Schools should pursue strategies that strengthen social support and academic press together rather than choosing one reform approach¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The report recommends that schools strengthen both conditions simultaneously, challenging "either-or" proposals for school reform. Observed support strategies include "creating smaller, more personalized learning environments for students, such as schools-within-schools", tutoring, parent education, and community mentoring. Press strategies include setting and communicating high expectations, professional development toward challenging work, incentive systems, and assessment systems used to improve instruction.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Efforts to raise standards and accountability must be accompanied by strong social support for students

Constraints¶

• Supportive environments alone may not lead to meaningful academic gains without academic press

Target Learners¶

• sixth and eighth grade students in urban elementary and middle schools

Target Learning Goals¶

• reading and mathematics achievement

Related Strategies¶

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Valerie E. Lee, Julia B. Smith, Tamara E. Perry, Mark A. Smylie. (1999). Social Support, Academic Press, and Student Achievement: A View from the Middle Grades in Chicago. Chicago Annenberg Research Project, Consortium on Chicago School Research. https://consortium.uchicago.edu/publications/social-support-academic-press-and-student-achievement-view-middle-grades-chicago