Holy Moly, You Didn't Tell Me!!!

Hidden Curriculum

For a teen, there is nothing worse than violating a social rule that everybody else knows and therefore becoming the butt of jokes and ridicule. Recovery, at least at that moment, for the teen seems impossible and the teen is sure that  everybody is going to hate them.

Hidden curriculum can wreck havoc with self esteem and motivation especially with teens. There are lots of social rules that are rarely expressed but always enforced and it is your knowledge and compliance with these unwritten rules that determines your level of social acceptance. For many of the children we work with as advocates, this hidden curriculum can be rather daunting as they try to fit in and participate in various social situations. As children make their way from the elementary grades to middle and high school the buildings get bigger, the crowds get larger, and inference gets more and more pervasive. All of which can make discovering that hidden curriculum more difficult.

There are unwritten rules and patterns that represent the environmental culture of every school, mall, and neighborhood. It is important that parents and school personnel work together to inform the child of as much of this hidden curriculum as possible before the need arises. Some of the key phrases that indicate that hidden curriculum is in play would be “You should know…”, “Everyone knows that…”, “That is common sense”

The following are some things that the student should be comfortable with before they start school in a new building.

• Do they know the physical plan of the school- are there short cuts that can make change of classes easier and more direct
• Are they familiar with and able to use the cafeteria
• Are they aware of the social hierarchy
• • Who works for whom
  • Clicks
  • Who is receptive to them
• Are they able to participate in extra-curricular activities
•      Can be a lifeline for some kids
•       Can make a large school smaller
• Do they understand the schedule
• Do they know how to use a public bathroom

There was a national survey of Special Education Teachers that asked what are the most important skills to master before graduation with the following results:

Listening Skills                                 Hidden Curriculum

Following Directions                        Hidden Curriculum

Be ON Task                                      Hidden Curriculum

How to get help                                Hidden Curriculum

How to get started                           Hidden Curriculum

Finish in Time                                   Hidden Curriculum

Word Attack                                      Academic Curriculum

For most teens, the bottom line is to avoid embarrassment at all costs. Embarrassment occurs when you do not know the unwritten rules. The more informed the student is the easier it is to save face. Structure (rules) and consistency can be as important as oxygen for some of our students. So, let them in on the culture of the school and give them a fighting chance to fit in and participate.

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AUTHORS

Marie Lewis is an author, consultant, and national speaker on best practices in education advocacy. She is a parent of 3 children and a Disability Case Manager, Board Certified Education Advocate, and Behavior Specialist Consultant. She has assisted in the development of thousands of IEPs nationally and consults on developing appropriately individualized IEPs that are outcome-based vs legally sufficient. She brings a great depth of expertise, practical experience, and compassion to her work as well as expert insight, vision, and systemic thinking. She is passionate and funny and she always inspires and informs.

MJ Gore has an MEd in counseling and a degree in elementary education and natural sciences. She worked as a life-skills and learning support teacher She has been honored with the receipt of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. She is the Director and on the faculty at the National Special Education Advocacy Institute. Her passion is social justice, especially in the area of education. She is a Board Certified Education Advocate who teaches professional advocates, educators, and clinicians the best practices in education advocacy.