H elping C hildren S ucceed
Dr. JC Bowman
How do we know that we are focusing on what
really matters in public education? That could be
debated for a long time and still never be settled.
Yet there are some things we can do to pursue
success in children.
In general, our educational system does a terrific
job of teaching academics to our students.
However, it is questionable if we are responding
sufficiently to the increasing emotional needs of
children. Policymakers and stakeholders need to
take a serious look at the current mental health
system in our country. In schools in some parts
of the country, social emotional health is being
addressed with equal enthusiasm as academic
gains are addressed.
JC Bowman
While standardized testing may be reduced or
devalued eventually, for the immediate future
we can expect testing to be part of the K-12
academic culture for public schools, regardless
of current public opinion. We hope standardized
testing will continue to evolve in a positive way.
Hopefully, that does not mean more testing, but
changing how data may be gleaned and utilized
from minimal testing. Many educators feel
the testing culture has taken away a teacher’s
flexibility and qualities such as “persistence, self-
control, curiosity, conscientiousness, grit and
self-confidence” are being lost. The loss of these
traits by students is to the frustration of many
parents and teachers. Students need instruction
in both cognitive and non-cognitive skills.