Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

GUEST COLUMN:

Ensuring student success requires group effort

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. And given that children, by age 18, spend more than 13% of their waking hours in school — according to the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) — we as educators collectively recognize the important role we play in their growth and development, and we take that responsibility seriously.

During October’s National Principals Month, as principal of the Delta Academy, I can appreciate an observance that celebrates the important role that principals play. However, our efforts would be fruitless if not for the dedication and support from staff, parents and the students themselves. 

It all starts with school culture. According to a study by the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research, principals are most able to influence student learning by fostering strong learning climates, defined as safe, supportive environments with high, consistent and clear expectations for students. So what does that look like when put into practice? 

Students do better in school if they feel physically and emotionally safe — they miss fewer classes, are less likely to engage in risky or antisocial behaviors and achieve higher test scores. That’s why we go to great lengths to provide a warm, family-oriented, friendly and bully-free school where everyone can be themselves and be treated with respect and dignity. We take great pride in being a small school in a big city. 

We know each of our students and give them more attention than they might receive in a large school. This is incredibly important — when you know and understand someone, you are better positioned to help them and make a positive impact. 

The ways that students learn are just as varied and dynamic as the students themselves. Some learn better online, others absorb more in-person and some require a combination of both, which is why providing an individualized education is key to their success. While exceptional curriculum is one contributing factor to success, an arguably more impactful element is standing against the “us versus them” mentality that we’ve seen trending over the years. 

Parents and teachers must have a teamwork mentality to help children be successful. According to the NAESP, nearly 87% of children’s time is spent out of school and mainly at home. So, parents and teachers supporting one another and being on each other’s side will make all the difference in a student’s life. 

Good, supportive relationships are also vital when it comes to the teacher-student dynamic. According to the American Psychological Association, in one study, high school students with behavior and emotional problems were assigned to an intervention involving weekly interactions with teachers, monthly calls to students at home and increased praise from adults. Over the five-month intervention period, the students showed higher grade point averages than their peers who were not receiving the intervention. This underscores just how crucial positive teacher-student relationships are to academic success.

Students must trust that they can communicate effectively with their teachers — and are supported by them — even if they are absent from class or learning virtually. 

Teachers, parents, students, principals and so many others are all needed to improve the education landscape. It truly does “take a village” to ensure students have the proper environment, tools and positive relationships to inspire growth and learning.

Bruce Congleton is the principal of the Delta Academy, a public charter school in North Las Vegas.