Equity in Mathematics Education Leadership Institute
EMELI ESE NCEE
Mission About Us Perspectives Reflections Discussion Areas Articles On-Line Consulting Publications S.O.S. Contact Us

S.O.S. - Save Our Students

The murders at Columbine High School in April 1999 have fueled a nationwide discussion. What causes young people to resort to violence? What can schools do to prevent such tragedies? Although the causes of youth violence are complex, there is much that we can do to change the social climate that leads to student alienation and disaffection and contributes to violence. As educators we have concerns for our students health and safety. Many voices are calling for more supervision, increased regulations, and punitive measures. We believe that much more is called for to make schools respectful, safe and caring places. We offer the following suggestions.

Legislators and Citizens
  • Recognize and reward teaching and parenting as highly respected and important jobs in society.


    •
  • Increase public school funding to create smaller schools, hire more counselors, and provide professional development for teachers that will enable them to provide emotional support to students.


    •
  • Reduce the pressure and anxiety that standardized tests place on students and educators by expanding accountability measures so that test scores are not the primary yardstick of student achievement and school effectiveness.

    •
Back to Top


School Districts
  • Provide in-depth and ongoing professional development to increase all educators' understanding of race, class, and gender bias, anti-Semitism, homophobia, and disabilities.


    •
  • Support teachers in using curriculum and teaching methods that enhance young people's inherent curiosity and build upon their present interests.


    •
  • Set priorities so that schools' ability to promote young people's good citizenship, honesty, self-confidence, and compassion for others are valued as highly as academic success.


    •
  • Institutionalize regular opportunities for educators and students to obtain emotional, as well as intellectual, support for reducing student alienation.

    •
Back to Top


Administrators and Teachers
  • Take time to talk with and listen to your colleagues and exchange emotional support for the daily challenges you face in nurturing our youth.


    •
  • Develop caring relationships with students.


    •
  • Organize opportunities to engage students in discussions about how to maintain respect for each other. Help them learn how to discourage behavior that is disrespectful or hostile.


    •
  • Create a school culture where exclusive or disrespectful behavior is not acceptable. Learn ways to intervene effectively (without blaming and punishing) to reduce the harassment, insults, and exclusiveness that are pervasive in many schools.


    •
  • When crises occur, take class time to have your students talk and write about their views.

    •
Back to Top


Students
  • Expand your friendships to include people of different genders, socio-economic class, race, sexual orientation, interests, or with different physical disabilities.


    •
  • Learn how to not harass or insult other students and how to interrupt racist, sexist, and homophobic jokes, slurs, and demeaning remarks about other people. Point it out when your friends make such remarks.


    •
  • Educate teachers and administrators and insist that they value studentsŐ emotional well being as much as academic learning.

    •
Back to Top


Parents
  • Spend time playing with and listening to your children.


    •
  • Demonstrate respect for others, especially your children. You are their role model.


    •
  • Give attention to your children and listen non-judgmentally when they cry and express frustration or fear. They are trying to heal from the hurts of painful experiences.


    •
  • Encourage communication with your child by letting them know they can come to you with their problems without being punished.


    •
  • Carry this message to all involved with education and urge that the above suggestions be implemented.
Back to Top



Join the Campaign

This statement was prepared by the National Coalition for Equity in Education (NCEE) for the Save Our Students Ad Campaign. If you would like this statement distributed more widely send your contribution of $20 or more. Every dollar received will be used to publish this statement in major newspapers. Contributions are tax deductible. No names will be published, distributed, or sold.


Mail to: NCEE, P.O. Box 6473, Santa Barbara, CA 93160
I have enclosed a contribution of ____ for the Save our Students Ad Campaign.
Make Checks payable to NCEE.

Name:
___________________________		Address:
__________________________
City:
___________________________		State:
____		ZIP:
__________
Email:
_____________________________________________________
#W5-24
Back to Top