The Pros and Cons of Educational Labels

Educational labeling was first introduced as a way of meeting students’ needs. For instance, a child who was labeled as “gifted” might move up in the curriculum, while a child with dyslexia might need to slow down or even repeat whole lessons or grades.

Education Week observes that, on one end of the spectrum, labels help children succeed by recognizing their strengths and playing to those strengths. But on the other hand, especially when it comes to children with learning differences and disabilities, “labels seem to put children in neat little boxes, and seem to benefit the adult in the classroom more than the student.”

Labels were never meant to stunt a child’s growth or stigmatize them, but a teacher who is pulled in a million directions by a couple dozen students—all with varying personalities and levels of growth— often welcomes a quick and easy way to categorize her class at a glance.

The dark side of labeling

Children with a negative label or a disability are expected to come out below their peers. That’s just common sense, right? If you’re dyslexic, you’re not going to be as good at reading as someone who isn’t. Sociologist Dara Shifrer says “the more troubling possibility is that special education placement limits rather than expands these students’ opportunities.” In other words, labeling can box children in.

Kids with negative labels are more likely to be pitied rather than helped, even by their parents. Low expectations never helped anyone, much less a child who is ready and excited to learn. Just because that child has challenges doesn’t prevent him or her from overcoming them just like anyone else.

Children are sensitive and easily perceive when their peers treat them differently. They become shy and are often bullied. These children carry those memories—and, more than likely, that label—for the rest of their lives.

Being labeled also can mean that kids have very little opportunity to expand their experience outside of extra support classes and activities.  The child’s growth can be hampered, and they can become frustrated with the situation, which drastically increases the chance of that child dropping out of high school later on.

How labels can help

Despite the cons, labeling can help children with learning disabilities to get the help they need. In public schools, funding for special education programs relies on categories of disabilities. To get funded at the federal and local levels, schools must report on disabilities and needs in their students.

Labels are extremely important to researchers and health professionals as well, for communication purposes. After all, how could we identify and support a child with dyscalculia if we didn’t know what dyscalculia looks like? Research done with other children who have struggled with math gives us a starting point.

Finding the sweet spot

As parents, we don’t have to let a label define our children. We never should. But how do we counteract the trends?

Allowing children to have space to learn and grow at home is the perfect place to start. Give your child your time and attention, read books, go on adventures. A rich home life can help a child through learning struggles far more effectively than a classroom setting ever will.

If you’re searching for a school right now, look for one where the teachers understand this concept. Finding open-minded educators who will appreciate and encourage your child’s strengths is one of the best favors you’ll ever do yourself and your child.

Excerpted from “The Pros and Cons of Educational Labels” from the Noah Webster Educational Foundation. Read the full article online.

Source: Noah Webster Educational Foundation | The Pros and Cons of Educational Labels, https://noahwebstereducationalfoundation.org/the-pros-and-cons-of-educational-labels | © Copyright 2021 – 2023 Noah Webster Educational Foundation

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