Education support is a crucial element in fostering an environment where students can thrive. It encompasses a variety of resources that help students succeed academically and socially, including tutoring services, counseling programs, and financial assistance.
Educators play an essential role in providing education support to their students. They can identify areas where student needs are lacking and provide them with the resources they need to excel.
Student Success
Student success is a key component of the higher education experience and, when done well, can provide students with a more meaningful degree journey. However, there are a number of factors that make it difficult for students to thrive in college and it’s important that institutions understand them so they can provide the right type of support.
Student success metrics help ensure that all students have the opportunity to excel. Providing these metrics to all stakeholders can help institutions to identify gaps and address them as they occur, making for a more comprehensive approach to student support. To measure student success, colleges should look at things like student engagement and graduation rates. Additionally, they should consider using predictive and prescriptive analytics to track student progress and intervene with them when necessary. This could include things like identifying at-risk students and connecting them with the right resources on campus. This can have a significant impact on retention and graduation rates.
School-Based Resources
Many school-based programs aim to promote student mental health and well-being. Some take a comprehensive approach that includes school-wide reforms, like trauma-informed practices, while others are more focused on individual care. Some of these programs include social-emotional skills training, substance use prevention, and character education.
Several county agencies are well-positioned to provide technical assistance to support community school initiatives. For example, in Alameda County, HCSA oversees school-based health centers and supports the development of partnerships that bring a range of services to districts.
The school-based health center model provides critical support services for students and families. For instance, SBHCs can provide medical and dental care, family planning, youth development programming, health education, and prescription management. Locating these services in schools addresses several barriers to participation. For example, the physical proximity to services minimizes transportation and time costs, while integrating them into the school environment raises awareness and makes them more accessible. Moreover, these resources are free, further reducing financial obstacles to participation.
Community Programs
Community programs address nonacademic barriers to learning and help students engage with education. They can include nutrition programs, mental health counseling, and wraparound services to help families with housing assistance. Some also provide job training and English-as-a-Second-Language classes.
Integrated student supports that remove barriers to learning enable students to take full advantage of high-quality instruction and achieve academic success. These programs may also help reduce conflict, bullying and punitive disciplinary actions.
When schools and communities work together to improve the quality of life, everyone benefits. For example, a community service program that has citizens plant trees in their neighborhoods results in cleaner air and streets as well as a sense of belonging and ownership of the natural environment. These are the kinds of social gains that can lead to broader sustainable efforts. Community involvement can also help with creativity and critical thinking, essential to academic achievement. Moreover, it builds relationships among community members and leads to collaboration in solving local problems.
Online Platforms
Online platforms can provide an opportunity to build community and connection. For instance, students may connect with peers and teachers through social media for support with projects or questions outside of class. However, schools need to make sure this is done in a safe, respectful manner that promotes positive digital literacy skills.
Learning destination sites offer a webspace or portal abundant with educational content and resources that a student can access on their own. These sites often feature live lectures as well as self-paced programs that cater to a range of skill levels and learning interests.
Streaming platforms deliver on-demand access to movies, music and more, appealing to students looking for entertainment and cultural enrichment. Communication platforms facilitate real-time or asynchronous text, voice and video communications that are useful for students and teachers working remotely or on collaborative projects. These tools also help to ensure student and teacher accessibility in virtual classrooms. This is particularly important for students with special needs or who are isolated.