Moving Education Forward

Guest Editorial by Dr. Bob Bowers

Nonacademic Barriers Hinder Student Success

Much discussion is taking place regarding pending changes in the “No Child Left Behind” act of 2001. Many educators are advocating for relaxed rules or flexibility in the implementation of Ohio’s plan that ensured that all students would be at grade level by 2014, as measured by the state testing program.  The Ohio Department of Education and the Board of Regents are considering a merger into the same building to align efforts to reach the mutual goal of having all students “college ready” by graduation. 

Districts have struggled with bringing the subgroup performance to levels paralleling the majority of students in the district.  The subgroups are the economically disadvantaged, minorities, those with limited English proficiency and students with disabilities.  In order for them to be successful, these groups usually require more resources, both to address academic improvement and in terms of dealing with economic and social barriers. Central Ohio is addressing the academic barriers well, with fewer schools failing to meet annual yearly progress (AYP) each year.  The challenge to meeting AYP lies in addressing the nonacademic barriers that keep students from achieving at higher levels.  

In 2009, the Educational Council and United Way of Central Ohio conducted a survey (PPAAUS) of all Franklin County students in grades 8, 10 and 12, which revealed that many students continue to demonstrate an inability to deal with the barriers that have a direct effect on achievement, attendance and negative behaviors.  The survey revealed that 8% of grade 8, 21% of grade 10 and 37% of grade 12 students reported they drank on a regular basis.  An average of 21% of Franklin County students had skipped school at least once in the past year; 3% of the students had been truant more than ten times.

In addition, 50% of students had cheated on a class test at least once in the past year; 5% more than ten times. An average of 9% of the students reported that they had sold drugs in the past year; 3% said they had done so ten times or more. An average of 19%, or approximately 6,400, of the students reported vandalizing property at least once in the past year. While the majority of Franklin County students are attending regularly and not engaging in negative behaviors in or out of school, much is left to be done to help all youth succeed.

The investment strategy of United Way that targets communities facing barriers for care, poor nutrition, low expectations for educational attainment, unsafe neighborhoods and unsafe housing will begin to impact educational attainment. When kids come to school feeling safe and ready to learn, with a full stomach and the health care they need, they will make faster educational gains. 

Kindergarten readiness is vital for school success, but maintaining success is dependent on eliminating the nonacademic barriers faced by students.  Graduation rates will not improve until these issues are addressed, and they can only be effectively addressed by transforming the entire community’s focus on affordable housing, good nutrition and wellness, fiscal stability that good jobs bring, and strong schools with extended learning time for those who are academically behind. 

All children can and will succeed if we have families, schools and communities working together to promote strong beginnings, smooth transitions and college readiness as our common goals.