Posts

New dissertation explores the persistence of first-generation college students during COVID-19

Beckman, C.M. (2022). How first-generation undergraduates persisted during COVID-19: Adaptive capital? [Doctoral Dissertation, Saint Mary’s College of California]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  There are different persistence and retention rates between first-generation (FC) college students and continuing-generation college students (CS). Evidence also indicates that people who have a bachelor’s degree […]

Highlighting racism and unequal access to mentors in schools

Flitner, A., McQuillin, S., Kornbluh, M., & Thompson, D. (2023). Spotlighting racism in schools: Teacher mentors and the mediating effect of school safety. American Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12680 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Evidence shows that access to supportive relationships with adults and feeling safe at school increases the likelihood of youth success. However, […]

Christensen Institute report: How technology can personalize learning and build students’ relationships

By Thomas Arnett, Reprinted from the Christensen Institute In the wake of the pandemic, most schools have doubled down on ensuring each and every student receives the support needed to thrive both mentally and academically. As part of this increased call-to-action, strategies around accelerated learning, personalized learning, and building students’ relationships have dominated headlines and […]

New review discusses how paraprofessional providers can expand school-based motivational interviewing

Hart, M. J., McQuillin, S. D., Iachini, A., Weist, M. D., Hills, K. J., & Cooper, D. K. (2023). Expanding school-based motivational interviewing through delivery by paraprofessional providers: A Preliminary Scoping Review. School Mental Health.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-023-09580-3 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Schools are a common source of mental health for youths with elevated […]

From idea to action: 5 strategies to build students’ relationships

By Julia Freeland Fisher, Reprinted from the Christensen Institute By now, many educators have probably heard about the sweeping Nature study that revealed that whom you interacted with as you grew up is a major determinant of future economic success. Specifically, children who had connections with peers from higher-income families ended up with higher incomes […]

WT Grant Foundation: Reducing Educational Inequality After the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Adam Gamoran and Richard J. Murnane, reprinted from the William T. Grant Foundation When President Barack Obama declared in December 2013 that the stifling combination of growing inequality and lack of upward mobility constituted “the defining challenge of our time,” he pointed to education as a pathway to economic opportunity (Obama, 2013).1 Nevertheless, the […]

Study suggests ways to strengthen post-pandemic connections

O’Regan, C., Brady, B., & Connolly, C. (2022). Building back better – Using an ecological lens to argue for strengthening mesosystemic connections for young people in a post pandemic world. Child Care in Practice.  https://doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2022.2084364 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  It is evident that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will have long-term effects. Its disruptions […]

[The Credible Messengers Podcast] Episode 4: Credible Messengers in K-12 Schools

Do Credible Messengers play a role in K-12 schools? Tune in to the fourth episode of The Credible Messengers Podcast to learn about the current landscape in traditional and alternative public schools with the host, Brittany LaMarr. Guest speakers include… Leighton Johnson (Ice The Beef) – a mentor at an alternative high school in New […]

Do You Love Lunch?: How these feelings associate with students sense of belonging in school

Whiting, E. F., Hinton, A. E., & Jensen, B. (2022). Loving lunch in junior high: Lunchtime activities and a sense of belonging in school. Journal of community psychology, 50(7), 2973–2992. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22809 Summarized by Maggie Bayly Notes of Interest: All humans need a sense of belonging. For students, this idea is linked to memberships and connectedness to their […]

Students’ hidden networks: Relationship mapping as a strategy to build asset-based pathways

By Julia Freeland Fisher, Reprinted from The Christensen Institute Download Paper. To grow their students’ support and professional networks, schools frequently depend on hiring more staff on the margins, enlisting existing faculty and staff to take on additional responsibilities like mentoring and advising, or launching initiatives that recruit volunteers or alumni to engage in pro […]