Wounded by School: Are outdated school policies hurting our children?

June 20, 2:31 PMNY Parenting Teens ExaminerJennifer Wagner

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I just read the new book by Kirsten Olson, "Wounded by School: Recapturing the joy in learning and standing up to old school culture" and if you are a student, parent or teacher, you should too. Today's schooling, with its focus on achievement tests and accountability is taking away the joy of learning from our students.

Many families in NYC use private schools and might think that they don't have to worry about this problem. According to Kristen Olson, her research has shown that kids from every type of school, including private, can be wounded by school. The wounding effects those from every race, class, gender and generation, whether a high or low achiever.

Why should you read this extremely illuminating book?

• If you are a student that is not enjoying school, you will begin to learn why.
• If you are a teacher and feel frustrated by the system, you can read about and find colleagues who are thinking about their work in new ways.
• If you are a parent you can learn how to keep your children intellectually and spiritually safe and well in school and how to work with school systems.

Schools need to reevaluate what their purpose is. Shouldn't the joy of learning, creativity and recognizing the differences in students be more important then trying to push all students into one middle of the road mold and teach for standardized testing? You will not be able to read "Wounded by School" without agreeing that our educational system needs fixing.

 For more info:
Wounded by School on Amazon
WhatAreKidsSaying: Creative outlet for kids and teens to express themselves
Freshbrain: Free website for teens to explore, connect and create with technology