Episode 57: Unlocking Academic Potential for Students of Color

educators and administrators , as well as experiencing the micro- discriminations that I faced as an African American mom raising my two kids , who were in the public school system . I really wanted to understand how teachers were trained and what the research provided about the challenges of the public education system .

Once I gained the information and the insights that I needed , I was then equipped to be able to successfully support my children in their educational progress . If you're looking to find out more about current information and issues in education that could affect you or your children , then you're in the right place . Thanks for tuning in today .

I know that staying informed about K-12 education trends and topics is important to you , so keep listening . On today's episode , I'll be discussing what students need to succeed in school . What are the skills and characteristics that are needed for a student to succeed in school ? Are there additional skills that students of color need ?

I highlight these skills , attributes and characteristics based on my findings from the research , and I specify the single most important factor that you should consider when helping your child succeed . At the end of my discussion , Ii close this episode with a summary of key points . Let's get started .

Influencers of student success include students' perceptions and expectations , teaching techniques and strategies , learning styles and school characteristics . The most direct influencers of student success are the characteristics of teaching style , classroom activities and instruction interactions with students .

Other categories of significant influences on student learning include student aptitude , classroom instructional climate , home and peer context , program design , organization and state and district characteristics . These all show that psychological , instructional and contextual areas have the most impact on learning .

Perseverance , meaning the ability to persist in accomplishing a goal despite difficulty , delay or opposition , is another factor that contributes to student success . In other words , effort determines success . In studies of gifted children , perseverance was a stronger predictor than intelligence for success in adulthood .

Additionally , research has revealed that a key commonality in high achieving artists , athletes , chess players and mathematicians is an ability and willingness to put in long hours of time and effort . An individual's grit and self-discipline were also strong predictors of success when compared to IQ . Sustained and deliberate practice develops expertise .

Sustained and deliberate practice doesn't mean repeating the same task over and over again , but actively working to improve one's performance by incorporating feedback and reflection into one's practice session and then modifying future practice sessions accordingly .

The exercise of self-determination skills such as choice making , problem solving and self-advocating , as well as active involvement in transition planning , is positively related to skill instruction received as an opportunity to practice skills in inclusive settings Inclusion in community and school provides greater opportunities to make choices , express preferences , set goals and

become self-determined . Poverty , segregation and restrictiveness of setting may limit the development of an individual's self-determination . When limited inclusion is compounded with the lack of resources and opportunities for enriched and varied experiences , development of self-determination skills is likely to be hindered .

There seems to be a link between neighborhood mobility and student success outcomes . Where a student lives is strongly linked to school quality , access to educated adults , exposure to violence , etc . However , there is surprisingly little research on the link between the neighborhood in which a child begins school and later schooling outcomes .

Understanding early neighborhood experiences is important for determining whether students are stuck" in neighborhoods of disadvantage . It's also important to understand how a student's early neighborhood schooling experiences are related to later success in school . The question to address is whether changing neighborhood context improves student performance .

Another question to address is whether it is possible to move to opportunity that could later influence outcomes . Several research studies explore how neighborhoods shape academic performance , with consistent findings that students living in poor neighborhoods experience worse outcomes than their peers .

This research is largely correlational , but it may provide insights into how neighborhoods may shape student success outcomes for a variety of reasons . Neighborhoods of residents determine access to public goods and institutions that may contribute to academic success .

These may include public schools or libraries , cultural institutions like museums or community organizations such as YMCA that provide extracurricular activities . Neighborhoods also influence the set of adults that are available to serve as role models to students and provide access to networks .

Importantly , neighborhoods often determine a student's peer group both in and out of school , which could have implications for academic performance . Additionally , neighborhood crime , violence or noise may hamper academic success . Further , there is considerable evidence that early childhood experiences matter to academic success in the long run .

Several studies found that early school experiences , such as kindergarten class size or the quality of third grade teachers , affect later academic and non-academic outcomes , such as test scores , college attendance and wages or salaries .

In one study of students in the New York City neighborhoods , the findings indicated that in high-poverty neighborhoods there was high student mobility , although the results did not indicate whether the students were able to escape to higher quality neighborhoods . This study looked at a cohort of first graders and followed them through their academic career .

Students from high-poverty neighborhoods were more likely to experience significant increases in neighborhood quality compared with students in low-poverty neighborhoods . In contrast , students from high-quality neighborhoods were much less likely to experience decreases in neighborhood quality than their peers from low-quality neighborhoods .

The results indicate that there is considerable mobility out of high-poverty neighborhoods . However , among all mobile students , there is a mixture of moves , both significantly better and significantly worse neighborhoods . One of the ways in which residential mobility is expected to influence school performance is by providing access to higher quality schools .

Almost all of the students in this first grade cohort (roughly 98%) changed schools at least once during their K-12 academic career , but not all of these moves resulted in exposure to schools that had significantly different quality .

This study from 2016 indicated that making any school move is negatively related to performance , even if the move is to a similar low-quality school . Students who moved to low-quality schools performed worse than their peers who don't change schools .

Students who moved to higher-quality schools experienced no change in academic performance for math and only a slight decrease in reading performance . Changes in school quality have a more consistent relationship with student performance , so much so that moving to better schools helps performance and moving to lower-quality schools harms performance .

In fact , moving to better schools can be somewhat protective of any harmful effects of moving neighborhoods , at least when these moves are made to neighborhoods of similar quality .

The bottom line is: residential mobility tends to be negatively related to schooling outcomes , but moving to a significantly better quality school is positively related to student outcomes and may mitigate the additional negative impacts of moving to lower-quality neighborhoods .

There is little evidence that moving to higher-quality neighborhoods is related to improved academic performance . However , there is consistent evidence that moving neighborhoods is associated with decreases in both short- and long-term student performance and attainment , especially among students who moved to lower-quality neighborhoods .

Moving to a higher-quality school has positive effects on long- and short-term student performance . Students and families who make moves to higher-quality neighborhoods tend to be more concerned about their children's educational outcomes . They're more ambitious , more informed , etc . Let's keep this in mind . is not destiny .

Having a sufficient number of good' schools , helping families choose the good ones when they move neighborhoods , and even allowing them to stay in those good schools if they must move neighborhoods , are all mechanisms that could improve student's success outcomes . Students want to be involved in budgeting decisions at the school level .

For example , in 2023 , students who attend the Phoenix Union High School District in Arizona , of which about 28,000 students attend , would like to see the monies invested in expanding the district's job fair resources , including more opportunities to connect with local employers and prepare for their future careers .

Participatory budgeting is a democratic approach to resource allocation that allows students to pitch and vote on the projects at the district that will be committed to implementing with a portion of the available funds .

Many times , administrators overlook students' opinions about school decisions , but when school leaders seek out students' involvement , students feel more engaged and leaders have a better idea of what they can do to help students succeed . Sometimes students address other issues besides financial decisions .

As an example , a former principal of Western Branch Middle School in Chesapeake , Virginia , had students tell him that the school's dress code unfairly targeted clothes worn by girls and students of color and subjected them to harsher discipline . The students also pointed out that students of color were significantly underrepresented in the school's advanced level courses .

They also urged the principal to replace water fountains that even the staff weren't using because they considered those fountains were filthy . Parents are also part of the process and they get a chance to vote on initiatives that help students as well .

There are three skill sets that have been described in extensive research that are contributors to improved academic and social outcomes . The skill sets include 1 .

cognitive and metacognitive skills , such as goal setting , progress monitoring and memory skills; social skills , such as interpersonal skills , social problem solving , listening and teamwork skills ; and self-management skills , such as managing attention , motivation and anger .

Other factors , such as acculturation and family function , have proven relevant to academic achievement for students of color . Additionally , these considerations are worth noting for students of color and their success in schools 1 . Culturally responsive teaching and teacher quality .

Educators should incorporate culturally relevant content and teaching strategies that reflect and respect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of students of color . This helps create a more inclusive

and engaging learning environment . The quality of a teacher , how well they understand their students , make the lessons applicable for all children , set achievement expectations and holding high standards , etc . All matter when fostering academic success . 2 . Equity and access Ensuring equitable access to quality education and resources is vital .

This may involve providing additional support , such as tutoring or mentoring programs , to address any learning gaps and promote equal opportunities for academic success . 3 . Representation and role models . Promoting diverse representation in the curriculum , classroom materials and teaching staff can help students of color see themselves reflected in their educational environment .

Having role models who share their racial or ethnic background can inspire and motivate students . 4 . Community and parental involvement Building strong connections between schools , families and the community can provide a support network for students of color .

Engaging parents and caregivers in their children's education and involving the community in educational initiatives can help create a more supportive and inclusive atmosphere . 5 . Empowering and affirming environment . Fostering a positive and affirming school climate is essential for students of color to feel safe , valued and supported .

This includes addressing bias , promoting anti-racist practices and creating spaces for dialogue and understanding . Here are some action steps that you can take . The main action step that you can take to ensure that your student succeeds in school is to be involved .

Stay involved at the classroom level , the school level , the district level and , yes , even the state level . Show your participation in appropriate ways and ask questions when necessary . Follow up when a teacher or school administrator contacts you . Develop the necessary relationships that help foster a community of support for your child .

Make sure you know your child's capabilities and how best they can apply those capabilities to their schoolwork . Providing a supportive and encouraging environment , as well as an environment that upholds standards and high expectations , will help to contribute to your child's success in school .

Here are this episode's takeaways: The exercise of self-determination , skills such as choice-making , problem-solving and self-advocating , as well as active involvement in transition planning , are all positively related to skill instruction that's received in opportunities to practice skills in inclusive settings .

Making any school move is negatively related to performance , even if the move is to low-quality schools . Students who move to low-quality schools perform worse than their peers who don't change schools . Additionally , students who moved to higher quality schools experienced no change in academic performance for math and only a slight decrease in reading performance .

Changes in school quality have a more consistent relationship with student performance , so much so that moving to better schools helps performance and moving to lower quality schools harms performance . Perseverance is another factor that contributes to student success . In other words , effort determines success .

In studies of gifted children , perseverance was a stronger predictor than intelligence for success in adulthood . Influencers of student success include students' perception and expectations , teaching techniques and strategies , learning styles and school characteristics .

The most direct influencers of student success are the characteristics of teaching style , classroom activities and instructor interactions with students . There are three skill sets that have been described in extensive research that are contributors to improved academic and social outcomes .

The skill sets include: cognitive and metacognitive skills , such as goal setting , progress monitoring and memory skills; social skills , such as interpersonal skills , social problem solving , listening and teamwork skills; and self-management skills , such as managing attention , motivation and anger .

To succeed in school , students generally require a combination of various factors . Here are some of the elements that contribute to student success in school Academic skills , where students need a solid foundation in core subjects such as reading , writing , math and critical thinking .

These skills form the basis for learning and understanding new concepts across different subjects . motivation and engagement . Students who are motivated and engaged in their studies tend to perform better . They should have a sense of purpose , set goals and find personal relevance in their education .

Teachers and parents can help foster motivation by making learning enjoyable , providing real world examples and encouraging exploration and curiosity . They need to have effective study habits . Developing good study habits is crucial for success .

Students should learn to manage their time effectively , break tasks into smaller , manageable parts , create a conducive study environment and use appropriate study techniques such as note taking , summarizing and reviewing . They also need organization and time management skills .

Students need to be able to organize their assignments , prioritize tasks and manage their time effectively . Developing skills and planning , setting deadlines and maintaining a schedule can greatly enhance their productivity and reduce stress . Emotional well-being Students . Emotional well-being greatly influences their ability to focus , learn and retain information .

Schools should prioritize creating a safe and inclusive environment where students feel supported and valued . Encouraging emotional intelligence , stress management techniques and providing access to counseling services can help address emotional challenges . is parent involvement , which I've already addressed . Parents' involvement and support play a crucial role in a student's success .

Regular communication between parents and teachers engaging in their child's education , providing a conducive home environment for learning and reinforcing the value of education all contribute to a student's academic achievement . And finally , Students need the skills of adaptability and resilience .

The ability to adapt to new situations , overcome challenges and bounce back from setbacks is important for success in school . Encouraging a growth mindset , teaching problem-solving skills and promoting perseverance can help students develop resilience . The skills required for success in school aren't inherently different based on the student's race or ethnicity .

The fundamental academic skills motivation and engagement , study habits , organization , adaptability and resistance , as well as emotional well-being that are needed to succeed are universal and applicable to students of all backgrounds .

However , it is important to approach the educational needs of students of color with an understanding of the systemic and structural changes that they may face . By actively working toward equity , inclusion and culturally responsive practices , schools can help students of color thrive and succeed academically .

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I hope you'll come back for more K-12 educational discussions with even more exciting topics to untangle . , And be sure to stay tuned . . On the next episode , I'll be discussing how student poverty impacts academic performance . Until next time , aim to learn something new every day .