Category Archives: Economics

Is School Choice the Right Choice for Your LES?

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Written by Dan Johnson

The model of parish education is changing in our synod. A greater number of schools are looking outside the church walls to continue their ministry, and that brings up questions of funding. How does a church continue to carry out the Great Commission and fund a well-rounded education? The student tuition could be raised, but higher tuition means that many families will be unable to consider the school because of their financial situation. The answer for many schools and congregations is to turn to school choice programs, using public money to pay for private school education. Continue reading →

Poverty and Education: What Being Poor Does to the Brain

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Written by Dan Johnson

What does poverty look like? Can you tell by looking at the students who walk into your room? Are they hungry? Dirty? Sleepy? Does poverty only affect those in large cities and urban areas, or can you see poverty in rural and suburban schools as well? It may be possible to see some of the signs of poverty in students as they come into your classroom, but what can a teacher do?

What is poverty?
The federal poverty line for a family of four is $25,750 in 2019. Poverty is defined as not having sufficient income to meet basic needs. Many families struggle to meet these basic needs. Even those families above the poverty line, at 130-200%, earning up to $51,500, will continue to exhibit signs of poverty. Continue reading →

My Biggest Classroom Challenge: Student Emotion Regulation

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by Andrea Van Sice

“Before we can teach content, we need to ensure that our students are available for learning” (Lipsett, 2011).

When I began teaching in an urban setting, I knew there would be challenges. However, I never foresaw that my students’ ability to regulate their emotions would be our classroom’s biggest challenge.

You may be able to think of a student you have had in the past who had trouble with anger, anxiety, or outbursts—these are some internalizing and externalizing behaviors that show an imbalance in emotion regulation. A child’s ability to regulate their emotions is essential for their academic, behavioral, and social development.

After teaching a class of students who struggled with emotion regulation, I wanted to research and find what a teacher can do to support these students so they are better prepared to learn. Continue reading →

What Does Jesus Have to Do with Economics?

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Written by Prof. Jeffrey Schone

Lutheran schools serve students from every socio-economic level because Christians of all means want their children to learn about God’s love for them in Christ. Should Lutheran teachers ignore issues of economic advantage or disadvantage, or should they advocate for economic justice as their peers in public school systems do? Continue reading →