Whole Child Education

The Washington Post reports on the Center on Education Policy's recent survey of school systems across the country which finds that many elementary schools have focused on reading and math and less on other subjects in order to meet testing standards. Where do you sit on this issue of "curriculum narrowing?"

Read the full article and view the survey report.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to advance whole child education is to raise the awareness in your community. When people know about educating the whole child, they support educating the whole child. Raising awareness is easy and we have made it even easier with the Whole Child Resolution Tool Kit.

What's working: I am a principal at Jefferson Elementary School in Berwyn, IL. This past week was a deadly week for our nation's schools. Children killed children in schools on February 8th, 11th, 12th, and 15th. Schools which were once deemed a safe haven have become a place where we have to install metal detectors for the students' protection. Protection from whom? In essence we are protecting them from each other. What is the reason for the violence? In each case, students were angry and under stress from a variety of sources. I have been an elementary school principal in a high poverty school for 15 years and have personally experienced the increase in student aggressive behavior. Last year I did something about helping my students cope. All 630 PreK-5 grade students and their teachers in Jefferson Elementary School in Berwyn, Illinois do yoga for 5-10 minutes each day. The effect has been dramatic with a decrease of disciplinary referrals from 161 in 2005 to 70 in 2007.

What's not working: Resources to build additonal space for children. We lack the space to expand our program to meet the needs of our preschool children. Our current class size exceeds the state average at all grade levels.

—Violet T., Berwyn, IL

Share your story to tell us what's working and what's not working in your community.

ASCD is proud to join forces with leading education, health, arts, and civic organizations to further the Whole Child cause. Please welcome the latest partner, the School Social Work Association of America, who is dedicated to promoting the profession of school social work and the professional development of school social workers in order to enhance the educational experience of students and their families.

"ASCD's partner organizations address the needs of the whole child from a number of angles. Each is helping young people grow into well-rounded and successful adults-prepared for college, work, and life in the 21st century-from its own unique perspective," said ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter. "ASCD has brought all of those perspectives together into one initiative, which is at the heart of educating the whole child. It will take all of us working together to make this vision a reality, which is why we are excited to work with true leaders in their respective fields."

The whole child partners have signed on to support a system of academic achievement and accountability that ensures each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Partner resources and information that support the whole child framework can be found in the Resource Clearinghouse.

What's working: In my school district we are teaching mindful exercise programs to improve concentration skills. These programs are creating a culture where the parents can be involved in the health and fitness of their child, as well as in their child's ability to relax and learn in a less stressful enviornment.

What's not working: There are no programs established at the school level with community partners to implement mindful exercise programs. although many people in the community are interested in the program, the central school district does not provide funding or access to develop opportunnities for all schools.

—Carole R., New York, NY

Share your story to tell us what's working and what's not working in your community.

Today 6,000 talented young people will drop out of school.

Today over 9 million children do not have health insurance.

Today 12 young people will commit suicide.

Today 960 children will be victims of a violent crime.

Today only 11 states require credits in a foreign language for students to graduate.

Today African American students are 14 percent of those in school, but only 7 percent of those taking Advanced Placement exams.

Today two-thirds of high school students will be bored in at least one class.

Today 15 million students who need mentors do not have them.

Today you can make a difference! Use the new Whole Child Resolution Tool Kit to ask your local school board, town council, and other policymakers in your community to support a resolution that addresses the needs of the whole child. If students are to master world-class academics, they need to be physically and emotionally healthy. They need to be well fed and safe. They need to be intellectually challenged and have supportive adults who know them well and care about their success. And they need to be interested and engaged in what they're learning. Our children need hope. Our children need you.

ASCD is proud to join forces with leading education, health, arts, and civic organizations to further the Whole Child cause. Please welcome the latest partner, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). whose mission is to improve educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities. CEC, a non-profit association, accomplishes its mission which is carried out in support of special education professionals and others working on behalf of individuals with exceptionalities, by advocating for appropriate governmental policies, by setting professional standards, by providing continuing professional development, by advocating for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and by helping professionals achieve the conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

"ASCD's partner organizations address the needs of the whole child from a number of angles. Each is helping young people grow into well-rounded and successful adults-prepared for college, work, and life in the 21st century-from its own unique perspective," said ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter. "ASCD has brought all of those perspectives together into one initiative, which is at the heart of educating the whole child. It will take all of us working together to make this vision a reality, which is why we are excited to work with true leaders in their respective fields."

The whole child partners have signed on to support a system of academic achievement and accountability that ensures each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Partner resources and information that support the whole child framework can be found in the Resource Clearinghouse.

In Chile, a charter school is going against national norms by focusing on individualized instruction and thinking skills, rather than simply facts and memorization. Read the article and view a listing of global education resources at Edutopia.

Does your school's curriculum support creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving and other 21st-century skills? Share your story.

The Generation YES bloggers share their thoughts on a success story from Marriottsville, Md., where the community and students have become engaged in "Technology Thursdays," an after-school program featuring students teaching courses in game design, popular computer programs, and more. Classes are free and open to other students and community residents.

"Students have so much to offer, and schools and communities have so much to gain if we just let students take on authentic tasks and projects," writes Generation YES President Sylvia Martinez. "One teacher with a vision of students as competent, responsible contributors has changed a whole community for the better. Students can't learn to be leaders, teachers, and citizens in a vacuum."

Do your school and community provide students opportunities for community-based apprenticeships, internships, or projects? What's working in your community? What's missing? Share your story.

More than 27,000 students in Delaware took part in a mock election on February 5 as part of the Democracy Project, a program that challenges kids to become good citizens. Read more in the Delaware News Journal.

Learn about why it is important for schools to teach and practice the rights and responsibilities of citizenship that frame civic life in our democracy with the First Amendment Schools initiative.

The February 2008 issue of Educational Leadership, Teaching Students to Think, is a great resource for educators who know how important it is to challenge students. You'll find articles that touch on the teaching, curriculum, and research aspects of thinking skills.

How can educators actually teach students to think? Are most of our current educational practices encouraging students to think-or having the opposite effect?