Social services &045; the new reality in schools

Dear Editor:

Millions of Americans each week watch the televised reality shows.

The biggest reality show in the country today involves public schools, and no one can be voted off.

Federal and state governments have increased funding for public education in recent years.

This funding extends beyond the confines of classroom academics.

The new reality in America’s public education is that schools are offering a wide range of social services to students.

Student sex education, driver education, and student meals have been common features for decades.

Changes over the years in society have also included public schools.

Today, public schools are increasingly providing a wide range of social services such as programs to prevent gang violence, anti-obesity classes, suicide prevention, alcohol and drug abuse seminars, childcare to teenage mothers, AIDS prevention, after-school tutoring, crisis intervention, medical care, conflict resolution training, and the like.

Policymakers in the state of Alabama have made a concerted effort to provide each student in the state with the medical services of a school nurse.

Healthy children tend to perform well academically than those who are in poor health.

Throughout the United States, it has become exceedingly popular to transfer social services responsibilities to public schools.

The non-academic role of the typical American educator has greatly expanded.

If politicians continue to be liberal in funding social programs, the American public school educator’s non-academic role will widen.

The social services some public schools provide can characterize them as &8220;full-service schools&8221; or &8220;family resource centers&8221;.

America’s public schools offer family assistance.

Gerald Shirley

Principal

School of Discovery