What do you think the the responsibilities schools have in helping students deal with social realities?

Question

around them are? Should schools include lessons that address social issues in their curriculum? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Only in as much as what absolutely must be addressed to maintain a civil order to create a more safe and studious environment. Social skills should be taught at home. The schools should be able to focus on teaching core academic classes. Getting bogged down by having to pick up the parent's slack only sets everyone back that much more.
I have to agree with Mazell (?sp). Even if I could still hear, I would not teach. I don't have the patience or temperment. Our teachers work nine month out of every year, full time. Collecting either their full pay while they are working and sucking up a dry teat for three months, or they take a slight reduction in pay while working so that they can still collect even during the three months of down time. The tax payers have cut funding so much that parents and teachers are now required (in our area) to purchase paper towels, toilet paper, etc.. And for the elementary teachers, any class room aids and projects, such as construction paper, rulers, colored markers and scissors are also out of pocket expenses as well. As a prospective teacher, who needs THAT? And still, any failure on Johnny's part automatically gets blamed on the teacher -- who spends more time with Johnny while he's awake then do his own parents.
I teach Cub Scouts. I have only three in my den. The parents always do the "Dump and Run" drill. One boy, has no father and because his mother just couldn't care any less, it's on his grandmother to provide. Another has no mother, and while his father truly does care, he's so busy trying to make ends meet and meet his sons needs -- he is falling behind miserably. The third is my own and he's smarter than everyone else -- almost a grade and a half higher, but is so hyper active, that even with medication, is more than just a slight handful. I cannot imagine having a full classroom full of this for eight hours a day, plus any extra curriculars I'd get tagged for. Valium, duct tape and zip ties...

Answer 2

Teachers have enough to do as it is. They must teach the 3 Rs. School boards have put them under such pressure for all students to pass federally mandated tests that now they have to "teach to the test". Believe me, this is not the right way to teach. No leeway is given for students who have any kind of learning disabilities. Every student must test proficient or the teacher can lose her job. On top of all this, too many parents expect the teachers to teach their kids all their social manners as well & they are not allowed to use any form of discipline either. Plus they stay after school to chaperone extracurricular activities. They still have to grade papers & plan the next day's lessons. This is usually done after they get home. It takes time from their own families & from themselves as well. Then they have to put up with parents who yell at them, accuse them of not earning their pay or ones who don't have an appointment, want to visit with the teacher about their kid. It's a wonder we have any teachers left. Their pay gets frozen, meaning no colas, no raises & they have to pay from their own pockets the expenses of classes for CEUs. I don't think they have time to have any more added to the curriculum. Remember, if it's not on the test, they can't teach it. They've even begun talking(in some districts)about doing away with English class & many History classes. Very few parents could care less but let anyone say anything about cutting back on some of the stuff like football & dances etc. & the switchboard lights up like a Christmas tree. Teachers do teach as much current events as possible but you said helping students deal with social realities. Teachers aren't social workers nor psycologists therefore should not try to be.Sorry to be so long winded but this is one of my soapbox subjects.