Analysis of Self-Esteem Paper

Analysis of Self-Esteem Paper

Marianela Tavárez Torres

University of Phoenix

CNSL/504 Version 4

October 27, 2012

Dr. Ana Ortiz Rosado

Introduction

In this paper I am talking about the factors that must be consider in the development of an effective educational programs that should serve the students of Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico this days is facing an educational crisis that has been discussed at length at local, regional, and national levels, and several reports have been documented stating the problems been confronted with the Puerto Rico students. This means that there is a lot to do for the education here it needs like good push and to look for better ways or a better technique in order to get thru the students in our public schools. This report provides a fusion of the research on the edu¬cation of Puerto Rican students, by making a summary of the problems and suggesting possible solutions for approaching them.

The education here in Puerto Rico has reached a crisis stage. Although the number of students attending public schools has increased dramatically in recent decades, students here in Puerto Rico have the lowest level of education and the highest dropout. The dropout rate in PR is about 40%. Conditions of poverty and health, as well as other social problems have made it difficult for the students here in Puerto Rico to improve their educational status. Consequently, one of the most pressing educational priorities has been to close the achievement gap between the students. Some the factors associated with education crisis in Puerto Rico are following: the lack of qualified teachers to teach these students, the use of inappropriate teaching practices, and at-risk school environments, and more important to enhance their self-esteem.

Self-esteem is a person's overall sense of self-worth or personal value. Self-esteem is often seen as a personality trait, which means that it tends to be stable and enduring. Self-esteem can involve several beliefs about that person personality, such as the appraisal of one's own appearance, beliefs, emotions and behaviors. Our schools in Puerto Rico are suffering of self-esteem programs in the schools. Students don't pass their classes every year due to several reasons such as family problems, not enough resources, group pressure, socio-economic, etc. Public Schools in Puerto Rico have lack resources, books, not adequate classrooms, not well prepared teachers, sport equipment and school structures. All of these things do influence in our students self-esteem and the desire to go to school. In the standards of excellence for effective education which were established in 1996 by the Department of Education, it was use a constructivist approach. This model was created by combining the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky.

The Piaget and Vygotsky theory is based on the following:

* The learning comes from the construction and reconstruction of knowledge and experience.

* Each individual is responsible for their own learning

* Knowledge is build actively

* Learning is an adaptive process that organizes the experience of each person, but does not discover the world independently, or preexist outside the mind of the learner.

Motivation is one of the main keys for success; it is not only necessary extrinsic motivation, as in the case of traditional education but also the intrinsic desires to learn by learn. "True learning is the one which occurs from within. That is born of our interest in discovering and growing, which allows us to be in harmony with nature and moves us to be better human beings throughout the whole extent of the word." (Freire, 1983; p.91). The Puerto Rico school system, meanwhile has classified "students at risk" those students who show a low achievement and present problems of absenteeism and discipline. In general school services here in Puerto Rico are not effective in improving their knowledge and even in the label the put in the students this encourages both the student and the teachers to have, low expectations in developing their abilities and to perceive the effort as well decreases and perception becomes reality.

As I has been conducting this research I have not find jet any program established by the Department of Education to help enhance the self-esteem. But finally there are elements that could be integrated in the schools supporting a peaceful environment. We have identified the following principal elements: a learning environment nonthreatening to their self-esteem, committed personnel with sensitivity to work with young people, a school environment that will promote team work, the action of research and entrepreneurial attitude of teachers to continually review their practice from what they learn from that action research, an school organization that will allow in some occasions small groups and personalized learning.

While conducting my research I found something call School of Sports network is a new program developed by the Department of Sports and Recreation sponsored by the department of education this program is directed to the public schools of Puerto Rico. His goal is to combine recreation and sport, education and to support the social aspects. The participant with academic disadvantage will develop skills that allow him to increase his academic achievement.