Racial Disparity in School Discipline

By Dr. Dee Carter

In 2012 the U.S. Department of Education released information concluding that there is an alarming amount of racial disparity when it comes to discipline in our schools.  It seems that youth of color encounter more severe disciplinary actions including the involvement of law enforcement.  Harsh punishments like being expelled or suspended, removed an opportunity for the child to learn.  This form of discipline is counterproductive.  The data also revealed that suspensions were rendered for minor offenses; one that previously would have been resolved in school.

Students who are expelled repetitively tend to academically fall behind, have an increased school dropout rate and are more likely to be involved in the juvenile justice system.   If educators are to address this issue in a way that will be beneficial for the youth, they will have to feel compelling pressure from parents and dedicated youth advocates; in addition to adapting a major shift in their philosophy.

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The Impact of Technology on Toddlers

By Dr. Dee Carter

Are toddlers too young for tablets?

In the world of technology even our toddlers are requesting gifts like tablets, iPads and iTunes gift cards. Parents have found that their children are not as interested in toys but prefer the luxury technology has to offer.  Here is something to think about as it pertains to your youngster.

Psychotherapists have said that children need to play with toys. This interaction helps them with self-esteem, connecting with others and developing creativity.  Research has shown that computer games have so much sensory input that the brain finds it difficult to focus on one activity and eventually its ability to stay focused is impaired.  Pediatricians in the UK believe the widespread screen time used by toddlers is impacting their attention span and concentration, in addition to appetite.

The solution to these unwanted issues is to still encourage your child to play! This will improve your their creativity, mental development and overall physical health.

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Additional Resources

Kidspot

Spoonful
Today’s Parent


 

 

 

 

Protect Your Children from Social Network Threats

By Dr. Dee Carter

Remember the days of hanging out after school walking home or riding the bus with friends. Remember rushing home because you couldn’t wait to call your friend from the house phone to him/her the exciting events of the day.  I remember those days well, but our youth of today won’t have memories like this because social media has significantly altered the way we communicate. 

Today most of us keep in touch with each other through social network sites (SNS).  Young adults, however, have taken it to the extreme.  They use SNS to communicate even when they are in the same room with each other. Social media has made it more convenient to shared information instantly, communicate with friends around the world and connect with new friends without leaving home. These advances make life easier for us but they also have their setbacks.

Most youth search for personal & health information on SNS.  Some of this information should continue to come from home through a parent or guardian, but when kids don’t feel comfortable asking someone, it is good that they can access information related to sensitive and tough questions. Despite the luxury and ease of communication today, there are some short comings with social media.  The same issues we experience in face-to-face relationships occur virtually.  SNS are used to incite bullying (girls ages 16-17 more frequently than boys), relationship abuse, promiscuous behavior & sexual predation.

Just last Tuesday a 12 year old girl jumped to her death after being bullied by her classmates. "Even though your child may seem normal, there may be something else going on" her mother stated to CNN.  Ask your child if they have been a victim of any of these offenses; know your child’s status. A way to protect them is through open dialogue about their social network pages. It is not recommended that parents threaten to take computers/phones away in order to monitor what your child is doing. Experts say this forces them to be more secretive.

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Resources for Parents

CommonSenseMedia.org
Safekids.org
Enough.org
StoyCyberbullying.org
SafetyNet.aap.org

College Admission Deadlines Quickly Approaching...Here's What You Should Do

By Dr. Dee Carter

Attention parents and high school seniors, college admission deadlines are quickly approaching and if you aren't paying attention you could miss an opportunity.  Many colleges have early admission deadlines which are usually due in the beginning of November.  Fall semester college admission application due dates are generally from December to January for most universities.

Here are a few key instructions you should follow to ensure your application will be completed correctly and thoroughly:

• Read instructions carefully
• Provide all the information requested
• Submit all data by the deadlines
• Make sure your work is neat
• Have someone review your application for errors or omissions, before you submit it
• Create a college folder and make a copy of everything you submit for your records

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) created a Preparing for College: Senior Checklist which provides monthly steps for seniors to follow as they begin this tedious process.

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Graphic Cigarette Ads Are Working To Deter Smoking in Teens

By Dr. Dee Carter





In Britain, graphic and direct health warnings on cigarette packets has deterred  33 percent of teenagers from picking up the habit of smoking. Australia was the first country in the world to  have cigarette packs covered in warnings.  Here in the U.S. some of the nation's largest tobacco companies are suing the government to block these types of warnings from appearing on cigarette packs. The government had decided to drop this legal fight and asked the Food and Drug Administration to redo the nine graphic warning labels they proposed.  These labels were to included images of diseased lungs and a man exhaling cigarette smoke through a tracheotomy hole in his throat.
In the U.S. lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men and women.  Ninety percent of smokers begin before the age of 21. Each day 3,600 youth under the age of 18 smoke their first cigarette and the lungs of a teenager who smokes will not develop fully; putting them at a higher risk for lung disease.

Although our cigarette labels are not as harsh as those in other countries, our television and billboard ads have been.  Surveys suggest that this anti-smoking campaign has encouraged smokers to quit and distracted the teen non smoker from starting this addictive habit.

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Defending Our Classrooms: Bulletproof Whiteboards

By Dr. Dee Carter

 

As a defense response to protect the safety of students on the campus of University of Maryland Eastern Shore, they purchased 200 bulletproof whiteboards. The university president, Juliette Bell, told CNN that the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut last December which killed 20 children was a factor in making this decision.

The company that manufactures the bulletproof whiteboard is called Hardwire Armor Systems. Their products are mainly for homeland security, SWAT and police forces, but due to the increase in school shootings the whiteboards are being introduced to schools and universities around the country.  The whiteboards are 18-by-20 inches and weigh less than four pounds which makes it very easy to manipulate.

Some critics believe this is a costly investment; the bulletproof whiteboards cost three hundred dollars each, and may create a false since of security, but so does installing metal detectors and other security measures. With the increase in violence in the workplace and in our schools something needs to be done. Other products Hardwire produces for the classroom include bulletproof backpack insert, peel-n-stick doors and  clipboards.

This week a middle school student in Nevada opened fire on students and deadly shot a teacher that was trying to help. This teacher was a Marine and served several tours in Afghanistan.  It is possible that having these whiteboards or some other type of bulletproof armor in the school may have protected him from this violent act.

Schools across the country have begun implementing security plans and emergency response procedures. Do you know what safety procedure your school or job, for that matter, has in place? Ask; it's better safe than sorry.

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Steps to Youth Empowerment

By Dr. Dee Carter, Youth Advocate & Life Coach

The model for empowering youth is fairly simple.  It is being used by organizations around the world and if adopted by individuals we, as a society, would be able to improve the social progress and economic growth of young people.

 Steps for youth empowerment:

• Promote positive mental health and well being
• Provide a safe and trusting environment
• Encourage and strengthen youth leadership within the school environment
• Create partnerships with businesses, local groups & churches that will provide mentorships, internships and business opportunities

If you know of organizations in your area that are doing a great job empowering our youth and the disenfranchised, please post a comment and share this information in order to support the efforts of these groups.

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Additional Resources:
Youth Empowerment Project
Puppetry Arts
Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES)