How can the community contribute to education?

Teachers and faculty are not the only people who have an influence on the academic performance of students. The community that the school district is in plays a key role in the education that children receive. There are community based organizations, also known as CBO’s, that give local members the opportunity to improve community problems such as school funds or budget votes for the children to get better supplies. Nonprofit organizations are a form of a CBO and there needs to be more citizen led organizations to help the students.

After School Programs

Every community, especially low income, should have a center that has after school programs for students in all grades. This will give the children an extra push in their studies because they will get the help that they might not be getting in their classes. Teachers are not perfect, it is difficult for them to manage so many students and satisfy their academic needs. If there were a program full of people qualified to help the students with their schoolwork after school, it gives the teachers less pressure to cater to all of the students because he/she knows that they will be getting extra help.

Technical Assistance

We are in a new era where technical skills are crucial for academic excellence in higher education. During these unprecedented times, students need to get more computer savvy in order to do well in their classes. Many low income school districts struggle to acquire quality technology for the students to use in class, which disables them from getting accustomed to the “new normal” of computer based learning. If these students do not get the proper technological resources they will struggle tremendously in the classroom will lead to poor grades. If CBO’s could provide programs that provide technical assistance and training this will help the students excel in this new form of learning. Furthermore, this will give access to those who do not have the funds for buying a computer. Building strong technical skills is essential for college preparation because when attending a university a laptop is required to do your schoolwork. Being proficient with Microsoft Excel and other softwares are expected from professors and a lack of technical skills can hinder a student’s performance. Incorporating tech based programs such as STEM will aid in building students’ skill sets with computers such as keyboarding, understanding softwares, and being able to send files.

References

Shinn, Marybeth & Yoshikawa, Hirokazu (2008) Toward Positive Youth Development: Transforming Schools and Community Programs. Oxford University Press USA.

https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.gate.lib.buffalo.edu/lib/buffalo/reader.action?docID=416001&