BEYOND ACADEMICS 1

Beyond Academics

Dimitrius Ventura

Los Angeles Leadership Academy

BEYOND ACADEMICS 2

Abstract

This research illustrates the importance of schools and the impact they have on the lives of

students. There is more to school than education, there is the environment around them that can

affect their lifestyle. Schools are more than just place to learn about academics, this essay will

focus on students psychology based on the levels of stress around their environments and peers

around them.

Keywords: Academics, Development, Community, Teachers, Students, Schools,

Environment, Poverty, Outcomes, Education

Point #1: Schools ability

Can schools impact a childs well-being beyond school academics and so they can have

a huge impact on their experience? Students experiences at school are different from a teachers

perspective. Teachers that intend to assist their students developmental path, and can motivate

students, can help increase their fulfilled life. Helping students to develop their skills will

increase chances at a life filled with choices and skills needed to achieve their goals. A

quote,Students will be more engaged in learning and utilize the academic side if schools

faculty are helping them get motivated to develop their education (Shwartz, 2015). Schools

working with students should recognize the importance of their well-being, developing and give

them opportunities to try when they are at their low. This can help teens to get a safe space when

they need it the most, due to the situations they might have at home that they get away from and

focus on academics.

It is important that students feel they have the ability to influence the outcomes of their

lives. A statement,Having an effect to be able to manage ones learning environment, and the
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ability of a student's emotions and behavior can predict their outcomes of their lives

(Shwartz,2015). The process of getting to know oneself during schools memorable moments

when a student is in their childhood. Forming an identity of discovery plays into the process of

figuring out ones motivations, values, and goals that are experienced throughout school. All of

these factors play a role in determining how successful a child will turn out to be. Having an

identity determines if a student has the motivation to keep pursuing their passion for success.

Having no passion can lead to their future ending up in failure, ruining what opportunity they

had.

Point #2: Poverty

But the question is, can school effect beyond academics? School environments can affect

the health of students academic and social stresses experienced by students. Unsafe

environments can also have direct effects on the health by living near a dangerous environments

such as getting into fights, or be injured. Educational outcomes are one of the key areas

influenced by family incomes. An article states The negative effects of poverty in school

environments have been widely shown and accepted in neighborhoods. This remains to be a fact

of life that have a lot of children in a continuing concern (Marin, 2008). Furthermore, being at a

state of poverty has its disadvantages, not being able to have any leg room has a negative

influence on students motivation to go to school, and their grade academics.

This decreases the risk factors in a child's potential for development and achieving a

educational goal. Parenting in a good environment may lead a child to have good behavior,

social responsiveness, and positive role models. A statement,The positive support will increase

school readiness in a child compared a child from low-income family that do not receive social
BEYOND ACADEMICS 2

skills required to prepare them for school (Ferguson, 2007). Having a environment that is

riddled with negative features cant help a students needs for education. Being in a school that

embraces them to learn, and to collaborate with others can bring a better community in school.

Point #3: Social Impact

The support of peers and teachers at school can have important consequences for a

student's well-being. Friends of a student are people who care about them at school and feel

connected to the school which makes them more likely to be academically motivated. In

addition, friends can motivate students to stay away from variety of negative behaviors such as

drug use, and violence tendencies. A quote, Not only can friends assist students in their

education but they also can relate with students during extreme times (Marin,2008). Having

friends can bring relationships, cheering on those who need help at the time at need.

Teachers support can also be expressed in a simple way, they can talk to their students

and caring for their well-being, creating rules that are fair, and allowing in class

decision-making. An article stating,A positive relationship with a teacher may motivate student

to learn, participate more in class, or increase a positive behavior towards academics.

Furthermore, teacher support may help students psychologically (Partners in school,2013).

While schools are shaping many aspects of students lives, their core focus should be on the

development of academic knowledge and skills as well as their psyche & and overall wellbeing.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the ability to perform roles, complete complex tasks and achieve specific

objectives requires a set of personal skills and critical thinking skills. To an extent a person will

need this to depend on what path they choose. The main purpose of education is to prepare
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students academically. An article quote,Schools are increasingly called upon to develop

civically engaged youths who will carry those assets into adulthood. Schools can influence

students to become informed and engage in participation (Rivkin, 2013).

In such complex environments, school policies targeting goals need to be considered in a

larger scale in school districts. Such an approach will ensure that goals in one area will not be

sacrificed for others. Quote from an article,However, policies that go on inside school walls

must coordinate with their practices with the rest of the community. With the environment

students are around it can shape the way they think about their future and what they are going to

do with it (Cohen, 2016). Schools should recognize the importance of giving opportunities to

students. The education of many can shape the way of the future for those who are struggling in

poverty.
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References

Cohen, Rachel,(2016).School Closures on Students and Communities AlterNet:

Retrieved from
http://www.alternet.org/education/devastating-impact-school-closures-students-and-communities
Ferguson, HB, (2007). The Impact of poverty on educational outcomes for children
Paediatr Child Health: Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2528798/
Marin, Pilar,(2008). The School Environment And Adolescent Well-Being Beyond
Academics Child Trends Research Brief; Retrieved from
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/77fa/ca52802e8bab856d5e29ee3860de606d7f30.pdf
Partners in Schools,(2013). Impact Partner In School Innovation: Retrieved from
http://www.partnersinschools.org/impact/
Rivkin, Steven, (2013). School Leaders Matter Education Next: Retrieved from
http://educationnext.org/school-leaders-matter/
Schwartz, Katrina, (2015). Beyond Academics: What a Holistic Approach to Learning
Could Look Like Mindshift: Retrieved from
https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/07/06/beyond-academics-what-a-holistic-approach-to-learn
ing-could-look-like/