The Whole Child

YES

Thanks for taking the time to Grade Your School and Community with our web-based tool.

Congratulations! We're delighted your school is using creative and innovative methods to make learning interesting and relevant for all students. When teachers use active learning strategies such as cooperative learning and project-based learning, students stay engaged while learning critical 21st century skills. Show teachers your support of innovative and creative learning strategies.

New Question:

How does the professional development plan in your district support the use of these skills and how are they shared with students and families?

If your school does not have a professional development plan or the plan is outdated, consider using ASCD's free online professional development planning tool. Think about how your plan meets the needs of veteran and new teachers across grade levels and content areas. Consider how your plan sustains learning throughout the school year and what opportunities staff members have to learn from each other. Finally, consider how non-teaching staff including those who provide custodial, cafeteria, and support services are included. Often, these staff members have broad contact with students and have valuable contributions to make to curricular and instructional decisions.

Thank you for taking a stand to support the whole child in your school or district! Please e-mail us at wholechild@ascd.org if we can further support your efforts.

NO

Thanks for taking the time to Grade Your School and Community with our web-based tool.

We are sorry to hear that teachers are not using skills that make learning interesting and relevant for students in your community. Like students in your school, 50 percent of the 81,000 students recently surveyed said they were bored in class every day. Three quarters of the students said that class materials aren't interesting. Your school is not alone.

The good news is that there are many resources for teachers anxious to get their students engaged in learning. Service learning and integrating technology are just a few ways teachers can get students pumped up about learning.

Many teachers are struggling to engage students and may not know how to improve their skills. The ASCD's PBL (Project-Based Learning) Network is a great example of the resources schools can utilize. The PBL Network mentors staff and explores project-based strategies especially in science and math.

What can you do? Consider starting a community conversation to get people talking about what engagement could look like in your school and community. You may also want to use ASCD's free professional development planning tool to develop a strategy for teachers wishing to improve their skills.

Thank you for taking a stand to support the whole child in your school or district! Please e-mail us at wholechild@ascd.org if we can further support your efforts.

I DON'T KNOW

Thanks for taking the time to Grade Your School and Community with our web-based tool.

Start by asking the children and parents you know about how relevant and interesting they find the curriculum. In a recent survey, students around the country described what they need to be engaged in school. Try using the questions we created based on students responses:

• Do you have a voice in determining course offerings?
• Do academic courses relate to the things you care about?
• Do school staff respect your nonacademic interests?
• Do you have inspiring role models?
• Do you have opportunities to connect with your community?

Thank you for taking a stand to support the whole child in your school or district! Please e-mail us at wholechild@ascd.org if we can further support your efforts.