The Merriam-Webster Dictionary explains that encourage means “to give support, confidence or hope to (someone).” It’s no surprise that these are challenging times. So what will it take to offer more encouragement to young people?
Joe Nathan
Education Columnist
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary explains that encourage means “to give support, confidence or hope to (someone).” It’s no surprise that these are challenging times. So what will it take to offer more encouragement to young people?
First, school/community service programs can benefit students and the community. Forest Lake High School FFA students have done many projects including a city garden “gateway project along Highway 61.” Elk River’s Spectrum High School students raised money for the Alzheimer’s Association, conducted a horse camp for younger students, and grew vegetables for senior citizens.
Second, educators can help youngsters and families save money while challenging themselves. Recently I wrote about the efforts high schools are making to encourage high school students to take more challenging classes.
Steve Massey, Forest Lake High School principal, recently told me, “We offer 13 Advanced Placement (AP) and 14 College in the Schools (CIS) courses. Our enrollment has gone up steadily in the last 3-4 years. We have seen a 10 percent gain in the last three years in enrollment in our AP and CIS courses. Last year, 34 percent of our students took at least one AP or CIS course. Last year, we gave 440 AP exams with 55 percent of the students scoring at a 3 or higher.”
North Branch, for example, estimates that if all the students taking college level classes this year pass them, the students will save about $225,000. I’d suggest that high schools set a goal of having every student, except the most academically disabled, take at least one college level class before graduating. It might be in an academic area or in a more applied area. But these classes do help youngsters see they can accomplish much more.
Third, community organizations and business can encourage students.
Last week the Minnesota Business Partnership honored two outstanding Minnesota public schools: Sibley East-Gaylord Elementary School in Gaylord, and Concordia Creative Learning Academy in St. Paul. The partnership selected these schools because they are serving a high percentage of low income and or/minority students and “they are raising overall academic performance and closing the achievement gap.” Both schools demonstrate major gains in student achievement.
Earlier this year I wrote about the outstanding performance of the Apple Valley, Eastview, Rosemount and Eagan students in Minnesota’s Math League. Many math teachers from around the state have praised the league.
Tracy Bibelnieks, an Augsburg Math professor told me: “Without Fastenal Corporation, we would not be able to hold the state tournament.” She also explained, “ADC Foundation funds the summer coaches conference where we discuss how to improve math teaching. Their support allows math coaches to come virtually cost free.”
Finally, senior citizens can come into schools to discuss their hobbies and help give more individual attention to young people – something that can have huge benefits. Some time ago I wrote about Gary Hawkins, a retired teacher in the Cambridge-Isanti district who helped organize grandparents to come into schools. They showed youngsters how to fish, how to train dogs, and read with some of them.
Thanks to each of these individuals and organizations that are giving support, hope … encouragement… to youngsters.
Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change at Macalester College. He welcomes reactions, jnathan@macalester.edu.
