OBSERVATION:
Results from The Metropolitan Life Survey of the
American Teacher, 1999 may provide some context for the finding that stu-
dents view getting along together as an important issue. Last year's study
revealed that violence and concern about violence affects many students:
·
One-quarter (25%) of students in grades 7 - 12 have been the victim
of a violent act in or around school;
·
Three in ten (29%) students in grades 7 - 12 are worried about being
physically attacked in or around school; and
·
One-quarter (23%) of students in grades 7 - 12 are concerned about
school shootings happening in their school.
A father of a 9th grade boy illustrates the concern with this issue by giving the fol-
lowing suggestion for what America's teachers can do to help his child succeed in life:
"Have mandatory classes that teach how to get along even when you don't like some-
one." How well are schools preparing students in getting along with other people?
Four in ten students (36%) and parents (38%) give their school a "C" or lower in this
area. Teachers are least likely to say that schools are doing a poor job, with only one-
quarter (26%) giving their school a "C" or lower (Exhibit 5.2).
Exhibit 5.2
Grading Schools on Getting Along
Q430 How would you grade your teachers in preparing you in the following areas? Getting
along with other people
Q530/Q510 How would you grade the quality of education in [your child's/your] school in
preparing your [child/students] in the following areas? Getting along with other people
Report Card
"Getting Along"
Secondary
Secondary
Secondary
School
School
School
Students
Parents
Teachers
1067*
855
1010
%
%
%
A or B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
C or lower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
D or F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
No Answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
*School Respondents Only
61
