From The Administrator

~by Bob Uhing~
I recently had the opportunity to hear a presentation by Mervlyn Kitashima, a teacher, mother of seven, and participant in the "Kauai Longitudinal Study on Resilience" conducted by Dr. Emery Warner. The study started in 1955 and followed 698 children from birth to age 40. Predictions were made based on environment, personal, and family circumstances, on each child's "at risk factor".

Depending on each child's environmental circumstances they were divided into two groups-an "at risk" group and a "successful" group. The objective of the study was to determine if one could predict, based on environment, success in life. This research study was unique in that, it provided a longitudinal evaluation of a large group of children that stayed constant over 40 years.

The study found after 40 years that one can't predict how children would turn out. In fact the predictions made on the successes of the children in the study weren't true. The results of the study found four factors critical to children's lives:

? Work and Responsibility - Children need to be taught responsibility and work ethic at home and in school. A work ethic is developed over time. Getting the job done is a lifetime skill that needs to be taught to students.

? Protective Factors - What are the traits, conditions, or situations that alter predictions of outcomes and potential for children? Individual people and places have the positive power to impact children in special ways. Individual people, teachers and administrators, and places, schools, often provide the support systems for "at-risk" children to be successful in life.

? Broaden their Vision - Children respond in very positive ways when given opportunities to expand their horizon. Participation and involvement in meaningful activities is important for all children. Providing students opportunities where they view their role as having a positive impact on individuals or the group does make a difference in how they view themselves.

? Sense of Hope - Give students goals, dreams, and a positive vision for the future. Our children need a sense of purpose which schools are able to provide them.

Mervlyn Kitashima was pregnant at age 16, expelled from school, had an alcoholic father and lived with her mother in a very low income neighborhood and today is personally and professionally very successful in life. Her message was to view children and families as being "at promise" instead of "at risk".

Educators in ESU #1 have a similar focus and belief, but sometimes it is nice to hear someone remind us of that. The four factors can also include educational agencies and the work we collaborate on to serve students. Kitashima's message for all educators revolved around the potential and promise that our agencies make to support children. As educators we must expand the visions of our institutions to meet the needs of the children we serve.

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This Page was last update: Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 8:36:58 AM
This page was originally posted: 3/3/04; 4:51:36 PM.
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