New Survey

POSTED BY FROSTY TROY

The National School Boards Asso­ciation's Council of Urban Boards of Education has released findings of a major research study, Where We Teach, which surveyed how teachers and administrators feel about their urban school environments.

A majority of urban teachers and building administrators hold high ex­pectations for students and care whether students are successful.

The survey found that nearly one­-third of teachers and nearly 16% of administrators agree that students at their schools are not motivated to learn.

Nearly one-quarter of teachers also agree that most students at their school would not be successful at a community college or university.

Among the major findings is that while most teachers and administra­tors in the survey believe they can deter bullying in their schools, the majority believe that bullying still goes on at least once a month.

Three-quarters of teachers dis­agree that racial barriers to educa­tional and economic opportunity no longer exist in the U.S.

While parent involvement is known to be one of the indicators of success for students, teachers and adminis­trators differ in their perceptions of parent involvement.

While 81% of administrators agree that parents support their school and activities, only 57% of teachers agree with that perception.

Teachers know – but most remain mum – that the biggest obstacle, es­pecially for minority children, is sorry parenting. All the "reforms" in the world won't improve the situation until parenting improves.