New Report from Mainstay Recommends Ways to Improve the College Experience for First-Generation Students
“When I arrived on campus as a first-year college student, the differences between me and my peers were clear. So many of my fellow classmates seemed at home, not just among the beautiful buildings and green spaces, but also with the small nuances of the higher education experience — from skillfully finding the right courses to simply approaching faculty and staff for help. As the first member of my immediate family to go to college, I very quickly realized I had a longer, more stressful road ahead than those who showed up already knowing what to expect.” Read more
Six Ways to Depressurize Back-to-School Days for High School Students
Heading back to school has always been stressful for students. This year’s return, which follows the destabilizing Pandemic, could prove to be even more difficult for them.
Some school systems and states across the country are already taking steps to make the transition easier. California, for example, has passed a law requiring that no public schools in the state start their days any earlier than 8:30 A.M.
That seems like a good way to reduce stress on high school students. But there are other ways to depressurize life for students who are returning to classrooms. Here’s a selection of strategies that educators have found to work. Read more
Resources Supporting Girls’ and Women’s Participation in STEM Fields
The Student Research Foundation has been pleased to partner with the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) for several years, supporting girls’ and young women’s access to, and participation in, STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). We collaborate on our annual research project, created by the Research Consortium on STEM Career Pathways, engaging high school students and their teachers. Read more
New Report Suggests New Ways to Use Data to Build Student Success
“Increase the Human & Financial Benefits of Student Success Initiatives,” an important new study you can download from Civitas Learning, suggests some effective new ways that educators can use student data to improve graduation rates and foster other positive outcomes.
Although the report focuses on student success at institutions like the University of Central Oklahoma, Utah State, and Austin Community College, we feel that lessons from the report can be used to improve student success in K-12 too. Read more
Why Teachers Who Expect Every Student to Love Every Lesson Are Setting Themselves Up for Failure
Of course, teachers want their students to enjoy everything they do in the classroom. But according to a thoughtful post, “Why Realistic Classroom Expectations Are Important” that middle school teacher Brent Modak wrote for the Asset Education blog, expecting every student to love every lesson is counterproductive. Read more