Worksheet1: Defining the Social Problem

Date: Group Members: Dorald Bastian (Teacher)A. De Bellgarde (Teacher), D. Felder(Guidance), J. De La Rosa (Guidance), E. Menon (Teacher), B. Paige (Teacher) et. al.

1. In one or two sentences, state the nature of the social problem that your group plans to study.

IS 195 students lack motivation necessary for high achievement

2. List at least three undesirable social conditions that result from this problem:

a) use of profanity, low self esteem, poor citizenship

b) teachers have to spend more time on discipline rather than on teaching

c) low achievement on tests and poor grades

3. Write a short phrase that summarizes the social problem and its location (examples: students reading below grade level at P.S. 299; vandalism at Jones Middle School; cheating in Mr. Green’s math class)

Underachievement at IS 195 is exhibited by lack of motivation. In general, IS 195 students lack motivation necessary for high achievement. This is evidenced by the low number of students who make the honor roll, the high number of repeators, the high number of students who must attend summer school. In addition, low motivation for academic achievement is exhibited through poor citizenship: students curse and misbehavior is rampant, teachers spend more time on discipline instead of teaching. Finally, many students score poorly on school-intiated, and citywide tests and this perpetuates an already prevailing atmosphere of low motivation for high achievement.