US Schools Struggle with Behavior, But See Opportunity

US Schools Struggle with Behavior, But See Opportunity

American students had been learning from home for more than a year during the pandemic. When they returned to in-person learning, teachers began to see more behavioral problems.

Sarah Potpinka is an art teacher at Putnam High School in Connecticut. She said, "Coming back into the building a lot of kids fell out of the good habits they had built up in previous years."

Potpinka said she saw more fights and arguments among students online and in person. Some refused to wear the required face coverings. Other students broke school rules by leaving in the middle of class to meet up with friends.

"Obviously throughout this pandemic, the students spent a lot of time at home and because of that they lack in those social skills," said Danielle Trejo. She is a school counselor¹ in Austin, Texas.

Mental health crisis²

Bad behavior among students is part of what experts are calling a mental health crisis among children. Even before the pandemic, research found that bad behavior in the classroom was increasing.

Childhood depression is also a serious problem.

A group of mental health organizations says in a recent Hopeful Futures³ Campaign report that one in three students reported feeling lonely or hopeless. Half of all mental illness presents by the age of 14 but few students get the services they need. The report, released last month, also warns that suicide⁴ is the second leading cause of death among those aged⁵ 14 to 18 in 2019.

Richard Douglas is a school psychologist at Putnam High School with over 30 years of experience. He agrees that the mental health crisis existed before the pandemic.

Douglas said that during the pandemic there have been many things that disrupt⁶ families. More time at home could lead to more arguments with family members. A parent or family member could have gotten sick with COVID or lost a job, leading to more stress, Douglas said. At Putnam, many students also work to help pay for housing costs.

Douglas feels school officials provide enough support to deal with the crisis at Putnam. For the school of around just 250 students, there is also a counselor, social worker, and two recently hired interventionists. Interventionists help identify learning and behavioral problems among students.

But many school systems around the U.S. say they need more psychologists and counselors⁷. The Hopeful Futures Campaign report says most American states do not provide enough resources for mental health support in schools.

Only Idaho and the District of Columbia go beyond the nationally recommended number of one psychologist for every 500 students. In some states, including West Virginia, Missouri, Texas and Georgia, there is only one school psychologist for over 4,000 students.

President Joe Biden has proposed $1 billion in new federal money to help schools hire more counselors and psychologists. And school systems have used pandemic aid to add mental health services.

Despite behavioral problems among students after returning to in-person classes, Potpinka said the change has been better for the students. She said it is easier to keep students engaged in schoolwork face-to-face. It is also easier to seek help for them when there is trouble.

Douglas added that school psychologists are now trying "to undo⁸ the harm that's been done" during the pandemic.

Words in This Story

habit — n. a usual way of behaving

obviously — adv. in a way that is easy to see, understand, or recognize

depression — n. a state of feeling sad

psychologist — n. a scientist who specializes in the study and treatment of the mind and behavior

disrupt — v. to interrupt the normal progress or activity of

stress — n. a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.

recommend — v. to suggest that someone do something

engage — v. to get and keep someone's attention, interest, etc.

1 counselor   

n.顾问，法律顾问

参考例句：

• The counselor gave us some disinterested advice.顾问给了我们一些无私的忠告。
• Chinese commercial counselor's office in foreign countries.中国驻国外商务参赞处。

2 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

3 futures   

n.期货，期货交易

参考例句：

• He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易。
• Cotton futures are selling at high prices.棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的。

4 suicide   

n.自杀，自毁，自杀性行为

参考例句：

• The number of suicide has increased.自杀案件的数量增加了。
• The death was adjudged a suicide by sleeping pills.该死亡事件被判定为服用安眠药自杀。

5 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

6 disrupt   

adj.分裂的，分散的；vt.使分裂，使瓦解

参考例句：

• The war seemed likely to disrupt the state.战争可能使这个国家分裂。
• The conflict seemed likely to disrupt the government.这场冲突可能使政府垮台。

7 counselors   

n.顾问( counselor的名词复数 )；律师；（使馆等的）参赞；（协助学生解决问题的）指导老师

参考例句：

• Counselors began an inquiry into industrial needs. 顾问们开始调查工业方面的需要。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• We have experienced counselors available day and night. ) 这里有经验的法律顾问全天候值班。） 来自超越目标英语 第4册

8 undo   

vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销

参考例句：

• His pride will undo him some day.他的傲慢总有一天会毁了他。
• I managed secretly to undo a corner of the parcel.我悄悄地设法解开了包裹的一角。