What factors affect student success?

by Larry Aceves

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Dear Colleague: What are the factors that affect student learning? Some obvious answers come to mind: Teacher quality, classroom resources, instructional leadership at the school site. But even when those factors are in place, some kids still don't learn. Why? Sometimes what is lacking is an unwaivering commitment that all children can learn. Sometimes what is lacking is a "no excuses" attitude. Perhaps those students have never been taught the skills needed to be able to learn effectively. Author John Jay Bonstingl (pg. 8) writes, "Our research has shown that, when young people fail at school, it is most often not because they are stupid, lazy or psychologically incapable. Rather, it is because they have not been taught the developmentally appropriate tools, skills and strategies every child needs to succeed in school and in life." Teaching the five essential skills that lead to success is part of the "Expanding Learning Potential" project spearheaded by Boustingl, director of the Center for Schools of Quality. In fact, "quality" is the foundation of many of the best practices in today's schools. Almost six in 10 U.S. public schools now have a formalized quality improvement approach in place, according to the American Society for Quality, which adiministers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Author Jennifer Thiede (pg. 10) explains the Baldrige process she uses in her classroom to achieve breakthrough student performance results, gained by "working smarter rather than harder by engaging students in their own learning."

Student and teacher engagement are key to National Distinguished Principal of the Year Doris Alvarez, principal of The Preuss School at U.C. San Diego. However, Alvarez (pg. 12) warns that "it is not enough that students are just busy, because one should not equate engagement with busyness." Also essential are "the important ingredients of rigor, challenge and relevance" Alvarez writes. The Middle College High School concept (pg. 16) contains all three of those ingredients. The secondary intervention program works to spark the interest of kids who never considered college an option by exposing them to the entire college experience, while also equipping them with the skills they need for success. So, what factors affect student learning? Along with the strategies outlined in these articles, I challenge all of us to examine our schoolwide practices as they relate to engaging all children in a challenging, motivating learning environment. Sincerely, Larry Aceves ACSA President COPYRIGHT 2002 Association of California School Administrators COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning