Franklin Schargel’s Blog

Franklin was interviewed by James Rector CEO of the Teach Abroad Network.  Below is the first of 3 parts of the interview:

https://teachabroadnetwork.com/blog/193/how-teaching-abroad-shapes-your-attitude-about-education

According to the School Safety Advocacy Council:

New York City had to pay $54,000 to the four former students who filed lawsuit. The New York Daily News reported that a lawsuit filed five years ago by the New York Civil Liberties Union, accusing the New York School Safety Division of using handcuffs and arresting students for breaking school rules has reached a settlement.

Under the settlement the city will pay $54,000 to four plaintiffs, including $24,000 to Lameak Williams, who allegedly  was beaten by school safety officers and charged with disorderly conduct when he refused to be searched for a cell phone.

The settlement also acknowledged reforms made to the division earlier this month that ensures safety officers will receive training in de-escalation and collaborative problem solving techniques.

There are a variety of ways to measure successful educational programs. No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top insist that high stakes tests are the only way. But federal and state mandates have turned students and teaching into “data machines” and teachers into computer jockeys instead or educators. High stakes testing merely confirms what we already suspect – that minority and children living in poverty do not test as well as those with greater privilege. But using a single test to measure the success of schools doesn’t work. Certain measurements are non-quantifiable. How do you measure the smiles on children’s faces as they hug their teacher or principal? How do you accurately measure the teachers who do not leave work at the end of their day, work late, come early and take work home to complete? How do you measure parents who voluntarily choose a school for their children to attend?

I have just spent five glorious days in La Promisa Early Learning Center. I interviewed the school’s executive director, the school’s administrators, the staff and students.

Many schools have mission statement hung on walls and they are merely pieces of paper. At La Promisa, the mission statement is a living, breathing document.

The mission of La Promesa Early Learning Center ensures that culturally and linguistically diverse students thrive in an academic, family centered, developmental seamless continuum of learning where high expectations, pride, respect and empowerment meet grade level proficiency.”

The school is a dual language school. Students come with a wide diversity of learnings and many enter the school only speaking Spanish. In order to accommodate the students, the school has established four goals of a dual language program:

1. Students will develop high levels of   proficiency in their first language.
2. All students will develop high levels of proficiency in a second language.
3. Academic performance for both groups of students will be at or above grade level.
4. All students will demonstrate positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors.

In order to increase family engagement, the school regularly holds a “Homework Diner” where parents and students come to be fed and help their children with homework.

There are three factors that I believe best measure school success.

• A visionary, empowering leader. The job of an educational leader is so vast and overpowering that it cannot be done without empowered faculty, parents and students.
• A supportive school culture. Some schools are toxic to students, student learning, parents and staff. Where teachers and the principal walk around with scowls on their faces.
• High performing classrooms. Performance needs to be measured where “the rubber hits the road”.

It is unusual to have all three elements present in the same place, at the same time.

The school, which started in 2005 with 170 students, now has 369 students with a cap of 375. Ninety nine percent are Hispanic, although all have been born in the United States. Sixty percent of the parents are from Mexico.

The school operates two campuses. One campus is for pre-K through 1^st grade. The second campus is from kindergarten to 8^th grade. The pre-school classes have two teachers, one ESL and the other teaching in English. This continues until grade 5 where only one teacher is in each classroom.

Dr. Analee Maestas, the Executive Director, has served from 2008 to the present. She has vast educational experience having been a member of the New Mexico community over 60 years. Gloria Velazquez has been principal at La Promisa for ten years and has been in education for 46 years. Both she and the other principal, Carlos Abetya have previously worked at Albuquerque Public Schools. Carlos retired from APS five years ago and when the opportunity arose to return to education at La Promesa, he seized it. He stated that multi-cultural education is the learning key for these children. And that education needs to relate to the child’s understanding of life. One of the things, which most amazed me about these two professionally trained, life-long educators, was that they are rarely found in their offices. They are in classrooms, talking to students and staff. I even saw Dr. Abetya stopping traffic on Central Avenue so that kindergarten children could board a bus for a school trip.

It is obvious to see that the staff loves students and teaching. Bianca Olona-Elwell, currently serves as the school’s Social Worker. She started at the school six years ago as an Educational Assistant (EA). In addition she runs the community outreach and a Homework Diner program. The Homework Diner program invites parents and students to come to diner where students are helped by parents and staff to do homework. The Diner is supported by Lujan Motorcycles. The community outreach has gotten also gotten Target Superstores to provide tutors. One teacher, Mrs. Eckles stated, “These children are bright and have enormous potential.”

One principal, Carlos Abetya stated, “The children are taken into to school young to grow and then acculturate to have a positive learning culture.’

The standards imposed by the Public Education Department do not provide enough latitude or flexibility to accommodate the various backgrounds of students, the family’s conditions, the economic conditions under which the children live, the distance from the school, the difficulty of reaching the school or any other unique condition children may face. All children are judged equally and expected to reach the same academic level of attainment. Rich or poor, English speaking or not; one size fits all. Children are being penalized for conditions they were born in and over which they have little control. Education uses a uniform curricula with identical textbooks to prepare all kids for the same tests at the end of the year. But as any parent can tell you, children are different from one another and what works for one child will not work for all children.

As one teacher explained to me, “we treat everyone as family and family doesn’t allow family to fail.” What better explanation to explain the success of La Promesa Early Learning Center?

 

 

 

The following article was written by my friend, Dr. Stephen Sroka who has given me permission to republish it. It originally appeared in Youthteen Magazine.

Heroin- an Equal Opportunity Destroyer By Stephen Sroka

1. US. Attorney General Eric Holder has called the rise in overdose deaths from heroin and other prescription painkillers an “urgent public health crisis.” According to CDC, one in five high school students has taken prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription. Heroin abuse often begins with prescription opiate abuse.

Heroin is truly an equal opportunity destroyer. Addiction to heroin and other opiates (such as oxycodone, Oxycotin, Percocet and Vicodin) is impacting the lives of Americans in every state- in the urban cities, the suburbs and the rural areas. Heroin overdose deaths have increased 55% between 2000 and 2010.

What is heroin?

Heroin is a drug that comes the opium poppy plant. It is much cheaper than using illegal prescription opiates. It can be injected, smoked, or snorted. Users develop a tolerance. It is very addictive. Heroin binds to receptors in the brain to give the euphoric rush, but also suppresses breathing that can be fatal. Two recent heroin deaths included Cory Monteith, the Glee star, and actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.

What can you do to protect your teen?

Eric Holder has said regarding heroin prevention, “The most effective efforts are those that begin at home. Parent’s and families can raise awareness about the devastating consequences of opiate abuse”

Here are some tips for parents

Denial is Huge.

After a heroin or opioid death, it is often heard, “I cannot believe that it can happen here.” As we have learned, heroin can happen anywhere. Saying, “Not my kid or my community” is like wearing blinders. There is not one parent anywhere that this can’t happen to.

This is a complex issue.

We cannot arrest our way out of the heroin/opioid addiction problem. We need education, prevention, intervention, incarceration, treatment and health policy changes. There is no quick fix. After you have done all that you can, you pray.

Education is key.

You need to educate yourself. You need to educate your teen. You need to be involved in your teen’s home life, social life, school life and community life. You need to be a good role model.

Studies have shown that the cycle of heroin abuse commonly begins with prescription opiate abuse. The use of opioids for pain needs to be taken very seriously. Check your medicine chest. If you have prescription pain killer pills that are no longer being used, it is suggested that you deposit them in a secured prescription drug drop box.

Signs of heroin abuse.

Heroin users are seldom honest about use. Lying and stealing are frequent behaviors.

Paraphernalia may include syringes, pipes, and belts or tubing.

Symptoms may include dry mouth, flushed skin, constricted pupils, impaired mental functioning, nodding out, and breathing slow.

Other symptoms may include itching, nausea, vomiting and constipation.

Should you snoop?

This is a sensitive area for teens, but if you have suspicions and you suspect, you might inspect. Trust, but verify.

What is addiction?

Addiction is a complex medical issue, not a moral issue. Scientific evidence suggests that substance abuse causes changes in the brain that makes it difficult for individuals to stop using. Treatment can help curb these behaviors. Addiction is a brain disease. It is a misconception that drug dependence is a voluntary behavior and moral failure. No one starts off saying,” I want to be an addict and live a life of pain.” Addiction can be diagnosed and can be treated. Treatment makes a difference. Recovery makes a life.

Steps to take if you suspect heroin abuse and finding treatment.

Be prepared, not scared. Learn all you can about heroin. Have a plan for action. The first step is to find a health professional that can provide an assessment.

A treatment locator for your area is found at the SAMHSA website at https://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/index.aspx

Drug use is often associated with mental health concerns, and mental health issues must also be addressed.

Quick action for heroin overdoses can save lives.

The use of naloxone, or Narcan, by first responders can reverse the effects of an overdose if administrated early enough. About 80% of heroin users inject with partners, but about 80% are found dead, alone, Some states are changing laws that allow family and friends to administer naloxone, which can be injected or by nasal spray. It is easy to use, but must be prescribed. It can save lives, but you still must call for medical help.

Teens need the 3 F’s and the 3 H’s to help protect them.

Research suggests that students need these protective factors: a family who loves them, even if it is not a biological family; friends, who will pull them up, not down; and faith, a moral compass, a sense of right and wrong. My experiences suggest that teens crave honesty, enjoy sensitive humor, and want hope.

My 5 Step Mantra for Heroin Prevention.

1. Don’t start.
2. If you do, get help as soon as you can.
3. You don’t do heroin, heroin does you.
4. Heroin is the best feeling you will ever have, until you don’t have it, and then it is the worst feeing you will ever have.
5. Don’t start.

And most importantly, you as the parent have the Power of One to make a difference.

1. Learn all you can about heroin.
2. Help one another (helping others is the best way to help yourself).
3. Tell the people that you love, you love them today. There are no guarantees about tomorrow with heroin.

For more information:

 Growing Up Drug Free A Parent’s Guide to Prevention is available from the Drug Enforcement Administration at https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com/

 

The Opiate Effect, an award-winning documentary for parents and teens about the dangers and realities of opiate abuse. https://vimeo.com/41741770

© 2014 Stephen R. Sroka, PhD, Lakewood, Ohio. Used with permission.

Stephen Sroka, PhD, is an adjunct assistant professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the president of Health Education Consultants. He is an award-winning educator, author and internationally recognized speaker. He has keynoted the DEA’s Red Ribbon Kick Off Ceremony in Washington, DC, and will keynote the International DARE Conference in Dallas this summer. He has worked with at-risk youth issues worldwide for more than 30 years. He is a member of the Cuyahoga County, OH, Heroin Task Force. Connect with Sroka on his website

www.DrStephenSroka.com or by e-mail at [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is the role of police in schools?  What should it be? A video went viral when a sheriff’s deputy was shown throwing and dragging a student across the floor.

The problem has grown worse since the 1980’s when the country started to put more police officers in schools.  What used to simply be an educational problem has become a law enforcement problem.  So the media now shows an 8-year-old student in handcuffs about to be arrested. The 8-year-old was found to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. These incidents used to be dealt with by the principal. Research shows that these police-driven policies have not made schools safer.  But they do make students more likely to drop out. And they do disproportionately affect minority and disabled children. Federal data show that children with disabilities represent 12 percent of the student population but 25 percent of children who get one or more out-of-school suspensions and 23 percent who are subject to arrest for school-related misbehavior.

School districts need to hire psychologists to deal with disruptive students.When schools and districts say that this is an added expense.  It is less expensive than law suits which arise when these students are handcuffed, arrested and abused.

 

According to an article in The Journal written by Dian Schaffhauser post on 11/12/15, The Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers will be customizing its online testing offerings to expand its reach into states outside of the consortium. While the current PARCC tests and assessment resources will continue to be available to states, in time for the next school year the new bundling of its Common Core-oriented assessments will also include these options:

• The current PARCC exams delivered on a Pearson assessment platform that allows states to customize the test and add their own items;
• The PARCC test blueprint and content but in a form that enables a state or group of states to select their own vendor for administering the testing;
• Test items available in blocks to let states design their own assessments using PARCC test questions but in a way that also allows them to make state comparisons across those item blocks, assuming the states adhere to agreed-upon rules for test administration; and

“The consortium of states who worked to develop the PARCC test have always had three simple goals: to develop a 21st century, high quality test focused on the skills that matter for success in life, the ability to compare student outcomes across states and to provide honest accurate information to parents and educators that can be used to improve classroom instruction,” said Hanna Skandera, New Mexico Secretary of Education, speaking on behalf of PARCC’s Governing Board in a prepared statement.

They need flexibility in creating testing products that meet all states’ unique circumstances.”

The new options may help reverse the fortunes of PARCC, which has fewer than half the members it had when it was originally formed. When the consortium first received funding from the US Department of Education under the “Race to the Top Assessment Program, it had a coalition of 26 states and administrative divisions. The current participants encompass 11 states as well as the District of Columbia.

 

States have asked for flexibility in delivering the PARCC. It appears that Pearson has heard the requests.

 

Worldwide. the demand for skilled teachers is large and growing.  A recent study by the American Association for Employment in Education reported teacher shortage in more than half of the fields surveyed.  The United States is not alone: UNESCO reports that the market for pre-primary, primary and secondary education worldwide expanded by more than 142 million students between 1999 and 2006.  This growth in students has resulted in a demand for an additional  7.7 million trained teachers.

The Albert Shanker Institute released a major report Sept 16 on the state of teacher diversity, which shows that, nationally, progress toward greater diversity is being made, but it is quite modest, compared with the need for more minority teachers.

In the nine cities studied””Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans, Cleveland, Los Angeles and San Francisco””the teacher-diversity picture is much bleaker, with only a few pockets of progress surrounded by serious setbacks.

Where there’s a diverse teaching workforce, all kids thrive. There has been a sharp decline in the population of minority teachers in our cities.

Here are some key findings from the report:

• In all nine cities, the share of the workforce represented by black teachers declined””in many cases dramatically. The population of black teachers has fallen by even larger numbers.
• Although Latinos’ share of the teacher workforce remained stable or grew slightly, the growth in Latino student population means very little progress has been made in closing the teacher-student representation gap.
• The representation gap is more pronounced in charters than in district schools.
• Nationally, the research shows the biggest obstacle to greater teacher diversity is teacher attrition: Minority teachers are leaving, the research shows, because of a lack of collective voice in decisions in their schools and a lack of professional autonomy.