Supported
Each student has access to personalized learning and is supported by qualified, caring adults.
In addition to improving students' academic performance, research shows that supportive schools also help prevent a host of negative consequences, including isolation, violent behavior, dropping out of school, and suicide. Central to a supportive school are teachers, administrators, and other caring adults who take a personal interest in each student and in the success of each student.
What We Know
When schools and the adults in them generate a school culture that supports the development of the students, student achievement improves and behavior problems decrease greatly (Comer, 2004).
More than one in five students says there is no adult at their school who cares about them and knows them well (Yazzie-Mintz, 2007).
Lower student-to-counselor ratios decrease both the recurrence of student disciplinary problems and the number of students involved in a disciplinary incident (Carrell & Carrell, 2006).
Learning environments that focus on caring student-teacher relationships, students' social and emotional needs, and high expectations result in students who perform better academically; are more likely to attend school; and have significantly lower rates of emotional distress, violence, delinquency, substance abuse, and sexual activity (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, 2008).
What We Recommend
It makes sense that for students to learn at high levels, they must first feel supported by caring, qualified adults. Students who don't have access to adult role models, advisors, mentors, counselors—or to teachers who understand their social and emotional development—are unlikely to do well academically. To ensure that all students are adequately supported, we recommend, at a minimum:
- Each student has an adult advisor or mentor
- Students have access to school counselors or other student support systems
Please take a moment and grade your school and community.
Find resources to support students in your school and community.
