Question: Why are some schools still having so many problems today?

Answer:  It’s an understatement to say that today’s schools have problems never imagined by most people forty years ago.  Many people are quick to say that problems in schools exist because they are not receiving enough taxpayer funding.  However, in most districts across America, education spending makes up one of the largest percentages of their budgets.  Others will mention issues such as too much student testing, low teacher pay, too many extra duties for teachers, or a lack of enough parental involvement. A good argument can be made that these issues do contribute to some of the problems in schools.  However, the truth is, one big reason behind many school problems is ever increasing student misbehavior.

Decades ago, students knew that if they didn’t behave in school and do their work, they would suffer some serious negative consequences both at school and at home.  These days, there are few negative consequences students fear receiving.  Plus, too often when some of their parents find out about their behavior problems,  these parents will blame the teacher.  Too many parents turn their parenting responsibilities over to the school system.  A school system cannot be a parent.  Parents must make sure their children know that they are holding them, not just the teachers, responsible for their behavior.  Christian parents, especially, should remind their children that they are representing Jesus in their schools, so they want to do their best and behave.  They don’t have to be the smartest in the room, but they should be among the best behaved. When there is a lot of student misbehavior, teachers end up spending quality class time and energy correcting behavior.  As a result, teachers have less time for teaching and other students can’t concentrate on learning.

Some schools have gotten so bad with behavior problems that their students  and teachers fear for their safety.  A case in point is ninth grader Malaysia, a student at Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion High School.  Malaysia was interviewed recently by Diane Sawyer of ABC News about her experiences attending the school named one of the most dangerous in America.  Malaysia tells of being bullied often and was even punched in the face by another girl after school.  Fights often break out at her school. We learn that Malaysia’s dad was the only one out of 70 parents to show up for parent-teacher meeting night in one classroom.  The story shows how the school security guards gather in the morning before school to offer a prayer of protection.  Even they are wise enough to know the need for this prayer, especially in these schools today.  Too bad the courts have stripped prayer from our schools, even as the violence and other immoral behavior have increased.  Please watch this six-minute news clip to get a better understanding of this story.   http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/dangerous-schools-america-19291981.

The behavior problems at Strawberry Mansion High School occur to some degree in many schools across the country. In light of this fact, may we all remember Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go,  And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (NKJV)  Let’s also remember to pray for all of our children.  Say an extra prayer for students and staff at schools like Strawberry Mansion.  May God bless them to be a school of excellence and no longer be one of the most dangerous schools in America!

Click to read the ABC News follow-up to there original story.    http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/hidden-america-diane-sawyer-revisits-school-risk-called-21103855.

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family   http://www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   http://www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network   http://www.cbn.com

World Magazine   http://www.worldmag.com