A majority of students across the country are enrolled in public schools, which has a direct influence on the adolescents of America. Students both introverted and extraverted are impacted by their educational environment, which can effect their ability to learn. It all starts with the teacher providing the information, and it ends with the students obtaining the skills they need to acquire, but there’s a lot more that comes with public schools besides the actual curriculum. When it comes to priorities, students must consider sports, being involved in the school, social status, stress of schoolwork, and so much more. Going to public school is incredibly demanding for those who wish to succeed.
Depending on the kind of public school a student goes to, their education will be affected at a standardized level. Some schools are given more funding and are therefore able to afford more technology, host more events, and help supply different students with aids of learning. These schools are also able to afford to pay for many different teachers that are more skilled and experienced in their specific craft. Support from a wealthier community helps their local schools in many different ways. Unfortunately, the location of the school can play a big role in how much support a school has financially, which can determine how much a school is able to support its students. This ultimately means that the more money or wealth a school has, the more resources it is able to acquire, leading to potential inequalities simply based on geographic location and local governments. Karla Rohr (12) emphasized how the funding of schools impacts her the most. She explained that the more access to materials that are high quality and long-lasting, the better a student’s learning experience will be. “Materials and resources such as technology make learning more accessible and easy for students,” she said.
This can be hard on students who may live in places that are not as wealthy, which can limit the amount of resources available for those students. When it comes to the amount of extracurriculars a school provides for students, sports that require expensive gear may have a harder time with funding. The budget may be so low that certain sports can’t be afforded, which impacts students drastically who care about playing them. This is a difficult situation for those who live in low-income families because the support for students can be less imperative. Students can’t control where they live because of the background of how their families came to be, and navigating education can be harder for those in more challenging circumstances.
Underfunding is a result of local property tax values not being as high, which happens often in communities of many low-income families. On top of that, state budgets can fluctuate based on the economic conditions, educational policies prioritizing some schools and programs over others, cost for administrative staff, and the decline of student enrollment, all of which limit funding for these schools.
One example of this is Moses Lake High School, located in Moses Lake, Washington, where there was an $11 million accounting error that set back the school dramatically in their finances. This summer, the school had to raise $2.6 million to keep their extracurriculars alive. This kind of situation is incredibly demoralizing for students who are passionate about their sport or club and are unable to participate in it simply because the school lacks the funds to supply it.
A comparison between school districts more locally, like South Kitsap and Tacoma public schools, can be an example that focuses on how funds are impactful. Tacoma has historically received a mix of local levies and state funding, while South Kitsap relies more heavily on state funding. This influences program availability and teacher support, which brings limitations in South Kitsap schools because of the lack of funding locally. Student demographics also play a role in what is available for students to use as resources. Ultimately, while funding is a critical component affecting educational outcomes, the interplay of demographics, programs, and community support also plays a significant role.
A lack of transportation may prevent students who seek a better extracurricular or educational program from attending a different school. Additionally, financial issues may prevent buses from being able to pick up certain students.
Within the classroom, students also must adapt to the teaching techniques of different teachers. While one instructor might be able to teach one student effectively, the next could teach differently, in a way that said student does not understand. This can be difficult for students and teachers alike, which can set a student back from being able to understand the content that is being explained to them. “The teacher you have impacts the learning environment immensely, and a teacher that creates a welcoming environment and shows they care about the students can change a student’s perspective on school and learning overall,” Rohr said. Grace Ludlow (12) stated, “Personally, the kind of teacher I have impacts not only my interest in the class itself but in my effort and care for the class work.” Kimi Decastro (12) explained, “A teacher who can acknowledge that everyone processes differently and cater to those needs is super important for learning and understanding what’s being taught.”.
Teachers who must accommodate students that have any type of learning disability can be a struggle as well, because they need to get through the content in a timely manner, and distractions and disruptions can contradict that.
Besides the technical aspects of school, there is a lot more that comes on a social level that students, especially in high school, take very seriously. The desire to be popular, a great athlete, and an intelligent student is something that students find to be extremely important to them. Teenagers care about who they are and what other people think of them. Social media, especially, is an avenue where students are influenced and seek to influence others about how they wish to be viewed. Social expectations affect what students wear and how they speak to others. This type of online and in-person social influence is a battle for students who seek to be accepted and form relationships with their peers. “Students are so impacted by their social surroundings at school because of the amount of time they are in the environment and how they’re being shaped by conversations and interactions at school every day,” said Decastro. Additionally, Ludlow claimed, “Students are impacted by their [school] surroundings because it’s where [they] spend a majority of their time, and being around others constantly can cause positive or negative feelings.” Rohr reiterated, “Students, especially in high school, want to fit in and find a strong community at school.”
Education is a huge part of the development of students, and the environment where students are receiving that education has a significant impact on the outcome. Friends, family, and teachers all affect how a student learns. Even how early school starts can have an impact on the alertness of students when it comes to processing information in classes. It is critical that it is understood that public schools aren’t just a place for students to be educated; they are also places for students to be shaped by their environment, and it is the responsibility of the school and community to make sure that the environment is one that will support and help the students grow.