Supported
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.
School and communities committed to educating the whole child connect students with caring adults throughout a student's school career through a variety of positive relationships. These relationships reinforce academic achievement and social, civic, ethical, and emotional development.
Ensuring that each student is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged requires us to continually ask questions and examine evidence related to implementation. ASCD's indicators of a whole child approach provide a guide for continual school and community improvement and serve as a definition of what a whole child approach to education truly requires. Download the set of supported indicators (PDF).
From the Whole Child Blog
Field Notes: Raising Learning Warriors
Moses was my student in Brooklyn, N.Y. He came from Guyana, was 10 years old, and deaf. His mother, who spoke no English and knew no one in New York, had made the treacherous journey to the United States to give him the opportunity to go to school. He was the skinniest boy I had ever seen, with longer-than-long legs that he sometimes tripped over when he ran. Moses was not getting enough to eat at home, so I started bringing him food. Some days, he did not eat from the time he left me until the next morning at school.
Moses and his mother lived in one tiny room where the heat sometimes did not work. His mother worked two jobs and was rarely home for more than an hour when Moses returned from school. Yet here he was, at long last, in a school for the deaf where he could finally thrive and learn.
Whole Child Examples
High School Example
School Staff Works Tirelessly to Improve their Students
Milwaukie High School's staff works tirelessly to improve their students’ academic, social, and emotional growth; to expand their educational practices; and sharpen the administration’s focus on staff professional development.
All Supported Examples
High School Example
Award Winning School is Committed to Helping its Students Achieve
Elementary Example
Suburban School Provides a Safe Environment for its Students and Staff
Elementary Example
Suburban School and Community Encourages Students to Live Healthy Lives
Elementary Example
Engaged Learning Community Creates Safe, Supportive, Challenging Environment for Students
Elementary Example
Related Posts
Uncommon Commonsense Ways to Empower Struggling Students
Implications of the New “Poor”
Transforming Learning and Teaching Through the Pedagogy of Confidence
Podcast
The New Poverty: Dealing with Economic Change
In this episode of the Whole Child Podcast, we discuss the current economic downturn; its result that many families and children face reduced circumstances; and implications for schools, many of which have seen drastic changes in the populations they serve and their communities.
Related Resources
Implementing the Common Core State Standards: The Role of the Secondary School Leader Action Brief
Implementing the Common Core State Standards: The Role of the Elementary School Leader Action Brief
Implementing the Common Core State Standards: The Role of the School Counselor Action Brief
Start School with Breakfast: A Guide to Increasing School Breakfast Participation
