EDC+102H+F13+-+Importance+of+Curricular+Activities

= How do curricular programs affect a student's achievement? =

I. Description of Problem or Issue
Lead Editor: Jenna Our issue was how curricular programs affect a student's achievement.Curricular programs are programs such as math, science, and art. Due to recent changes in schools, some curricular programs have been cut from schools, thus negatively impacting a student's achievement. Race to the Top is one effort to increase funding for schools, in order to keep curricular programs. Some schools fundraise and petition in order to keep curricular programs in their districts, but unfortunately not all efforts have been successful.

**II. Relevance of Problem or Issue in Rhode Island Schools** Lead Editor: Kayla

This issue is relevant in Rhode Island because every school has its curricular programs, and it is important to be aware of there effect on a student's achievement. Each class taught in schools effects each student differently. Also, after doing research in the beginning of the year, we learned that in Rhode Island there are many communities with different economic status, and therefore many schools with families from different incomes. This also effects the curricular programs because areas of lower income are not focusing as equally on all of the curricular programs and therefore the achievement of students tends to be lower in those areas. Furthermore, after the research from the beginning of the year, we know that funding for curricular in each district is different and can vary a lot from one district to the next. This, too, will effect the student's achievement.

III. Relevance of Problem or Issue to the Charter Schools Movement
Lead Editor: Haley

While the research on out issue did not directly relate to charter schools, it helps to give an idea of how curricular programs could play out in charter schools in order to improve the academic achievement of each student. Each of us researched a specific branch that had to do with curricular programs and found out that more focus on them can improve a student's academic achievement greatly. Funding plays a big role in curricular programs, and since charter schools are typically provided with more money, they would have an easier time funding different programs. Since region can also play a role in the academic achievement of different students, having charter schools in many different areas will help as well because it would allow students the ability to attend a school that will help them to focus more on their curricular classes. Each subject also plays a specific role. Art could be offered in charter schools and that would increase students academic achievement, and the same could happen for math, science, physical education, and foreign language. All of these are typical programs that are offered at schools and could be easily focused on during the school day. Having more charter schools would allow for more students to have to opportunity to have good academic programs with the necessary funding so they could reap the full benefits of the programs. Public schools also offer these same opportunities, and the difference really lies with how much time and money can be put into the programs, as well as the level of interest of the students and the teachers.

IV. Research Summary
Jenna's research shows that funding for curricular programs plays a big role in a student's achievement. Without adequate funding, schools cannot provide necessary programs for students. These programs help students do well on standardized tests, and their overall achievement in school, which affects their future. Rebecca's research shows that physical education and foreign language play an important role in student achievement, especially in standardized test scores. One hour of physical activity a day will increase a student's GPA, performance on standardized tests, and long-term social and behavioral patterns. In addition, foreign language is critical for improving mental flexibility, which will be beneficial on standardized tests.

Haley's research was on math and science and their effect on a student's academic achievement. Both of these subject areas appear on standardized tests, they are often not focused on as well as they should be in schools. Research shows that teachers feel like they are teaching to the test and therefore their students are not obtaining a full understanding of the subject content. For this reason, some schools have also looked into creating different tests to allow for students to have more open answer questions where they are able to show what they do know rather than just choosing a right or wrong answer. There have been studies showing that doing math problems and understanding problem solving can help to improve working memory as well as retrieval from long term memory. It is very apparent that these two subject matters contribute a lot to the academic achievement of students.

V. Group Product Overview
Lead editor: Rebecca Our group decided to present using a Prezi. On the Prezi, we open up with introducing our question of how curricular programs affect student achievement. Each group member will have a slide on the Prezi in which they will talk about their research and findings. Once each group member presents her information, Haley will introduce our class activity- jeopardy. The class will be divided into two teams and take turns answering a questions about different curricular programs offered in schools, such as art, physical education, math, science, and history. After jeopardy, Haley will say a sentence or two tying the game into student achievement. Then, each group member will ask a discussion question regarding our topic. Kayla beings by asking how different curricular programs affected your education; Jenna follows her by asking if there are any certain curricular programs you feel have helped you more than others; Sam goes next, asking if there were any unique programs in your school; Rebecca ends the discussion by stating that some schools are cutting back time from physical education and recess because they feel that the time could be better spend and then asks if you believe this will be harmful or beneficial to children. Finally, once the discussion questions are over, Haley will have a few closing remarks and end our presentation.

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VII. Research Questions and Reference Summaries

 * || **Research Question** || **Researcher** ||
 * 1. || How do the arts affect a student's achievement? || Sam ||
 * 2. || How does a region affect a student's achievement in certain curricular programs? || Kayla ||
 * 3. || @How do foreign language and physical education affect a student's achievement? || Rebecca ||
 * 4. || How does funding for curricular programs affect students achievement? || Jenna ||
 * 5. || How do math and science affect a student's achievement? || Haley ||

VIII. Group Reaction/Opinion(s) about Issue
Lead Editor: Sam We think that curricular programs are necessary for students’ academic achievement. Some underappreciated courses include art, music, physical education and foreign language. These courses, despite being overlooked by administrators financially, leave a large impact on students that can help determine their success later on in life. The courses provide students with the motivation they need to go to school and succeed. They are the classes of which students look forward to. They are the reason that students attend school. We believe that the funding for curricular programs should be the same among all subjects to guarantee that every student has an opportunity to focus on their interests as well as to gain the lessons that these courses teach. Each course benefits students in a particular way. These benefits, while not always completely obvious, do in fact help students not only on standardized tests but also later in life. We believe that curricular programs do indeed benefit students and are a necessary part of a students’ academic achievement.

Based upon our individual research topics, we each have our own opinions on the emphasis certain things have on a student’s achievement. Jenna found that funding has a big impact on a student’s achievement. Schools with the same amount of funding for all curricular programs would help to close the achievement gap in America. If every subject had the same budget, it would allow students to have a fair chance at learning each and every subject. Certain subjects would not be overlooked while others receive an unfair amount of attention. Sam agrees with this particularly with the arts. Administrators often overlook these classes because they do not appear on high stakes testing. However, the lessons these classes teach can benefit students for standardize tests. They provide the child with a sense of creativity and critical thinking that can help the child later in their academic career. Becca finds that the same goes for physical education and foreign language courses. Physical activity not only helps the child’s health but also increases their performance on standardized tests, social and behavioral patterns and increases attendance rates. The study of a foreign language immerses the student to a new culture which allows them to become academically flexible which will help with standardize test scores because students will be able to easily answer questions by using the same part of their brain as they use when speaking a different language. Kayla believes that it shouldn’t matter where a school is located, every school should supply students with basic core classes. She believes that both minority as well as majority students would benefit from these classes. Haley agreed with this point especially when it came to minority students. They are generally the ones who benefit the most from curricular programs. She does believe however that curricular programs should be modified by the students needs. Meaning that if a student required extra time on an assignment, that should be granted to them. Overall, everyone believes that curricular programs play an important role in the academic achievement of students.