Teachable Moments

Working with a mentor in college is invaluable and will benefit students long after they graduate. My colleague, Tom Martin, founder of the Martin Center for Mentorship at the College of Charleston, says mentoring isn’t just something for students or recent graduates – it’s a lifelong process.

Students in South Carolina are more likely to access mental health services in schools than in any other setting. However, the state has struggled to decrease the ratio of counselors to students and in 2022, reported one mental health counselor for every 1,300 students. 

The mental health of adolescents remains a serious and growing problem. In 2021, 42% of high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless, up from 26% in 2009. Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.

More than 124 million children across the world are considered obese. Childhood obesity leads to poor mental and physical health outcomes and sets them up for a lifelong trajectory of poor health. Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.

In recent years, college professors have been sounding the alarm about a decline in students’ reading abilities. Many educators report that even highly motivated students are struggling to comprehend and analyze complex texts.  Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology recently released a toolkit to help K-12 leaders integrate artificial intelligence. The guidance, focusing on mitigating risks, strategically using AI, and enhancing classroom learning, arrives as many schools still lack an AI policy.   Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.

Kindergarteners used to spend time coloring, cutting with scissors and building with blocks. However, this approach has changed to teacher-led instruction in reading and math. Many young students missed out on essential learning experiences during the pandemic, making it more crucial to implement recovery efforts.

Teachers dedicate countless hours and significant funds to support their students. Recent data indicates that teachers spend about $800 out of their own pockets each year on everything from pens and pencils to cleaning supplies and snacks.

Standards-based grading has faced scrutiny in recent years. Educators question the effectiveness of letter and percentage grades, which have been the standard for over a century.

South Carolina education officials recently released the 2023-2024 school report cards, compiled by the Department of Education and the Education Oversight Committee.

The National Education Association reports that over 90% of educators believe student mental health is a serious issue, with social media and personal device use being major contributors. Starting January of 2025, the South Carolina Department of Education will implement a ban on cell phones in classrooms.

Transitioning from high school to college can be challenging, especially for students with intellectual disabilities.

Conflict resolution is one of the most valuable life skills students learn in school. Disagreements are an important part of collaborating as a team, and research shows that cognitive muscles are strengthened when students are exposed to ideas that challenge them to think differently. 

The beginning of the school year brings challenges and excitement for students and families. One of the most concerning issues is being accepted by peers. 

Starting in 2025, South Carolina will introduce changes to the math curriculum for students from kindergarten to 12th grade.

As we observe National Dyslexia Awareness Month this October, it’s important to recognize the challenges students and families face.

With the increasing use of AI tools in education, the focus on ensuring students’ authentic work and deterring cheating has become paramount for teachers and schools, particularly in middle and high school settings.

Jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM fields, pay significantly higher salaries and are growing faster than other sectors, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The start of the school year is an exciting time, but it can be stressful for families with children who have food allergies. 

One of the most important indicators of student success is a sense of belonging. Students who feel like they belong at school are more engaged and make a bigger effort. 

Making decisions about your child’s education starts early. One of the first decisions a parent makes is whether their child is ready to begin kindergarten or should be held back a year, a practice known as academic redshirting. This trend is more common among higher-income families, especially those with boys born in summer months.

One of the biggest transitions for first-year college students is moving away from home and into a residence hall with a roommate.

Many parents and caregivers dread the arrival of the back-to-school supply list. Navigating towering aisles of binders, erasers and disinfectant wipes while trying to stay on budget is hard. The National Retail Federation estimates the average family will spend almost $1,000 on school supplies this year.

The longer days of summer are here, which means more time to be active outdoors. However, record-breaking temperatures can lead to illnesses like heat stroke and exhaustion when temperatures are above 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Summer reading is an excellent way to keep students engaged with books and literacy skills.