Schools & Society's Troubles

An editorial in today's Globe asserts that many of the disciplinary problems that arise in schools are the direct result of physical and mental trauma experienced outside of the school by the misbehaving student. In-class anger, rudeness or withdrawal can be symptoms or reactions to dealing with out-of-school problems such as violence or abandonment in the home. The editorial commends a new state program that provides funding for training teachers at 20 state schools to recognize and deal with these situations. This, of course, is just a drop in the bucket. Much more is needed to address these types of situations but society does not seem to have the commitment to provide schools with the amount of money needed to deal with such problems. But it's not simply a question of pouring money into schools. "Solving" the problems with public education will require a far greater effort from all echelons of government, not just those in the education establishment.