Education support is a broad term that encompasses the professional, administrative and technical staff working within the educational sector. This includes aides, clerical services, food services, transportation, skilled trades and more.
There are a variety of strategies for providing education support to students, from relationship-based approaches like teaming or advisories, to skill-based supports that focus on academic literacy or technology skills.
Educators
Educators are a vital part of the school system. They keep classrooms running smoothly and students learning in the most productive environment possible. They also serve as mentors and guides to young people, promoting lifelong learning and encouraging personal growth.
Providing learners with one-to-one support, they adapt teaching methods and materials to meet student needs and ensure that every child can reach their full potential. Educators work closely with other school staff to implement Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and ensure that each student receives the right level of intervention to help them succeed.
Providing education and career counseling, academic advising and advocacy, tutoring services, open use computer labs and writing center. Also, assisting participants in applying for community college, university or other college-level classes. Often, education support services include transportation assistance and day care expenses. All these services are documented in the participant’s service plan.
Administrators
Administrators keep universities, colleges and other educational institutions running by managing administrative, financial and support systems. These professionals manage staff, create and implement policies, handle disciplinary matters, conduct standardized testing, analyze data and ensure safety protocols for students and teachers.
Administrators who work in primary, middle and high schools often work in dynamic environments. They manage school activities, interact with teachers and students on a daily basis and maintain open communication channels with parents. They oversee curriculum implementation, establish school policies and manage budgets, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Those who work in higher education institutions like colleges and universities have more traditional office spaces where they participate in academic meetings, research and policy discussions. These professionals might also collaborate with business, non-profit organizations and local government agencies to enhance student opportunities. They might manage career development services and establish internships and mentorship programs for students. They handle a variety of other responsibilities as well, including student recruitment, fundraising and quality assurance.
Support Staff
School support staff (paraeducators, custodians, cafeteria workers, secretaries, clerical and technical service, transportation, security and food services) provide specialized instructional support inside the classroom. Outside the classroom, they build trusting relationships with students, help create a nurturing school environment, and take leadership roles in community building, crisis management, and conflict resolution.
ESPs are often the most immediate and direct conduit into the lives of students, interacting with them daily while providing maintenance, transportation, security, clerical, food, and other services. Many ESPs also live, vote, and shop in the communities where they work, which creates a sense of stewardship among them.
Education support services may include tutoring and formal classes to receive a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) diploma or to learn job skills, an apprenticeship program, vocational training or any other class. Generally, these are authorized in a participant’s service plan. ESPs deserve decent wages, respect for their important work and the same rights as other education personnel.
Students
Education support professionals meet the needs of the whole student on many levels, ensuring that students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged so they can learn. They use the principles of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to provide students with the tools they need to reach their potential, including academic support.
Academic support is an integral part of the learning process, but it can be difficult to implement effectively without adequate training and resources. Moreover, a lack of awareness about available services can discourage students from seeking help. To better understand this, the authors of this study investigated the service utilization of ten on-campus student support providers in Qatar University during Spring (2019) and Fall (2019).
The authors found that students with sufficient awareness of available services were more likely to seek help when needed. They were also more likely to be successful and persist in their courses if they used services. Furthermore, the authors observed that student gender and nationality did not influence their usage of student support services.