News you can use about K-12 education
1. Uniform recommendations not uniform
School uniforms and dress codes may improve student behavior in the short run, but the jury's still out on whether they have a lasting effect, says Kim Johnson, an associate professor of design, housing and apparel at the U. "Preliminary results from a California study suggest uniforms helped student behavior," says Johnson. "But that may just be that early on, the kids felt they were in the spotlight and expected themselves to be better." Johnson cites another study in which parents were told uniforms would save them money. Actually, they spent more because uniforms couldn't be worn for after-school activities, and so they had to buy extra clothes for sports, etc. Many school dress codes were adopted as anti-gang measures, but kids can symbolize gang association with hairstyles or other methods, says Johnson. On the other hand, a uniform can symbolize that a person identifies with the school and can build school spirit; they also identify who belongs on campus and who ! doesn't. The bottom line is, uniforms and dress codes can't be force-fed: students, parents and school officials must agree on their presence and purpose. Contact Johnson at [email protected] or (612) 624-3687. News Service contact, Deane Morrison, [email protected], (612) 624-2346.
2. Ring them bells
The National Football League is so concerned about concussions--the league says about one player per team suffers a concussion every 3.5 games--that it formed a concussion committee in 1995. Nearly every player was given a test of motor and cognitive skills to be used for comparison in the event of a head injury. If the NFL is concerned about incidents in which there is a loss of consciousness, should high school football teams be concerned, too? Dr. Robert Maxwell, head of neurosurgery at the U, thinks so. Having one concussion makes you more likely to have another, and severe or multiple concussions may cause memory loss. The more concussions you've had, the more vulnerable you are to another. And because it's a cumulative injury, there's an issue whether an athlete who has had two or three concussions in a season should continue to play." Athletes who suffer a concussion during high school, then continu! e their athletic careers, should also be aware they seem to be more susceptible to future concussions. Sue Gerberich, from the U's department of environmental and occupational health, has done studies on concussions in high school football players, and also has extensive background on the topic. Maxwell is available at (612) 626-0137 or [email protected]. Gerberich is at (612) 625-5934 or [email protected]. News Service contact, Jim Thielman, [email protected], (612) 644-6824.
3. The Block-heads have it
Parents like it, teachers like it and most importantly, students like it. Block scheduling--a four-period school day instead of a six-or seven-period day-- seems to be one answer for problems facing junior high and high schools across Minnesota. The idea is to offer four classes per semester, rather than six to seven classes throughout the full year. Block scheduling allows students to complete a full-year course in half a year. "Students find it easier to concentrate on fewer subjects over a more intense period of time," says Carol Freeman, an education specialist with the U's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI). Classes last about 90 minutes and allow students to become more engaged in projects, discussions and issues. "Teachers enjoy block scheduling as they have to prepare for three classes each term rather than five over the entire year," says Freeman. "This allows them the ability to focus more intently on what they teach, as well as offering ! a better working climate." For more information on the benefits of block scheduling, contact Freeman at [email protected] or (612) 625-6541. News Service contact, Susan Ahn, [email protected], (612) 624-8038.
4. Rush hour
Shower, dress, rustle the kids, make breakfast, dress the kids, spill breakfast, redress the kids, dry hair, turn off the TV, fight over corn flakes or toast, scoop up the kids, race to the bus, race to work, fall into your chair already exhausted. Sound familiar? With school starting up again, the morning "rush" hour takes on a new meaning. "Trying to get the whole family fed, dressed and out the door can be a major challenge," says Dr. Martha Erickson of the U's Children Youth & Family Consortium. Erickson suggests these time saving-and battle reducing-ideas: Help your children lay out clothes the night before--everything, socks, outfit, underwear, shoes. Make a ritual out of bathing the night before. Make an effort to set the breakfast table the night before, even down to the box of cereal that will be served. Make sure all bags are packed, even your own, and set them by the door. A little pre-planning makes for more sane and happier mornings. For more information contact E! rickson at [email protected] or (612) 626-1212. News Service contact, Susan Ahn, [email protected], (612) 624-8038.
5. That math problem isn't the only reason kids may be scratching their heads
When many children are gathered together for extended periods, such as in daycare or classrooms, head lice can spread rampantly from child to child. "Children are susceptible to becoming infected with lice because they're always in close contact with one another, playing around or climbing on each other," said Dr. Laura Hoyt, assistant professor of pediatrics at the U. What can parent do? Hoyt says lice can only be spread by direct contact with someone who is already infected, so parents should advise children not to share hats, combs, brushes, barrettes, scarves or headphones. Although it's difficult to see the small, dark-colored lice, their white colored eggs, or nits, are easy to spot. The nits are attached at the hair shaft and usually have to be removed with a fine-tooth comb. The lice can be killed by over-the-counter, medicated shampoos. It's essential to pull off all of the nits, Hoyt recommends, otherwise the infestation of lice is likely to recur. Contact Hoyt at (6! 12) 624-1112. News service contact, Amy Johnson at [email protected], (612) 625-2640.
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