Inform Article

Why Aren’t Enough Students Pushed Academically in Schools?

08.21.2012
Posted by Leon Fooksman of yourPBC.org

Students --- are you bored in school?

According to national surveys, the answer is an overwhelming "yes."

A significant number of American students are bored on a daily basis in school. The reasons cited by students: schoolwork isn't interesting and lacks relevance.

This summer, a Washington-based think tank reported in a survey that many elementary and middle school students felt they weren't challenged by their math and history classes, and many high school students felt they rarely write about what they read in class.

The same survey, conducted by the Center for American Progress, found that low-income students comprehend their teachers less than their more affluent classmates.

Education experts point to a number of factors behind this problem. Chief among them: standardized tests often limit material teachers can cover and reduce time teachers have to interact with students.

With a nearly 20 percent dropout rate in Palm Beach County, how do we get more students engaged in what goes on in their classrooms? How do we push more students academically so they aren't bored?

Share your thoughts below.

You can also post your ideas on Twitter using the hashtag #ParentalInvolvement and on our Facebook page.

Your input is very important. We'll be sharing your comments with policy makers who are interested in school reform issues.