Current Connectioin 2.1

In an article entitled "What You Need to Consider Before Having Kids" posted by Margarita Tartakovsky, an associate at physccentral.com, an award-winning mental health website, informs us that everyone should take a few questions into consideration before having a child.

Children are not toys; they are not property. According to Tartakovsky, "all the experts stressed the significance of both partners figuring out their motivation to have kids." Most people do not realize the selflessness that is necessary for raising a child. Feeling depressed at the thought of giving up random vacations and eating out all the time, parents should realize that they are not ready for a baby.

Babies cost quite a bit of money; therefore, the source of income needs to be rock solid instead of an unsteady slippery slope. "A baby brings new financial responsibilities and stressors," states Marter. Parents, feeling somewhat strapped for cash and barely making ends meet, will make a huge difference in financial stability for the future. Odds are, if ends are barely meeting, more stress will be added to an already stressed endeavor.

Marter also believes that we should achieve the "foundation of your educational, career or social goals as a childless adult." Being happy with accomplishing something professionally or creatively   may help the feeling of stress subside during the early years of parenthood. Once a baby is brought onto this earth, the resources of the parents will be limited.

Having a family, relating to unplanned pregnancy, makes this a text-to-self connection. I have witnessed the struggle of not being able to support a child financially and not being ready to bring a child into this world, and it is not easy. Individuals planning to become parents should plan out when  to have a baby because babies are not easy to raise or cheap to feed. One should ask his/her family to help, but once he/she asks too often the family may not continue further support. Just know that when the time comes to think about a baby be sure to cover every aspect needed for successful parenthood.

Parenthood is a huge step to take in life. If you've got most of these ducks in a row, chances are good that you will be well suited to take that leap.

 

 

Tartakovsky, Margarita. "What You Need to Consider Before Having Kids | Psych Central - Part 2." Psych Central.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2013.

Current Connection: 1.2

A recent article entitled, "U.S. lags most countries in literacy, math, and computer skills," submitted by Lyndsey Layton, a writer for the Washington Post, informs us that U.S. adults are below average when it comes to skills required for success.

"Policymakers and politicians who wring their hands about the mediocre performance of U.S. students on international math and reading tests have another worry: The nations grownups aren't doing much better," says Layton. The first study ever conducted on adults in the United States and other countries, such as Australia and Sweden, proved that the average American adult is below standard when tested on skills required to survive in the global economy. With an education system that strives for perfection, one would expect that the adults in the United States would have proficient skills in each focus of this study.

"...our education system hasn't done enough to help Americans compete...in a global economy that demands increasingly higher skills," says Arne Duncan, Education Secretary. Many of the adults in this study appear to be individuals who were overlooked and under served in our education system. The test takers showed a large gap in their scores between the white adults and the black and Hispanic adults, and this is a problem in the U.S. public education system.

Jack Buckley, Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, said, "...Americans are decidedly weaker in numeracy and problem-solving skills than in literacy..." The most educated test takers scored higher than average in literacy and lower than in math and digital skills. The test takers who either only completed high school or got their GED achieved very low basic scores; although, most had jobs or were working.

In essence, adults who have trouble in reading, math, solving problems, and using technology will have trouble finding financially stable employment. This problem effects the economical success of our country. What affect does a struggling U.S. economy have on the global economy? U.S. adults must be challenged so that their skills can be improved.

Current Connection 1.1

In a recent article submitted by Education in America entitled "Oregon Works to Improve Rural Schools," Education in America informs us that students going to rural schools in Oregon are being impacted by the scarcity of resources in three ways: 1) educational programs 2) student learning and 3) student opportunities.

Educational programs are lacking because the schools in rural areas are "long distances from school services offices.. schools do not have the access to the support they need in order to effectively provide for students." When the students are lacking in education materials, they are not being taught to the fullest potential. As I am in a public school, in a small county, we normally do not have trouble getting text books and the supplies needed for all of the students.

According to statistics provided by Education in America, "13.2 percent of the population of those rural areas had not completed high school." During this time, approximately 2 months ago, the poverty rate was very high. 18.9 percent of poverty in rural areas compared to 16.8 percent in urban areas, is a big difference. Due to such a high poverty rate, students may have had to drop out of school just to help their parents get by. With all of these students not finishing high school, it effected the student learning.

Rural parts of Oregon have unique obstacles. "Mill jobs in these regions, once readily available and relatively high paying, have dwindled in recent decades," states the text. Seeing how Oregon used to have an ample supply of forest and lumber, it is hard to believe the economy has crippled. With jobs lacking, student opportunities are beginning to dissipate.

When I sit down to watch the new at night, a common theme seems to be that America has a high unemployment rate and limited opportunities for those with little to no educational background.

Oregon's statewide initiative seeks to remedy limited educational programs, student learning, and student opportunity for employment. By improved communication through a network of educational stakeholders and representatives from across the state, they hope to increase student success in these areas.