Authentic Connections

In honor of my 100th post to this blog, I wanted to discuss the importance of authentic connections and the impact that connection has of student achievement.

Research has demonstrated that authentic teacher-student relationships in the classroom contribute to overall academic achievement. If it were that simple, then an achievement gap would not exist, and everyone would be learning on grade level however, that is not the case. Teacher-student relationships are important to the learning process but not the only answer. 

Due to the possibility for disconnection or disengagement with school, many schools and teachers struggle to help students achieve. This is why there must be a broader focus on relationship building in schools. In a one quantitative survey, the outcome of a 60-item survey to middle school students produced a significant correlation between academic growth and student perceptions of the teacher-student relationship. This result establishes the need for teachers to develop positive authentic relationships with students to help improve academic achievement. The focus must shift from methodologies in content areas to interpersonal communication and relationship building skills to help with academic improvement and to bridge the achievement gap. 

In support of this focus, a study was produced in which the students credited their academic achievement to the positive relationship they had with their teacher and the fact that they were more engaged in the curriculum, more motivated to study, and performed better overall due to the relationship. In direct contrast, the teachers reported overwhelmingly that they did not believe the positive relationship with students had any effect on the outcome of their achievement. Research suggests that teacher perceptions of school quality and students are a factor that contributes to the achievement gap. The only way to combat that is to create a teacher professional development plan to improve school culture, climate, along with student outcomes. Relationship building should be foundational, constant, and continual in any plan for improvement.

The bottom line is the students don't really care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Until next time...