the families that need it.
I like that your compared children to adults. We would be more tolerate if we remember what it feels like when something major is happening in our own lives. It kind of takes over our brains!
Delete1. Anything that is happening in their world that affects them. Last year when we had the in-service at the ranch the speaker brought out that instead of asking “What is wrong with you” they changed their thinking to asking “What has happened to you”. We don’t always know what our kids are facing when they leave our halls.
ReplyDelete2. Multiple supports. It doesn’t fall on one set of shoulders. It's not one person trying to fix another person. Instead it is a team helping each other to help a family.
I love the thought, "What has happened to you?" It is so easy to forget that our students may be facing some hard battles behind closed doors. It's so important to look for reasons why they may be acting out instead of just assuming "they're a bad student."
DeleteI always try to get to know students'back story so I can empathize. It is a tough line to walk though, because we have to make sure we don't lower our standards. Otherwise students can victimize themselves and pass the responsibility off on others.
DeleteAs Regina stated earlier, Maslow's Hierarchy explains exactly why a student can have the inability to learn at times. The books identifies the students as unavailable learners. Students who don't have their basic needs met, will not have to ability to focus on learning at school. Children who lack emotional support, or who have been affected by abuse or neglect, will have a far more difficult time cultivating relationships in school, with school mentors such as teachers and/or their peers.
ReplyDeleteThe first step in helping the unavailable learners is to identify the students needs and build a support systems for these students. The book names one model in helping unavailable learners as a collaboration for kids. This model shows a team, a teams action and the outcome. The second model mentioned in the book was Circles Campaign, an organization whose focus is helping families get out of poverty. The goal in the book was for the imitative to have 1000 low income families get out of poverty and become allies in their communities to help others get out of poverty. The third and final model mentioned is the Menominee Indian School Community Project. This model focuses also on getting the community leaders involved in on a training program known as getting ahead. The school district along with community leaders have created a successful program by seeing a decrease in discipline referrals, growth in reading, improved AYPs and many more.
Wouldn't it be great if all schools had the resources to help our communities more. It would also be nice for this to be reciprocated. Community involvement in schools makes school and community richer in support and more successful.
DeleteI agree with your reasoning as to why a student becomes unavailable to learning. As I read the chapter Maslow's Hierarchy came to mind as well. How many students do we see a day who don't have their needs met outside of our building? I do believe, however, that our building addresses those needs the best that we can to help keep students out of the category of Unavailble Learner.
Delete1. Students who are unavailable to learn are students who have been effected by situational problems outside of school. These problems could be but are not limited to: health issues, family disputes, poverty, access to transportation, access to proper nutrition etc. More students today are falling into this category with an increase of more than 400% in the past ten years (side note: I noticed this book was written 10 years ago and wondered what this rate was today) Unfortunately many parents do not immediately see an issue with their child's ability to learn based on living conditions outside of school. This could simply be because the family has become accustomed to their schedules, behavior, etc.
ReplyDelete2. The three models listed in the text that had great success in making changes in the student's education are: 1. Collaboration for Kids, 2. Partnership between move the mountain leadership center and aha! Process for the Circles Campaign, and 3. Menominee Indian School/Community Project. I do believe the reason these programs are so sucessful is because they all look at the individual needs of the student and family and then implement an individualized plan throughout a web of support compiled of community, school, and family. Although each program is slightly different in how it is organized, all three create a plan based on education of the surrounding issues contributing to the situation, create a team of people made up of community, school, and family, and then form a plan of action which can include educating staff and community on a case by case basis. The core of these plans is that they are built on an education of the situation, for example behaviors and facts of poverty, and then executed on an individual basis. Not all plans will work for all students or individuals which is what I believe makes these so successful.
It is shocking to see the numbers of children affected by abuse and poverty. I didn't realize this book was so outdated, but so much of the information is still pertinent to today's issues.
DeleteI agree that parents don't see certain factors at home as pertinent to their kids education. It seems like a lot of little things that add up to a good environment. They may appear insignificant at first glance.
Delete1. I think students who have issues going on at home have a very difficult time focusing on school. I know there are several families dealing with separation and/or divorce, and it is evident that the students are affected. We also have several families who have a hard time making ends meet and this affects their children's basic needs being met. It is hard for anyone to do anything well when they are hungry or constantly having to relocate.
ReplyDelete2. I think the main reasons the three models are successful are that they are structured, well-planned and involve necessary people to work on the situation at hand. The CFK involves all parties needed to help, not only the child(ren), but the family as a whole. The Move the Mountain Leadership Center involves whole communities to work toward assisting families to get out of poverty. The Menominee Indian School/Community Project allowed the school to reach all interested member in their community to gain information to help their specific situations.
The above comment is mine (Holly Wolfe). I have been having technical issues with this site for 2 weeks now. Sorry.
DeleteThere are a plethora of reasons that a child could struggle with learning. When our basic needs go unmet, it is near impossible to learn. Anything from lack of food or sleep, to unstable Home life could be a reason to be unable to learn.
ReplyDeleteForming a partnership with students families is vital. In order to keep students focused, you have to know their needs. I spoke with a teacher recently from another district. One of her students was showing up late for several days in a row. When she asked why, the student told her they had no electricity so they didn’t have an alarm. She was able to get with the principal and help the family get their electricity turned back on. Communication is the key.
Question 1: Some core issues identified in the chapter are emotional security, physical safety, self esteem, being bullied, transportation issues, and health difficulties. I would add that students also need to feel that what they are doing in school will matter to someone that they care about. I see students who don’t put forth effort simply because they know that no one at home holds them accountable or praises them for their work.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: All of the models seem to have a few things in common. They are effective because they identify the specific problems that poverty can bring and collaborate within the community to treat these problems. I think people in these communities are resistant to change that is instigated by outsiders. Another reason these models seems to be effective is that they give people hope. We all need realistic goals to succeed. In my opinion, if the goals are not realistic and are repeatedly out of our reach, anyone would get discouraged and give up, not just people in poverty. Finally, these models were successful because teachers, administration, and community members bought in. There was full participation, which led to a steady and systematic transformation of the students and parents involved.