When Students are Supported
Factors that foster student learning and success
There's a lot to consider when it comes to student success in the classroom. A student who's thriving is likely benefitting from a considerable support system that encompasses many areas of their life.
Access to a quality education is just one building block in the foundation of a well-rounded, successful learning experience. There are numerous aids and many potential barriers that affect student success.
Here are just a few of the factors that can impact a student's learning and academic progress at any given time:
Social skills
Time management
Emotional wellbeing
Curriculum
Brain development
Maturity
Motivation
Attendance
Socio-economic level
Transportation
Health and Nutrition
Class size
This list of school-based and non-school-related elements just scratches the surface of what impacts student success and learning on a daily basis. It's an insight into the challenges of being an educator and speaks to the monumental task facing our public schools.
All students can achieve, but generally, factors that improve a child's maturity, emotional, and personal state will increase their success. An ideal environment for a child would have many positive non-school factors and few negative non-school factors. (1) Likewise, when school-based factors are aligned to support quality instruction and minimize the effects of negative non-school issues, student achievement improves.
Although each factor in student achievement deserves careful consideration and acknowledgment when making educational policy or supporting student growth, we'd like to focus on a specific few.
The Michelle Young Foundation recognizes the following as factors as those where public support can impact student success.
Parent Involvement
Parents play an essential role in their child's education. In the early years, parents are their child's first teachers, and they have a significant impact on their child's academic journey.
They can help establish a strong foundation for learning by creating a positive learning environment at home. This includes fostering a love of learning, providing a quiet space for studying and supplying the necessary resources such as books, art supplies, and educational toys.
As children progress through school, parents continue to play an integral role in their child's education. They can support their child's academic growth by encouraging them to read, do homework, and complete assignments on time. They can also attend parent-teacher conferences and communicate regularly with the child's teachers to stay informed about their child's progress and to address any concerns.
Parents can help their child develop good study habits such as effective time management, organization, and note-taking skills. They can also teach their child how to set academic goals and work towards achieving them. By doing so, parents can instill the value of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
Parents who take an active role in their child's education not only provide valuable support and encouragement but also set a strong foundation for their child's future academic and professional success.
Perhaps you're not a parent, though. Even so, you can make your mark on education or influence the life of a young person.
Role Models and Positive Influence
Role models can have a profound impact on students' academic and personal development. They can serve as powerful sources of inspiration, motivation, and guidance.
Positive role models can inspire students and provide them with the motivation to overcome obstacles and challenges. By showing students how to handle adversity with grace and determination, role models can help them develop resilience and a growth mindset.
Role models can also provide students with valuable support and encouragement. They can offer advice and guidance on academic and personal matters, which can be especially beneficial for students who may not have access to this guidance otherwise. In some cases, role models may even serve as mentors to students, providing them with ongoing support and guidance as they navigate through their academic and personal lives.
Positive role models can help students develop important values such as hard work, integrity, and empathy. By observing the positive qualities of their role models, students can learn how to embody these qualities themselves, which can be instrumental in their personal and academic growth.
Teacher Efficacy
Efficacy encompasses a teacher's confidence in their ability to design and implement effective lesson plans, establish positive relationships with students, engage them in learning, and provide necessary support to help them succeed academically.
At the heart of teacher efficacy is the belief that teachers have in their ability to positively influence their students' learning outcomes.
Research has shown that teacher efficacy is strongly associated with student achievement and engagement. Teachers with high levels of efficacy tend to have a positive attitude toward their students, which fosters trust and respect and encourages students to participate actively in class.
They also tend to be more willing to try new teaching techniques and adapt their instruction to meet the diverse needs of their students. Such practices can lead to more effective learning experiences, higher academic performance, and improved attitudes toward learning.
Can the average person really affect teacher efficacy? Absolutely. Voters can use their power to support legislation that impacts teacher training, retention, and recruitment of highly qualified individuals.
Resources and Opportunities
The impact of resources and opportunities on student learning is significant. Access to resources such as textbooks, technology, and educational materials can make a substantial difference in a student's ability to learn and succeed academically.
For instance, having access to textbooks and other educational materials can help students to better understand concepts and engage more actively in the learning process. Access to technology can enable students to access a wealth of information and resources beyond what is available in their immediate environment, expanding their horizons and providing them with new opportunities to learn and grow.
Opportunities such as extracurricular activities, internships, and mentorship programs can also have a significant impact on student learning.
These experiences provide students with opportunities to develop new skills, explore new interests, and gain hands-on experience that can be invaluable in their academic and professional pursuits. For example, participating in extracurricular activities can help students develop leadership skills, build confidence, and expand their social networks, all of which can contribute to their overall success in school and beyond.
It is essential to ensure that all students have equal access to resources and opportunities to support their learning and development. By donating time and monetary support, we can help to level the playing field and ensure that every student has the chance to reach their full potential.
Student Opportunities Through Philanthropy
The common thread throughout each of these factors is adults who care. It takes the commitment and encouragement of like-minded individuals to make student success and learning a reality for all.
Whether you're an invested parent, an informed voter, or an interested donor, you too can be part of the support that creates student success!
The Michelle Young Foundation is proud to support teachers and students in all learning endeavors. We offer students expanded opportunities and scholarships to explore their areas of interest in ways they might not otherwise have access to. We invite you to learn more about our programs and join us in becoming a factor that fosters student learning and success!
"Most Student Achievement is Attributed to Out-of-School Factors." Children at Risk, 20 June 2021, childrenatrisk.org/vlog_student_achievementheath/.