Many communities and people around the world take their children to school with the aim of creating a better future for them. Some of them expect the school leaders to create the best schools that provide the needs of the individual students, parents, and the general society. In so doing, different administrators have worked hard to create the ideal schools that suit the needs of the students. In coming up with ideal learning institutions, the leaders consider factors such as equality, sociality, academics, and talent management among other things. Their main aim is to ensure that the schools provide an environment and conditions that allow for inclusive and one in which all students feel safe and fulfilled. With the aim of achieving these personal and societal needs, many professionals have come up with different propositions to make the ideal schools. On the other hand, some professionals have also disputed some factors implemented in the learning institutions as they state that some of the policies implemented do not work in creating the optimal schools that community members hope for. Therefore, this is a research paper that analyses different journal articles published on the factors that lead to the creation of an ideal school. The article approaches this issue by considering different factors such as student, communal needs, student-teacher ratios, start and end times of schools, learning preferences, and grading methods among other factors that aim in creating an ideal school.
A research study by Bodine (2003) states that different professionals advocated for the introduction of school uniforms for different reasons. The article states that the professionals argued that school uniforms would promote equality among students and hence eliminate the competition that existed between the poor and the rich students. On the other hand, the lack of equality based on standard clothes for schools lead to poor performances among students because of low self-esteem and absenteeism among student from poor backgrounds. Still, on this, the article reports that the leaders advocated for the introduction of school uniforms with the aim of reducing the effects of social disparity among rich and poor students. The research reported that until the introduction of the school uniforms, students had various social differences. For example, they dressed differently and had varied financial gaps that also affected their academic performance. On the other hand, the article states that the introduction of uniforms aimed at eliminating class distinctions among students and hence placed the poor students at the same standing with the rich students. Early studies had shown that students had strata in which poor students sat on their own with the rich one also forming a segment of the school population.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The main aim of the article was to refute the notion that the introduction of the school uniforms led to poor academic performances. However, the article found out that the claiming Journal based its study on misleading results of sector analysis. The study by Bodine (2003) proved that there was a positive correlation between academic performances and school uniforms. The researcher further indicated that the use of uniforms was important in the schools because it promoted equality among students hence promoting a conducive environment for learning. On the other hand using uniforms is an important factor because it reduced the rate of high school dropouts because of poor common clothes that served to lower students esteems hence poor performances. The study refuted the idea that using uniforms had negative correlations to academic performances among high school and elementary school students hence it is important to use school uniforms in creation an ideal school to allow for equality, inclusive, same social standing, and for economic reasons.
Another factor to consider when creating an ideal school is the social factor that promotes the relationship between students. Studies have revealed that a factor such as bullying is a negative social factor that does not provide an effective learning environment for students. In fact, a research study by Saarento, Garandeau, and Salmivalli (2015) states that bullying is a factor that is embedded in the class and has social implication in student lives. Similarly, this study further reveals that the existence of bullying in schools occurs between classrooms and schools and is a relevant factor for social developments. The study has revealed that bullying in schools is a factor that has been around for quite sometimes. What is worse is that the perpetrators of the vice do not recognize the fact that it is wrong to bully other students. Similarly, the victims of bullying do not report such occurrences to the relevant authorities hence making the ability to deal with bullying an uphill task for the school leaders. The study also indicates that the existence of bullying in school interferes with the social lives of students in schools. In this case, the existence of the vice does not promote the creation of an ideal school for high school and elementary school students.
On that note, Saarento, Garandeau, and Samivlli (2015) state that bullying is a factor that affects many students around the world. In fact, the study points out that across a national survey conducted in 2009 revealed that the percentage of bullied student stood at 11% bullies and 13% victims among students aged between 11 to 15 years. The study further reported the existence of another 4% bully-victims, a population of students victimized and bullied by other students. Similarly, the study proved that bullying issues in schools occurred due to school and classroom related aspects coupled with individual behavior in the environment as well as in the classes where students learn. It meant, therefore that the need to come up with an ideal school required the eradication of negative aspects such as bullying. The study further states that the systematic abuse of power characterizes the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator hence making it hard for the victim to defend him or herself against the social, physical, or verbal abuse. The study further reports that the problem of bullying extends beyond the victim -perpetrator relationships. The study reports that the issue of group phenomenon, surrounded and influenced by the wider social context further extends the issue of bullying in schools . On the same note, the study reveals that students also promotes the existence of bullying by either assisting or reinforcing the bully while others support and defend the victim.
According to the article, bullying does not only affect social aspect of a learner but also contributes to physical and psychological issues in the bullied students. Therefore, it is important to eradicate bullying in an ideal school by creating rules that help students deal with the issues of bullying. On the same note, it is important to educate students on the negative effects of bullying not only on the victim but also on the perpetrator. It is important to eradicate bullying and other negative behavior because it helps both high school and elementary school students to develop positive social, physical, and psychological aspects that will enable them to progress well in their academic and social lives. As the students aim to proceeds to higher educational institutions such as college, the students will be able to play an important role in creating an environment that promotes positive social, physical, and psychological well-being of their fellow students. In fact, eradicating bullying in an ideal school will also help reduce the rates of violence and other forms of harassments that take place in universities and colleges.
The need to create an ideal school cannot be complete without considering factors such as student teach ratio and the involvement of parents in various school and students activities. A research study by Rodriguez and Elbaum (2014) reported that there exist a positive relationship between the schools’ efforts to engagement parents and parent’s involvement in the education of their children. The study found out that the ability of parents to engage in school activities as well as in the learning activities largely depended on the ability of school leaders to engage parents in school activities. On the other hand, the study also reported that the ability of schools to engage parents in various school activities also affected the way the parents viewed school efforts.
Based on these findings, it is important to consider the efforts that a school put in involving different parents in the participation of the school activities. The school should also encourage parents to be fully involved in monitoring and evaluating the performance of their children. In investigating parents’ involvement and school efforts to engage parents, the study looked at factors such as school size, grade level, student-teacher ratio, and socioeconomic status. The authors found out that the ratio of students to their teachers was a strong predictor of parents’ involvement in school activities. Therefore, the aim of creating an ideal school should also consider the student teachers ratios at the school since this would also influence the level of parent involvement in academic and other school activities. For example, the study found out that if the number of students were directly proportional to the number of students, then it would mean that the teachers had more time to attend to student academic and social needs. This ratio would also lead to teachers aiming at involving parents in various academic activities. The student teacher ratio is an important factor in creating an ideal school because it does not only promote the involvement of parents whose children are receiving special education but also influenced student performances positive hence leading to good grade and effective transitions to other levels of education.
Another important factor to consider when coming up with an ideal school is grading preferences. A research study by Chansky and Shaw (1971) reports that different high school students prefer different methods of grading. The study shows that irrespective of grade levels, high school students preferred different forms of grading. The study revealed that they preferred grading methods such as honor, good, average, fair, and poor. It is important to consider students preferred method of grading because it has an impact on students attitudes. Studies have revealed that students prefer grading methods that encourage them as well as communicate how they perform in different subjects. Grading preferences are also important because it helps high school students to focus more on their academic abilities. For example, if a student gets poor in any subject, he or she will strive for better grades such as good or honor in the next test. Therefore, teachers should come up with students’ preferred grading methods to encourage better performances among students. Similarly, the study by Chan sky and Shaw (1971) also indicates that most students do not preferred grading systems that have negative communication or information concerning their performances. In coming up with an ideal school, the leaders and educators should adopt system or methods of grading that encourage better performances among students.
Testing method and the extent of curriculums is another factor that should be considered in coming up with ideal schools. A research study by Berliner (2011) reveals that many schools, especially in Britain and the USA, have a high stake for grade and results. The study reveals further that the need for higher grades leads to negative behaviors among students. For example, these aspects lead to stealing of exams among students. Other educators also aim to doctor grades so that they can improve performances among students to achieve higher grades. Therefore, the study states that schools should not focus so much on high stakes for grades for high school students. Similarly, narrow curriculums also has negative effects on student performances, for example, narrow curriculums have the effect of making students miss out on important subjects that aim to improve their skills and talents. Therefore, according to this article, it is important for school leaders to come up with curriculums that are inclusive and enable students to explore their talents and different skills (Berliner, 2011) . The aspect of the reasonably inclusive curriculum and the ability to do away with high stakes in grades is important in creating an ideal school because it enables high school students to nurture skills and talents that would help them in choosing the right careers at colleges and universities. On the other hand, doing away with high states in grading is important because it eliminates in healthy competition among students and encourages group work that will evidently improve students’ performances while creating a more relaxed learning atmosphere.
Another notable factor that affects students’ performances in various schools is the issue of weight among students. Studies have revealed that weight issues among students can be addressed in various ways. For example, a research study by Slingerland, BerGhour, and Hesselink (2012) reveals that an in-depth knowledge of physical activity energy expenditure can guide school in coming up with effective intervention methods to manage weight issues among adolescent. The study reveals that leaders can achieve the need to manage weight issue among student by applying factors such as using active transport and promoting the needs of physical education among adolescent. According to the study active transport to school is an important aspect in helping students to manage weight issue through physical methods such as walking. On the other hand, schools should include physical education in their curriculums to help students manage weight issues. Therefore, it coming up with an ideal school, it would be important to involve active transport. However, this would be a challenge because some student lives far from schools. Therefore, expecting them to walk or run to school would be impractical since it would make them exhausted and arrive at school late hence affecting their concentration span. On the other hand, physical education lessons are important parts of any curriculum and school should ensure that they include one or two lessons for each grade to help adolescent manage weight and take exercise lessons.
An emerging type of movement requires students to take part in social activities. In doing so, an article written by Franklin end Streeter (1998) reports that there is a growing need for schools to come up with activities that link education to other human services. For example, the study reveals that schools should come up school-linked services that enable students to gain experiences in various human services sectors. The study reports that schools in America and other nations around the world require high school and college students to participate in services such as working part time. These are important activities, which aim at helping high school students who do not want to continue to college education or to take technical job opportunities that shape and equips them with knowledge and skills in these areas.
On the other hand, the study also reveals that such services enable college and university students to gain adequate professional skills and knowledge that are applicable in their future areas of specialization. Therefore, it is important to incorporate the needs for inter-professional relations with school activities so that the students can acquire effective knowledge and skills for their future professions. School-linked services provide activities that allow students to take up jobs that allow them to sharpen their knowledge and skills and even have experiences of what their future careers will entail. Similarly, such human services linked to the school curriculum also aid students in career choices because they get to experiences the type of work they will be doing and can decide to either stick with their choices or change to another course that are more interesting and appealing to them.
Studies have revealed that different factors affect the physical, psychological, and mental health of students.
A study by Paksaraian, Rudolph, He, Merikangas (2015) revealed that school start and end times had a positive correlation to the weekly bed and wake times among students the study also revealed that the tart time also had influences on the mental, physical, and psychological health of the students. According to this study, early start time such as 8 am up to a top time of 4 pm had a positive correlation to bed and wake time of the adolescents. The study revealed that is student started their classes early; they would leave school early such as 4 or 5 pm and hence would have enough time to prepare and go to bed early. On the same note, such student would also wake up early feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. On the same note, such start and end time of school would positively affect the physical, psychological, and mental status of the student. Therefore, in coming up with an ideal school, it would be important to consider the start and stop time off school sessions as it has a direct impact on the physical, psychological, and mental health of the students. Early start and stop time would benefit adolescent in helping them have an optimal start and appropriate end time that also allows them to go to bed and relax well for the next days’ activities.
Another important factor to consider when developing an ideal school is the preference of learning among students. A study by Eiszler (2003) reveals that adolescent and other high school students prefer the use of perceptual learning styles in their classrooms. According to this study, perceptual learning provides the adolescents with the ability to perceive different ideas provided to them during lessons. On the other hand, perceptual learning also makes it easy for teachers to create a learning environment that promotes a learner-centered approach towards learning. In doing so, the students get the chance to create knowledge hence forming effective learning abilities. Therefore, it is important to consider different learning styles or learning preferences that allow students to be involved in the development of knowledge. This aspect is important in that it will allow students to be able to come up with problem-solving skills as they progress to other higher levels of learning. It will also enable high school students to develop a habit of taking part in creating solutions to different problems as they take technical courses and as they proceed to universities.
An ideal school is a learning institution that covers various areas of learning. On the same note, an ideal school should consider economic, communal, and other aspects that affect students. Research studies have revealed that one factor of creating an ideal school is by coming up with uniforms that aim at promoting equality and social inclusion among students. On the other hand, it is important for educators to come up with school-linked activities that provide students with opportunities of practiced based learning. Practiced or professional based learning equip students with knowledge and skills for future career involvements. On the same note, coming up with a curriculum that I s relatively wide and that allows for skill and talent development is an important factor in creating an ideal school. Educators and school administrators must also consider factors such as learning styles, and grade preferences when creating an ideal school since they also have a positive correlation to student performances. On the same note, involving parents, weight management issues, and student-teacher ratios is another factor that it is important in the creation of an ideal school. On the same note, educators and teachers should ensure that they come p with school start and stop time that allows students enough time go to sleep early and wake up at the right time since these factor influences physical, psychology, and mental health and the general performances.
References
Berliner, D. (2011). Rational responses to high stakes testing: the case of curriculum. Cambridge Journal of Education. Vol. 41. Issue No. 3 , 287–302.
Bodine, A. (2003). School uniforms academic achievement and uses of research. Journal of Educational Research. Vol 3. 67-73.
Chansky, M., & Shaw, M. (1971). Developments of grading preference in high school students. Journal of education. Vol 93. Issue No 4 , 336-338.
Eiszler, C. (2003). Perceptual preferences as an aspect of adolescent learning styles. Journal of education. Vol 103. Issue No 3 , 231-243.
Franklin, C., & Srtreeter, C. (1998). School-Linked Services as Interprofessional Collaboration in Student Education. Journal of Social Work. Vol. 43, Issue No. 1 , 67-71.
Paksarian, D., Rudolph, K., He, J., & Merikangas, K. (2015). S ch o o l S t a r t aim e a n d Adoles ce n t Sleep P a tte rn s : R esu lts From the US National C om orbidity Survey— Adolescent Supplem ent. American Journal of Public Health. Vol 105, Issue No. 7 , 1357-1351.
Rodriguez, R., & Elbaum, B. (2014). The Role of Student–Teacher Ratio in Parents’ Perceptions of Schools’ Engagement Efforts. The Journal of Educational Research. Vol. 107 , 69–80,
Saarento, S., Garandeau, C., & Salmivalli, C. (2015). Classroom- and School-Level Contributions to Bullying and Victimization: A Review. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology . Vol. 25 , 204-218.
Slingerland, M., BorGhout, L., & Hesselink, M. (2012). Physical Activity Energy Expenditure in Dutch Adolescents: Contribution of Active Transport to School, Physical Education, and Leisure Time Activities. Journal of School Health. Vol. 82 , 225-232.
