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Curing Senioritis

Is the senior year of high school a waste of time? How can the school system combat "senioritis"? What can be done to keep students engaged? What do students need to know to be prepared for life beyond high school?

Parents, educators, community leaders and the students in question gathered at the Fulghum Center recently for a public engagement session on "enhancing the high school experience."

Each table was given one or two questions to discuss. Participants then reported out on their findings.

Below is a sampling of what each group had to say.

Teachers: How can teachers incorporate the different experiences of students with course requirements to enhance student engagement and prepare them for future success?

• Teachers should have high expectations for all students and meet the needs of all types of learners.

• Teachers are contending with students who don't read at grade level. That deficiency impacts the students' overall academic performance and makes it more challenging for them to succeed.

Current college students: What technologies should high schools use to enhance student learning?

• Teaching students how to use PowerPoint would better prepare them for college.

• Teachers should also use PowerPoint more since it's commonly used by professors at the college level. That would help familiarize students with the technology.

Current college students: What specific experiences and skills would you recommend teaching high school students to better prepare them for postsecondary education?

• Students need more opportunities to practice public speaking.

• Graduates complained that teachers "teach so much to the [SOL] test."

Rising seniors: What is your reaction to the statement that the entire senior year is a waste?

• Students suggested starting a countywide student council to improve senior involvement.

• They also suggested every high school should have a career center to help students explore options for after graduation.

• Students need teachers who are "passionate and not just teaching to the [SOL] test." "We have more fun learning when we go more in-depth with a topic," said one rising senior.

• Students also suggested holding workshops to help students apply for college, learn how to do job interviews, etc.

• They were critical of the school system for increasing the number of students who take advanced placement and dual-enrollment classes. "I don't know if it's dumbing down the level of these courses. They should be reserved for students who want to do advanced work," said one rising senior.

• Emphasis needs to be put on grade point averages as early as the ninth grade to help students stay on track for college placement.

College/state representatives: In what areas are county students best prepared and in which areas do they need more preparation?

• Students need to improve their written/oral communication skills, math skills and learn to think critically - not just answer questions on a test.

Parents: What can parents do to encourage student learning -- especially among students who are reluctant learners?

• Parents said it's much harder to be involved at the middle and high school levels than when kids are younger. They asked for teachers and administrators to help them become more involved at those higher levels.

• They also suggested parents could be brought in to teach real-world skills, like job interviewing or balancing a checkbook, and help students explore different career paths.

• A more active alumni association would increase involvement in county schools.

Business leaders: How can the business community help high school students engage in community service and service learning?

• People who have service jobs, like policemen and nurses, should be brought in as guest speakers for students.

• Service organizations, like the American Legion and Lions Club, could also visit schools to share more about their work in the community.

High school principals: Is it reasonable to expect all ninth graders to graduate from high school within four years?

• Some students, like those with severe handicaps, will not meet the four-year timeline. "One shoe doesn't fit all," said one principal. The four-year plan might not be right for all students.

• Pre-kindergarten programs need to be expanded to help level the playing field in later grades.

• High school start times are too early.

• The "SOLs are almost counter to what we're trying to accomplish," said one principal. "It's made [the teachers] fearful of doing the things they'd like to do in their classroom."

• Kids at all levels need to be engaged - not just high-achievers in AP classes.

• Studies need to be relevant to the real world.

• There needs to be more career exploration and planning.

Middle school principals: What can middle schools do to help prepare students for high school and beyond?

• There should be more support programs to help students transition from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school.

• There needs to be more communication between the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Elementary school principals: What can schools do to nurture and challenge students?

• There needs to be an increased sense of community within schools.

• Schools could hold morning meetings with students to prompt more engagement.

• Schools should promote more small group instruction. In middle school, there's too much emphasis on students doing worksheets. At the high school level, teachers rely too heavily on lecture, also called the "sit and get method of teaching."

• All students should have access to laptops, and all sixth-graders should be proficient in keyboarding/word processing.

Check out more stories in this edition of the Chesterfield Observer , now a weekly publication.