Healthier Students Are Better Learners: A Missing Link in School Reforms to Close the Achievement Gap

Autor/in	Basch, Charles E.
Titel	Healthier Students Are Better Learners: A Missing Link in School Reforms to Close the Achievement Gap
Quelle	In: Journal of School Health, 81 (2011) 10, S.593-598 (6 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0022-4391
DOI	10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00632.x
Schlagwörter	Achievement Gap; Physical Activities; Health Programs; Academic Achievement; Hyperactivity; Pregnancy; Governance; Student Motivation; Minority Group Children; School Restructuring; Child Health; Urban Youth; Vision; Diseases; Adolescents; Aggression; Violence; Attention Deficit Disorders; Attribution Theory; Schemata (Cognition); Student School Relationship; Sensory Experience; Attendance; Dropouts; Accountability + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Schulleistung; Hyperaktivität; Schwangerschaft; Education; Educational policy; Financing; Steuerung; Bildung; Erziehung; Bildungspolitik; Finanzierung; Schulische Motivation; Schulreformplan; Schulumwandlung; Urban area; Urban areas; Youth; Stadtregion; Stadt; Jugend; Disease; Krankheit; Adolescent; Adolescence; Adoleszenz; Jugendalter; Jugendlicher; Gewalt; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; ADHS; Aufmerksamkeits-Defizit-Hyperaktivitäts-Störung; Aufmerksamkeitsstörung; Cognition; Schema; Kognition; Schüler-Lehrer-Beziehung; Sinnerfahrung; Anwesenheit; Drop-out; Drop-outs; Dropout; Early leavers; Schulversagen; Verantwortung
Abstract	Objectives: This article provides an introduction to the October 2011 special issue of the "Journal of School Health" on "Healthier Students Are Better Learners." Methods: Literature was reviewed and synthesized to identify health problems affecting school-aged youth that are highly prevalent, disproportionately affect urban minority youth, directly and indirectly causally affect academic achievement, and can be feasibly and effectively addressed through school health programs and services. Results: Based on these criteria, 7 educationally relevant health disparities were selected as strategic priorities to help close the achievement gap: (1) vision, (2) asthma, (3) teen pregnancy, (4) aggression and violence, (5) physical activity, (6) breakfast, and (7) inattention and hyperactivity. Research clearly shows that these health problems influence students' motivation and ability to learn. Disparities among urban minority youth are outlined, along with the causal pathways through which each adversely affects academic achievement, including sensory perceptions, cognition, school connectedness, absenteeism, and dropping out. Evidence-based approaches that schools can implement to address these problems are presented. These health problems and the causal pathways they influence have interactive and a synergistic effect, which is why they must be addressed collectively using a coordinated approach. Conclusions: No matter how well teachers are prepared to teach, no matter what accountability measures are put in place, no matter what governing structures are established for schools, educational progress will be profoundly limited if students are not motivated and able to learn. Particular health problems play a major role in limiting the motivation and ability to learn of urban minority youth. This is why reducing these disparities through a coordinated approach warrants validation as a cohesive school improvement initiative to close the achievement gap. Local, state, and national policies for implementing this recommendation are suggested. (Contains 1 figure.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10