Supported
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.
Too many children do not benefit from this kind of support. Too few teachers have learned about child development as part of their preparation or ongoing professional development. Experts recommend one counselor for every 250 students across all grade levels, but the current average ratio is 488:1 with several states exceeding 700:1 (www.schoolcounselor.org). Also, 15 million at-risk students need mentors but don't have them (Mentors, Inc.).
To ensure that all students are adequately supported, ASCD recommends, at a minimum:
- Every student has an adult advisor or mentor
- Students have access to school counselors or other student support systems