Ensuring that students hit learning milestones and are, thus, able to move forward into higher education and the workforce is no small feat. While learning-impacting issues originate from the student’s disposition or home life, global problems with the school system can also have a significant impact on children’s ability to retain information. Here are seven school issues that could negatively impact student learning.
Inadequate student motivation
Student motivation is a significant roadblock to learning. If students don’t want to learn, there’s little you can do to combat this stubborn attitude. Here are a few factors that might be taking the wind out of your students’ sails when it comes to an appetite for knowledge.
Unhealthy classroom environment
Surprisingly, a classroom lacking decoration can lead to low student motivation. Teachers can create a warm, welcoming environment where students feel safe to learn by using engaging classroom decorations.
Teachers
Good teachers create engaging lessons that motivate students. Teachers who don’t put forth much effort and believe in their students won’t win results. Depending on age group, opening the floor to your students and their goals can help you build lesson plans as their teacher.
Systemic issues
Our education system fails many of our students. Many kids slip through the cracks and lose motivation because they don’t receive adequate support from the infrastructure. Being a watchful eye for struggling students can help those students feel valued and give them the space to match their peers.
Lack of highly-qualified instructors and administrators
The teachers and administrators set the tone for a school. Many faculty members are unwilling to embrace new research about how students learn. These more old-fashioned administrators may reject any change to the current system.
Students will succeed when the faculty are educated on the best practices and passionate about creating a positive learning environment.
Low attendance rates
Some schools have poor attendance. When students miss too many days, they miss valuable instruction time. When a school realizes they have an attendance issue, they have to ensure students are in school, such as holding students and parents accountable for too many missed dates and working with guardians to fix any underlying issues.
Too many mandates
The government often changes its stance on how students should be educated and tested. It can be challenging for teachers and students to keep up with these changes, which are often unrelated to current best practices.
Discipline issues
Students can’t learn when a school has too many discipline issues. When kids are constantly in trouble, they are missing classroom time. Additionally, when a school has severe discipline issues, it negatively impacts all student learning, even for those who aren’t acting out.
Little parental support
Schools need the support of parents, and so do children. Supportive parents volunteer at schools, providing much-needed help and enrichment to improve the learning experience. Parents who aim to foster learning can also go a long way in helping a student succeed by guiding them in homework and other activities.
Poverty and lack of funding
Poverty is an issue for many schools that can cause negative impacts on its own. Students who live in poverty often have more significant concerns than learning, making them unable to focus on their studies. These students often drop out early to begin earning money for their families, and parents have little time to support their children’s education.
When schools lack funding, they have trouble getting the supplies and curricula they need. Teachers have to educate with less, making it difficult for students to learn as much.
Parting shot
Many factors can negatively impact student learning. You can overcome these challenges, but some require significant societal and systemic changes. Schools need to do everything they can to mitigate these factors and make school a place where all students can succeed.
