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The ARK Program for Teachers benefits the learning process in the following ways:
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Improves test grades and scores - A nurturing classroom environment is essential in order for children to maximize the learning opportunity.
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Decreases the Dropout Rate - Studies show that, if a student has a caring relationship with just one adult at school, it lowers the chances of that child's dropping out of school by 97%.
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Lessens the potential for classroom violence - The key figure in removing student violence and disruption from the classroom is a nurturing teacher.
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Decreases school truancy rates - Children will want to go to school if they feel valued and nurtured there.
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Provides a venue for teachers to bond as a team - ARK’s peer-mentoring format is an ideal setting in which teachers can share and problem-solve.
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Helps teachers and parents to support each other’s efforts - ARK helps teachers and parents to colloborate in terms of their shared goals in educating and nurturing children.
A key provision of the No Child Left Behind legislation requires that all public school teachers be “highly qualified” to teach. A study released by the Denver-based Education Commission of the States (ECS) on July 14, 2000--which was based on 92 prior research studies--found that having a bachelor's or master's degree in a subject does not necessarily render a teacher effective in teaching that subject. The study suggests that effective teachers must have both a grasp of the subject and an understanding of pedagogy--how to teach.1 ARK provides the methodology of nurture and encouragement that helps teachers to be highly qualified instructors of children.
ARK meets and exceeds the federal requirement for parenting programs to be of long enough duration to make a sustainable difference in the lives of children and their families. ARK for Schools enables teachers, counselors, administrators, and all other caring adults to provide the caring, nurturing environment that is characteristic of all great schools.
Footnote:
1 Greg Toppo, "Plan would help states boost teacher qualification," USA Today, July 16, 2003, 8D. |
