Education support refers to activities and programs designed to improve student learning, engagement, and well-being. They are delivered by a range of actors, including teachers, students, peers, parents, volunteers, experts, institutions, and organizations.
Administrators play an important role in coordinating and evaluating education support services. They may face challenges, opposition, and criticism in their efforts to influence and regulate these services.
1. Improving student achievement and well-being
Education support services can improve student outcomes and well-being by creating a safe, positive, and engaging learning environment. They can also help students manage the challenges of school, and connect them with resources, opportunities, and networks.
Existing studies have found that the internal team environment (ITE) in management education is positively associated with psychological well-being of students [7]. Institutional support includes the highly valued resources, opportunities and services provided by an educational institute to its students, whereas family and friends support encompasses the socioemotional and instrumental assistance offered by these individuals to students.
Administrators can play an important role in the coordination, oversight, and evaluation of education support services. However, they may face obstacles when implementing these policies, such as limited resources, time, and training. They should be knowledgeable, responsive, and transparent in their interactions with students and educators. This will ensure that education support services are effective and equitable. It will also encourage participation, engagement, and accountability amongst all stakeholders.
2. Enhancing teacher performance and satisfaction
Education support services can also enhance teachers’ professional growth and well-being by providing them with the training, coaching, and consultation they need to improve their teaching skills and competencies. They can also provide them with peer and collaboration opportunities, as well as recognition and reward.
In addition, educational support services can strengthen and empower educational institutions by helping them develop, implement, and monitor policies, programs, and initiatives that promote student achievement and well-being, as well as foster a positive school culture and climate. They can also provide resources and partnerships for school improvement and innovation.
Education support professionals work full time during school hours and receive several weeks off for federal and state holidays. They typically report to the dean of students or principal.
3. Fostering school improvement
In schools that are underperforming, there is often a great deal of urgency for improvement. But the root causes of underperformance are complicated, and focusing on specific problems can cause people to lose sight of what needs to change overall.
Fostering school improvement requires a systemic approach that is grounded in the principles of continuous learning and aimed at all parts of the basic infrastructure of the school. It must include educator capacity and development, a focus on student learning through rich curriculum and instruction, new leadership and organizational structure, collaborative school culture, and strong community partnerships that support learning.
School-level accountability systems that go beyond annual test scores can help to align resources and build a shared vision of excellence. They also create a clear framework for improving instruction, setting expectations that align to the standards, and providing timely, focused feedback to educators. This kind of accountability can also support the development of more innovative strategies to improve education for students and communities.
4. Preventing disengagement from school
Everyone goes through periods of disengagement from school, but teachers should be concerned when students’ absences or lack of motivation starts to interfere with their education. It’s also a concern when the problem has been ongoing for more than a few weeks.
One way to prevent educational disengagement is by identifying what’s causing it. This could be boredom, personal problems, difficulty with the material, or a combination of these factors. It is important for educators to understand the root cause so they can tailor their support appropriately.
Many teachers find themselves frustrated and upset by students’ resistance, especially when they feel that it is a personal attack on their teaching. But it’s essential for teachers to look past this initial reaction and consider the fact that students are struggling with very real issues that they can’t control. A few simple strategies, like implementing different active learning strategies, can help teachers keep their students engaged throughout the year.