By M. CASLER
Sheridan High School Student
The Sheridan Student Column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School’s 10th grade English class, taught by Abby Williams. The author’s photo and full name have been withheld at their request.
This column will inform you about the public high school system and how it needs to change.
According to research.com, 90 percent of American students attend a public school. If you ask a public high school student how attending school makes them feel, they surely won’t say excited, fun, or cheerful. I asked a few of my fellow high school students what they think of when someone brings up school and their responses were all negative: Stress, sadness, aw s**t, prison, and chaos.
My daily schedule at Sheridan High School accommodates a student resource time (SRT) which is provided for each student. SRT is like a study hall where you can make up tests, do your homework, chat with friends, or binge-watch your favorite TV show. I think all schools should implement this class into their students’ schedules.
All public schools across the U.S. need to become more accommodating or personalized for their students. Schools are designed to teach multiple students at once, regardless of their learning style, level, or ability.
Almost all schools base themselves on standardized testing and the rating of the school more than they care about their students. I think schools should focus more on the well-being of students and how they can learn more effectively. If schools cared and provided more resources, I think students’ grades and test scores would improve tremendously. Quite a few schools do have advanced classes and resource aids/classes for specific people, but it’s still too generalized.
I have been diagnosed with ADHD and sometimes school and some teaching styles can become overwhelming and difficult for me to manage. I think it would help me, and others, if the material was more in-depth or more personalized.
Another way schools could improve is by changing the learning environment. The classroom I feel the safest and most comfortable in is my accelerated English teacher, Mrs. Williams’ room. There are four lamps that shine a muted yellow light that replaces the bright LED overhead lights. There are colorful posters and pictures and the whole back wall is covered in calm-looking tapestries. Mrs. Williams also has various flexible seating options. Her classroom is a prime example of how future classrooms should look.
Alternative seating is a great way to change the environment of classrooms and make students feel more engaged. According to a 2018 study by the University of Mississippi, alternative seating is recommended in place of a seated desk, because a seated desk prohibits natural body movements that are linked to increased learning abilities. There are many types of alternative seating such as beanbags, yoga balls, couches, standing desks, and low tables for floor seating. Alternative seating gives students a chance to move around and fidget while being engaged in class.
The last recommendation I have for schools is to expand the patience and teaching style of teachers. I am not saying teachers need to change their whole curriculum, but rather become more patient, more loving, and more kind. A prime example of this type of teacher at Sheridan High School is my chemistry teacher, Mr. Olsan, who makes chemistry a lot easier to understand and learn. He is very patient and is willing to re-explain anything we do. He is also a very funny guy who shows that he cares when he engages in conversations – with me personally, and with the whole class. Most days when the bell rings to start my fifth-period class, we talk about some sort of food, sport, or something completely random like arsonists.
I think that this type of fun, casual conversation at the start of class helps us engage in the lesson more. I know school would be more enjoyable for many students if the system was improved.
I hope schools across the U.S. can take this article into consideration and better change the lives of public high school students.