Yes, I already have outlines and topics for those, and the subject of this post plays into one of them.
As any adult learner attempting to break their way into secondary education the biggest issue that you run into is finding the time and energy to do the school work. Not to mention, for those with Trauma in their pasts, finding a ways to navigate a landscape often geared much more towards younger individuals, or those, without such experiences.
Luckily, in many communities, veterans services address this for those with a military background.
For me, both work and school will be starting at the same time.
I'll be working close to full time to begin with, possibly more as work hours and my own motivation make it possible, while also attending school full time. Making that schedule work is going to be rough. Especially when I consider that I will be attempting this in an area where public transit only runs during "regular business hours" with limited service on Saturdays and No service on Sundays.
The distances between school, work, and where I'm currently staying all average about an hour under optimal weather and traffic conditions . With approximately two hours walking on the longer side.
The distances between school, work, and where I'm currently staying all average about an hour under optimal weather and traffic conditions . With approximately two hours walking on the longer side.
Even when public transit is available these commute times are often not lessened.
A car, would admittedly, make transport much easier. However, as part of my physical and mental therapy I only drive when needed for work or not having another viable option for transportation needs. Not only that, but owning and maintaining a vehicle is an expense that equates to having another house hold dependent.
Yes, I'll be getting a bike to reduce those travel times exponentially. I had already purchased one, but it was stolen while I was doing placement exams. And, as my remaining resources are needed to keep me sheltered, fed, and bills paid until work starts, I will have to wait until my financial situation stabilizes before acquiring another one.
Eventually I would like to focus on the pure academia, but as I go through General Education I am going to attempt to maintain full time employment at the same time. Both to cover my expenses and as part to the ongoing research that I'm conducting in regards to Community Development and Support.
Even though I do qualify for financial aid to cover school costs, without an academic institution or program to sign off on the costs, the expenses of the tools and travel for my research are still going be coming largely out of my own pocket. Ethically I, and I think the laws, see it as an misuse of scholarship and grant money unless it is recognized as part of an existing program.
My situation aside, let's look at the issues of a Parent as a Student. Because they have the same difficulties that I do with the added difficulty and cost of finding child care. Also, as a parent, they need to have the ability to be available and present for their child.
My situation aside, let's look at the issues of a Parent as a Student. Because they have the same difficulties that I do with the added difficulty and cost of finding child care. Also, as a parent, they need to have the ability to be available and present for their child.
So here is my outline for a Child Care program that could be adopted by any Secondary Educational program.
1. For an enrolled student offer free child care through the school.
2. For Graduates, offering subsidized or discounted Child Care
3. The child care program being staffed, and primarily, operated by Students.
1. For an enrolled student offer free child care through the school.
2. For Graduates, offering subsidized or discounted Child Care
3. The child care program being staffed, and primarily, operated by Students.
4. Staffing would come from programs training for.
- Education
- Child Care or Child Development
- Nursing
- Emergency Response
- Social and Criminal Justice.
- Library Sciences
- Any student with a major or focus in regards to providing services for youth with an advisory sign off.
5. Students working in the program would receive credit towards their degree.
6. The program could be offered as part of a T.A. or Work Study program to help off set their tuition costs and give students practical work experience for their resume after graduation.
6. The program could be offered as part of a T.A. or Work Study program to help off set their tuition costs and give students practical work experience for their resume after graduation.
7. For Student Parents with children at the k-12 levels, transportation could be provided for the child to get to and from school and the child care program.
8. Medical and Emergency Response students would be able to offer, with proper instruction and oversight, basic check ups, vaccines, and other services relevant to that profession.
9. Offering the program as a 24 hour opportunity would
8. Medical and Emergency Response students would be able to offer, with proper instruction and oversight, basic check ups, vaccines, and other services relevant to that profession.
9. Offering the program as a 24 hour opportunity would
-Give Parent Students that work late or overnight shifts viable, affordable, child care.
- Prepare Nursing and other Public Service Students for the scheduling and other difficulties associated with working 2nd and 3rd shifts.
10. Offering this program to Junior and Senior High School students can
-Create another way to have college credits before entering secondary education
- Give work experience to Students not planning on going into secondary education.
- Create more Student Outreach opportunities.
11. Keeping these programs on or near campus would benefit Student Parents by
-Reducing travel time between work, school, and other necessary errands.
-Offering basic such as check ups would reduce overall healthcare costs for the family.
-Offering basic such as check ups would reduce overall healthcare costs for the family.
-Making responding to a child's needs easier for the child, parent, and the child's caregivers.
- Giving the child role models and mentors for their own academic development.
- Giving the child role models and mentors for their own academic development.
- Giving single parents support they may not normally have.
12. The Program would benefit the Institution by
- Qualifying the Institution for further grants and subsidies
- Creating more educational paths for qualifying students.
- Creating Paying jobs for Child Care professionals, Educators, and Students.
- Creating more pathways from High School to Secondary education.
- Creating professional training opportunities for periphery programs.
12. Other Benefits
- Parent Learners would be able to better focus on their studies.
- Finding and Addressing children's handicaps would be better addressed
- More qualified tutors for young learners in need of extra assistance.
This is, obviously, just a rough outline.
However if professionals and programs took this outline and adjusted it to the needs of their communities while addressing both available infrastructure of the schools and public services, then a viable and arguably, sustainable program could be developed. I feel that this would support a work force ever moving to a twenty four hour schedule and make more successful paths for adult learners to create a better work/life/educational balance for themselves and their families.
