Student Connectedness

Students are more likely to succeed when they feel connected to school.

School bonding, school climate, teacher support, student engagement: Researchers have used these terms over the years to address the concept of school connectedness. School connectedness refers to an academic environment in which students believe that adults in the school care about their learning and about them as individuals.

We are going to be doing an activity at Wednesday's staff meeting that will help us identify those students that may need strengthened connections to an adult at Houlton.  As we prepare for this discussion, please review the Wingspread Declaration of School Connections, which compiles input from leaders in the health and education fields, as well as years of research on strategies that have proven effective in creating engaging school climates in which students feel connected.

Wingspread Declaration on School Connections

Students are more likely to succeed when they feel connected to school. School connection is the belief by students that adults in the school care about their learning as well as about them as individuals. The critical requirements for feeling connected include students' experiencing

• High academic expectations and rigor coupled with support for learning.
• Positive adult/student relationships.
• Physical and emotional safety.

The most effective strategies for increasing the likelihood that students will be connected to school include

• Implementing high standards and expectations and providing academic support to all students.
• Applying fair and consistent disciplinary policies that are collectively agreed upon and fairly enforced.
• Creating trusting relationships among students, teachers, staff, administrators, and families.
• Hiring and supporting capable teachers skilled in content, teaching techniques, and classroom management to meet each learner's needs.
• Fostering high parent/family expectations for school performance and school completion.
• Ensuring that every student feels close to at least one supportive adult at school.

A Case for School Connectedness, Robert W. Blum (ASCD)