-URL of Article: https://newsela.com/read/oregon-students-mental-health/id/54533 (log in with your school
google to see the entire text of article)
-Image from Article:
-Summary/Reaction: This article details a new law in the
state of Oregon that allows students to receive an excused absence if they miss
school due to mental health. The goal is for students to be honest with
themselves, their families, and their teachers when they need a mental health
day (rather than just saying they are sick) and then hopefully get help or
assistance if needed to help address any mental health concerns.
According to the article, “Mental health experts say Oregon's new law is one of
the first to clearly instruct schools to treat mental health and physical
health equally.” Students in Oregon who
advocated for the law said they were inspired by the Parkside shooting.
Most lawmakers were readily supportive of the law, but many parents argued that
the law was not necessary. My reaction
to this article is positive - I think it is a great idea for students to be
able to take a mental health day if needed and I would support such a law in
California. I think students should be honest about what is keeping them
from school and this law encourages students to be genuine.
-History Connection: I can connect this with compulsory
education state laws throughout the country. Prior to the 1900s, most
states did not have laws requiring school attendance, however due to issues
such as child labor and welfare during industrialization in the US, many states
in the country began passing laws that required children attend school.
By 1918, every state in the country had a compulsory education law. This new Oregon law could be the beginning of
similar education reform throughout the country just like the compulsory
education laws.
-Question(s) for Discussion: Should other states in the
country follow Oregon’s lead and establish excused absences for mental
health?
I think having mental health days for students is a good idea, but I also believe there should be a limit to how many days can be taken without a note from a doctor or licensed therapist. I worry that without this check, the law might be taken advantage of, and, as a result, face pushback from adults. To me, it seems worse for students If the law is put in place and then later taken away.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point! Schools do require a doctor's note if a student is out sick for a significant period of time and so it would make sense that the same should go for mental health days.
DeleteI believe that education should be provided as a service to be used to better oneself, not as a tool for measuring the value of youth. As such, students should be able to regulate their own attendance for any reason, rather than being required to attend school and receiving a grade to be judged by.
ReplyDeleteI believe having mental health days for students is a good idea. It takes time for those who stress out and worry to catch up and arrive to school feeling better. Although I believe it is a good idea I believe it should be limited and rather than taking a break on the whole day they should reach out to a councilor and if the mental health gets worse then maybe taking a day of should be considered.
ReplyDelete-rayn
DeleteI definitely support the idea of having a mental health day however for it to successful relieve students of stress the school board should prohibit teachers from assigning homework or any form of work over this day.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the ability to take mental health days from school is really beneficial for students. However, there should be a limit on how many days off a student can take. If they start taking too many, they should most likely be referred to a doctor.
ReplyDeleteYes I think this idea is important it is good to take take a step back and relax. You should get a break.
ReplyDeletei would also agree with students having doctor notes if they are sick for a vary of days, due to them missing school work they would not just be excused by the note but it would also help the student relax and not stress out about there grades.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a good idea to allow students to have at least one day for mental health. This will allow student to take a break from whatever is stressing them out.
ReplyDeleteI support schools finding new ways of involving excuses for mental health, but I believe there should be more ideal ways to help treat these people. Ways where it adapts to them (with regulations), instead of them adapting to the system.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is a healthy thing for all students in high school, and will benefit them.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that it is a helpful idea for schools to have mental health days. I believe that it would be a good way for students to take a short break for their mental health if needed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this. If a student misses school due to a mental illness, and they aren't excused, that may lead to the student lying about their mental illness. For example, if an epileptic student has a seizure, and they aren't excused, they might get insecure about their mental illness and lie when they have a seizure, saying that they didn't have one. That can lead to the student's mental illness getting worse.
ReplyDeleteI agree this a a great idea and think it should ne passed to all states. This will help them say the truth and have their parents help them out or look for help. Having them deal with their mental health and be stressed in school is not a good mix for which I highly agree and support this law.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea of schools to have a day for mental health break. I believe it would be a good thing for high school students to have a break
ReplyDeleteI support this law because many students are stressed due to school, so having mental health days gives students a time to relax. This can be really helpful for students taking many APs that way they can catch up on assignments they missed or take a metal break from the work overload.
ReplyDeleteI agree that being able to have mental health days is important as it makes students feel more comfortable about themselves and that there are important reasons for them to miss school, but students may take advantage of this and pretend to have some mental health issue to have more days off.
ReplyDeleteYes I think there should be a Mental Health day because students need some alone time by themselves whenever they are stressed out about something. They can use this day to do homework or study for a test.
ReplyDeleteI believe that other states in the country should also establish excused absences for mental health. This benefits the students in a way that can reduce stress.
ReplyDeleteI think all schools should allow students to take a couple days off if their mental health is struggling. By not passing this law, students will only become more stressed, anxious, and depressed if they can't get a break.
ReplyDeleteMental health days would help students grow and see what works for them to be successful in school.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea and I agree completely with this law. The comfort of the students is very important so they could be motivated to work. Having a break once in a while is very much needed in those times when you are just overloaded with work.
ReplyDeleteI think that all schools in all states should support this law because mental health is one of the greatest threats toward students today.
ReplyDeleteI believe other states should follow in the example of Oregon and also create this law. I think that students' mental health is just as important as physical health, and should be permitted to take a mental break. Especially today, so many students are overloaded with stress and anxiety about school, so mental health days could benefit their health both mentally and physically. Maybe to show that the student was actually taking a metal health day, they could bring a note from a parent to ensure their trustworthiness.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this because this really benefits the students by having a mental health day.
ReplyDeleteI support this law because many students are stressed due to school, so having mental health days gives students a time to relax. This can be really helpful for students taking many APs that way they can catch up on assignments they missed or take a metal break from the work overload.
ReplyDelete-Erica Quillen
DeleteI agree with what the blogs says because it's good to have a break every once in a while.
ReplyDelete-Mario Perez
DeleteI agree with this law because its an opportunity for students to take a break and rest their minds from all the work being thrown at them.
ReplyDelete-Brooke
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