Education

It's time to evaluate schools based on student health

It's time to evaluate schools based on student health

Course with employment: "The profession of a methodologist from scratch to PRO"

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Photo: Dmitry Zelivansky's Facebook page*

Director of Commercial Programs and Head of the "Second Shift" and "Correspondence School" projects at the New School. Previously, he held the position of Director at the Institute of Modern Childhood, part of the "World of Childhood" company. He also worked as Director of Teaching Methodology and a partner at ActionLearning. He has extensive experience in educational programs and project management, which allows him to effectively develop innovative approaches to education.

In his new post, Dmitry presented ideas aimed at encouraging schools to care for student health. These proposals will help educational institutions create a healthier and safer environment for students, as well as implement programs that promote physical and psychological well-being. It is important for schools to actively participate in shaping a healthy lifestyle among children, which will ultimately have a positive impact on their academic achievement and overall well-being.

One of the main problems in modern education is the lack of accessible criteria for assessing educational results beyond subject-specific ones. In management theory, there is a saying: "If you can't measure it, you can't improve it." Personal results are difficult to measure, and meta-subject results require significant investment. Ultimately, all that remains are the Unified State Exam, Olympiads, and admissions data, which are usually used to rank educational institutions. Concerned parents understand that when choosing a school, an important question is: "What are your Unified State Exam results?" This underscores the need for more transparent and accessible methods of assessing educational achievement.

Child health is a key aspect of the education system, requiring careful attention and assessment. Physical and mental health are fundamental factors influencing students' academic performance and overall development. Sustainable health contributes to the development of skills necessary for successful academic and social adaptation. Assessing children's health should be a priority in educational institutions, as it is directly linked to their ability to learn and develop. Integrating health into the educational process will help create more favorable conditions for growth and learning, which in turn will positively impact the future of society.

Director of Commercial Programs and Head of the "Second Shift" and "Correspondence" projects at the educational organization "New School." Previously, he held the position of Director at the Institute of Modern Childhood, part of the "World of Childhood" group of companies. He also worked as Director of Educational Methodology and a partner at ActionLearning. In his professional work, Dmitry focuses on the development and implementation of innovative educational programs aimed at child development.

In his new post, Dmitry offers subscribers strategies aimed at encouraging schools to actively care for the health of their students. He examines various approaches and initiatives that can be implemented in educational institutions to increase physical activity levels and improve the overall well-being of students.

School leaves a mark on a child's health

Health is an important resource for education and a source of energy. Knowledge and skills are formed through effort—both physical and mental—and their depletion can negatively impact health. In modern education, we observe an unreasonable use of this resource. Children are overloaded, as if they had unlimited reserves of energy. Eight lessons a day and four hours of homework for teenagers are perceived as the norm. But where to get the energy? Have you tried doing math in sixth period? It's important to reconsider approaches to education so as not to jeopardize children's health.

We offer a unique project, "One Day with the Class," which allows parents to become involved in school life. You have the opportunity to spend a day at school, reminisce about the joys of your childhood, and experience the learning atmosphere. However, it's worth noting that not all adults can handle the stress of the learning process and often leave classes during the last few lessons, making excuses just like children do. Join us and experience what it's like to be a schoolchild again.

The economy and the environment are closely intertwined, and this also applies to the education system. Schools create a carbon footprint that impacts children's health, as well as generate significant waste and negative consequences for their psycho-emotional state. As with environmental issues, this aspect often goes unnoticed. When discussing high GDP per capita or high average Unified State Exam scores, it's also important to consider statistics on depression, chronic illness, and suicide among students. This highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to education policy that addresses not only academic achievement but also children's well-being.

We need a rating for the "greenness" of education

In modern developed countries and leading companies, environmental aspects are increasingly being considered in assessing success. Organizations are being forced to abandon outdated practices and invest in the development of new green and regenerative technologies. Perhaps it would be worthwhile to introduce a student health indicator into the education system, which could be compared with the Unified State Exam rating. This would allow for a more complete assessment of the consequences of achieving high academic results and their impact on the health of the younger generation.

Photo: Irina Wilhauk / Shutterstock

A medical examination is an important process that should preferably be completed annually. This allows us to monitor health and identify potential problems at an early stage. For example, we can use indicators such as a health group, although more precise criteria may be available in medicine. It is important to recognize that schools are also responsible for the health of their students. This could lead to the creation of an education "greenness" rating, which would certainly require additional work. However, the key point remains a focus on the health and development of children. We can already take into account factors such as chronic diseases, emotional state, illness rates, and academic performance, which emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to organizing the educational process.

Responsible parents can handle this task on their own today.

Why schools don't want such a rating

At one of the meetings with principals from city N, I proposed an idea for discussion. Fortunately, they visited us on a tour, otherwise I would have faced serious criticism for such a provocative idea. So what prompted me to do this?

Some argue that sick patients arrive at medical facilities with already low ratings and are unable to improve their performance. However, I disagree. The human body, when placed in favorable conditions, strives for recovery, especially during periods of active growth. We often see such cases. In our practice, we also see patients with various injuries and illnesses, but we work purposefully on their health, creating optimal conditions for recovery. As a result, they gradually return to normal. Although during this period, few of them participate in Olympiads or achieve high scores on educational tests, it is important to understand that when planning a lifelong educational strategy, health should be paramount. Mastering the skill of maintaining and improving health is a key aspect that influences a person's quality of life.

For a more in-depth analysis of educational quality, school rankings should be considered based on student outcomes 5, 10, and 15 years after graduation. Complex indicators such as happiness, health, and career and personal achievements should also be considered, as is done in well-known longitudinal studies. This approach will encourage educational institutions to invest in the long-term well-being of students rather than focusing solely on short-term indicators such as test scores. This will create a more harmonious educational environment that fosters children's comprehensive development and successful future adaptation.

In the near future, we can expect a balanced and values-oriented approach to education to become a priority. This will allow us to abandon the preoccupation with preparing for university entrance at any cost and focus on developing a well-rounded individual. It's important for educational systems to begin valuing not only academic achievement but also personal qualities, which will lead to more meaningful and fulfilling learning.

Reading is an essential part of our daily experience. It not only develops our thinking but also enriches our inner world. Reading books, articles, or blogs helps broaden our horizons and improve our vocabulary. Modern research shows that regular reading can help combat stress and improve overall mental health. Whether you want to deepen your knowledge or simply enjoy a compelling story, make time to read. This is a useful activity that inspires and enriches life.

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