Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2005 > August > 26 > Entry
The whole school is pregnant!
OK, it’s not the whole school.
But check out this shocking story in the Canton (Ohio) Repository about Timken High School where 65 of 490 girls are pregnant. That’s 13 percent of the girls in the school! Incredible.
One of the great debates about schools is where to draw the line between education and social service. Schools were built, of course, to educate. But its such an opportunity, having the children of the community gathered together everyday. A little instruction — in proper nutrition, or fire safety, or sex education — can really make a difference in their lives. And, proponents say, benefit the community as a whole.
But does this muddle the mission? If schools spend too much energy on social services, does it take away from their ability to educate? And if pushed too far, does the schoolhouse intrude into a role that belongs to parents?
Well those philosophical questions are pre-empted in a situation like this. How does a school manage with 65 pregnant girls? They certainly can’t ignore it. This time, the school is forced into the position of managing these non-school issues.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Sex Education
Comments
By Cheryl
August 29, 2005 12:19 AM | Link to this
This is a perfect case of why schools have to be involved in teaching stuff beyond the three Rs. This school desperately needs to educate these kids about safe sex and pregnancy. If they can focus their efforts and reduce pregnancy, it’s good for everyone, the kids, the school and the community. Many problems are reduced. It’s quaint to think schools can just focus on teaching the core subjects but we need them to do their part on social concerns as well.