Education support is a broad term that encompasses a variety of resources, services and guidance designed to help students navigate their learning journey. Whether it is through school or community programs, educational support allows students to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Morganstern notes that ESPs often grew up and live in the communities where they work, helping them build strong connections between schools and families. These ties are critical in establishing two-way communication and engagement, which are hallmarks of community school initiatives.
Student Success
For many students, success in academia goes far beyond academic achievement and straight A’s on their report card. It includes personal growth and holistic development, career preparedness, and a sense of belonging in the higher education community.
Student support services like tutoring, academic advising, writing centers, peer mentors, math and science labs, study groups and skill seminars are vital tools to help students overcome learning obstacles. Institutions that prioritize these resources and connect students with their instructors will see an impact on student retention and graduation rates.
Student success metrics can also be used to identify at-risk learners and intervene at the right time with the appropriate tools and strategies. By using a student engagement platform, like Creatrix Campus, institutions can gather lagging and leading data indicators and provide holistic student support to ensure each learner is equipped for their educational journey. The ultimate goal is to set them up for lifelong academic, professional, and personal success.
Family Involvement
Parents and family are an integral part of a student’s support system. Research shows that student achievement increases when families are involved with the education process.
Family involvement goes beyond attending parent-teacher conferences or volunteering at school events. It involves active collaboration between teachers, parents and students. It also includes communication and learning at home and in the community. The key to successful family involvement is building trust and respect over time. Educators must be open to working with families and take into account the many challenges that families face.
Schools should focus on getting to know families, including their culture and history. This means making sure that all families feel welcome in the school community. It may mean providing interpreters for parents who do not speak English. And it may mean implementing a student-centered approach to planning and instruction, which encourages families to share their knowledge with students. Families can provide valuable insight into what motivates their children and how best to help them learn.
School Resources
School resources include a broad range of tools and guidance aimed at improving the overall educational environment. They encompass everything from physical facilities and technology to human support and funding. A comprehensive approach to education includes the use of all available resources to ensure that students are given the best chance at success in the classroom.
In many countries, resource allocation is one of the largest expenditures on government budgets. However, there remains much uncertainty about how these resources impact student achievement. Most research on this issue focuses on the relationship between student assessment scores and school resources, using aggregate data and econometric analyses.
Quality resources enhance both in-person and online learning experiences. For example, a well-stocked library can provide students with access to a wide variety of materials, while modern classroom technology allows teachers to create engaging lessons that capture student interest. Furthermore, counseling services and tutoring programs can help students overcome academic or emotional challenges.
Community Support
Using community support systems can help individuals navigate challenges and achieve their goals. These networks of people and organizations provide emotional connection, informational support, and practical assistance. Educators can support community-building activities and encourage collaboration by encouraging students to participate in these groups.
Encourage schools to partner with community-based organizations that offer services for children and families. These programs can offer education, training, or even housing. They also connect families to health care and social service providers in their neighborhoods, so that they don’t have to spend time navigating multiple agencies or appointments. They also speak the language of the family and respect their culture.
Support state policies that enable districts to identify and coordinate community resources, including through a collaborative school needs assessment process that includes student, parent, and community input. Ensure that these partnerships evolve from initial efforts into a unified, comprehensive, and equitable system of whole-child supports. Support a full-time community school director at each site who is responsible for analyzing needs and assets, identifying and building on existing initiatives, and coordinating services.