Persuasive Essay On Afterschool Programs

Teachers shape the minds of students to realize what their purpose is in life. Lately, because of certain educational reforms, it has been hard for teachers to say what they need to say. “In 40-plus states, the math and English guidelines determine the knowledge students have to master by the end of each grade, what they’ll be tested on this year, and in many cases, how teachers and principals will be rated at their jobs once those test scores are released” (Strauss). Most educational reforms are adopting standardized testing and should be reconsidered. Statistics even show that since we have taken part in reforms like No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and Common Core State Standards math and reading are declining. These standards tell teachers what to teach and what the students should know by the end of the school year. The reforms also evaluate teacher performance by how well the students learn the information. Some people believe educational reforms should not be telling teachers how to teach their students, and others believe that the reforms are absolutely fine the way they are. However the truth is educational reforms are yet to be perfected.

In society today, a college education is often seen as a “the next step” in a young adult’s life. Whether they actually know what they would like to earn a degree in, they feel the need to continue their education as almost everyone around them is pursuing post-secondary education of some sort. It is often argued that a college education is not necessary to get ahead because of the manufacture based workforce that is up and coming in America, however, there are many benefits to having a post-secondary education such as a higher rate of pay and more job opportunities.

More parents than ever these days are working outside of the home. This means that when the school bell rings, many children are left unsupervised and with no where to go but an empty house with no supervision. Not only that, but some parents are also struggling to provide adequate after-school care. Either they cannot afford the monthly payments of a daycare, or the programs are just simply not available to them. (Ansell, 2004).

Chapter 10, Section 1 B, Poverty, Marriage and Parenting Problems, discusses how a person's social class, family life or family's attitudes can affect a child's relationship with peers, teachers and others in an educational environment. This section seemed to attract my action because it reminded me of a part time job I had when I was in high school. My job was to be a counselor and a teacher assistant for a summer and spring program called Bain + 2. The author noted that some districts and schools hire counselors to help students or sponsor after school programs for children (Foundations of Education, p. 291). When I worked for Bain + 2, it was an after-school and summer program in the city of Cranston at Hugh B. Bain Middle School. Hugh B.

The article talks about how some mothers who gave up their employment to monitor their children’s studies and also go to school with them, just to make sure their children succeed. Parents even monitor their children’s five plus hours of nightly homework. Children aren’t allowed to watch television until the homework is done.

Parent Time that incorporates issues significant to social differences, acculturating guardians into the American training framework, readiness for successful support of the child's education, life and parenting abilities, techniques for parent association in their child's training in school and at home, initiative and school choice open doors, benefit learning and group challenges, urban engagement and volunteerism, family support, proficiency and essential aptitude advancement, and business related

In NYC, access to after-school programs remains a problem for many children especially those from low-income/unstable families due to the lack of funding by the government. After school programs are slowly diminishing in the city and many people are not interested in reviving them. Over the years, many people have downplayed afterschool programs and their benefits to children especially those that come from low-income/unstable families. The social development of children from unstable backgrounds could greatly improve by the promotion and valuation of afterschool programs. They offer activities, memories, and a sense of community all of which these kids need to excel and gear away from the negativity that surrounds them.

Alternative schooling is an educational establishment that has a curriculum or ways of teaching that are non traditional such as a wide range of teaching styles. An alternative school can be either private or even public (i.e. charter, online and magnet schools). Some of these schools aren't offered in some school districts, while some like magnet, charter and online schools are usually completely online. This usually happens if the school district or state that a student is currently living in doesn’t have the proper funding to build an alternative schooling location. Some alternative schools may offer classes at night, which is helpful for students who work. Along with that some of alternative schools have flexible graduation requirements and give students the choice in what classes they want to take apposed to regular schools where you really don't have so much of a say in your classes.

Children who are subject to negative or bad environments are more prone to engaging in drugs and alcohol. There are many programs that bring awareness and prevention to alcohol and drugs. The South Carolina Afterschool Alliance program provides groups and organizations with an effective after-school program plan. The after-school programs are essential in promoting awareness and prevention of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, abstinence, and violence to young children or adolescents.

After school, from 3 to 6 p.m, is a critical period of time in a child’s life. After school programs help keep kids safe and inspire them to learn during that period of time. After school programs are organized programs that youth can participate in outside of a traditional school day. Enrolling children in afterschool programs would provide them with benefits that unenrolled children would not receive, such as reduce risky behavior and promote physical health. After school programs provide a safe environment for children, while positively impacting their academics, safety, and their future.

After- school programs have been around for long time. However, their initial purpose was different than what is demanded in today’s society. The after school program was originally developed in urban communities in response to the decline in child labor and the rise in mandatory schooling. This combination altered the day of an urban child. The child would go to school, and come home with nothing to do. They could not work anymore because of child labor laws. With this being a new law, parents did not know what to do with their children because they had to work into the late hours of the evening. Also, urban housing had unkempt, undesirable conditions for living. This caused many

The greatly discussed dilemma of having a child be taught in a public school setting versus a homeschool setting has been evaluated by parents since the idea was first introduced in the 1970’s. Public schooling had been the standard method of teaching since it is a requirement for states to provide public, free education for children in grades K-12. However, the backlash against the system began when two educational theorists and supporters of school reform, John Holt and Raymond Moore, started to question both the techniques and the products of public schools. Some parents went on to support the ideas of them and began to teach their children in the environment of their own homes for several different reasons. Some included moral or religious reasons, a desire for high educational achievement, dissatisfaction with public schools’ instructional program, or concerns about drugs and peer pressure in a public school environment. Child development specialists believe that homeschooled children are isolated from the outside world, therefore making them socially handicapped. If being exposed to this type of education on an elementary school level, the child can suffer from the lack of fundamental development of effective social skills needed for a lifetime ahead of them.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical examination of the research by Anne R. Pierce regarding the effects of early educational and extra-curricular activities on the overall development of children (Pierce, 2002, p.39-43). The three flaws analyzed from the article Who’s Raising Baby? Challenges to Modern-Day Parenting, are the lack of supporting data analysis, presence of confounding variables, and lack of statistical evidence to support the claim. The strength of the research is found in the use of multiple credible sources to support the claim that child development is hindered by early pressures from education and auxiliary activities.

Most parents hear the word “home-school” and conjure up many assumptions that are either false or overlooked at. The technology provided, as well as the teaching quality spent on home-schooled children requires a lot of time and effort from the parents; it is an act of dedication and total commitment. According to the Robinson Curriculum, the parents have “little personal time or time alone. If care is not taken to set aside time for yourself, it is easy to never have time alone. They are basically with their [children] 24/7” (The Robinson Curriculum). There are many positives as well as the negatives outlooks pertaining to “sheltering” kids from attending private or public schools. Many adults are

If you were to overhear a conversation in a household with children, it isn’t uncommon that you would hear bickering and debating between child and parents about their future plans of education. One of the big discussions you would hear would be whether or not to attend a school or to stay home for education. Deciding where a child should further their education is not a decision that should be taken lightly. There is a reason that the decision to homeschool or to send a child to a public or private school is so controversial. Ultimately, it should be the child’s decision because they know their learning habits the best. With the guidance of their parents the child will be able to make the best decision for their needs. The environment that children learn in and the social interaction with other children are essential to the development of children.