Healthier Students Are Better Learners: A Missing Link in Efforts to Close the Achievement Gap
The Campaign for Educational Equity releases today the latest report in its Equity Matters series,"Healthier Students Are Better Learners." The report focuses on "educationally relevant health disparities" in seven areas -- vision; asthma; teen pregnancy; aggression and violence; physical activity; breakfast; and inattention and hyperactivity -- that disproportionately affect the educational opportunities and outcomes of urban minority youth.
March 9, 2010
Equity in Education Forum Series, Spring 2010
Teachers College, Columbia University
Equity in Education Forum Series, Spring 2010
Teachers College, Columbia University
"Healthier Students Are Better Learners" brings together the most recent findings in fields ranging from neuroscience and child development to epidemiology and public health. Charles Basch focuses on "educationally relevant health disparities" in seven areas -- vision; asthma; teen pregnancy; aggression and violence; physical activity; breakfast; and inattention and hyperactivity -- that disproportionately affect the educational opportunities and outcomes of urban minority youth. He argues that unless they are addressed in a coordinated fashion at the federal, state and local levels, efforts to close 's education achievement gap will be compromised. Nevertheless, he strongly emphasizes that while these seven areas are important, "the expectation is not that every urban public school should have the same priorities," and priorities may vary according to local need and capacity.
Program Agenda
Presentation:
Charles Basch, March Hoe Professor of Health Education, Teachers College
Discussants:
Howell Wechsler, Director, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Matthew Yale, Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Education
Moderator:
Jane Quinn, Assistant Executive Director for Community Schools, Children's Aid Society
RESOURCES:
-
Basch, C.E. (2010). Healthier Students Are Better Learners: A Missing Link in Efforts to Close the Achievement Gap. Equity Matters: Research Review No. 6. New York: The Campaign for Educational Equity.
- Summary PowerPoint Slides
Published Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010