Safe, Inclusive Learning in Middle School
Reflection on middle school teaching, tutoring, and learning experiences calls attention to two points: how lack of engagement between families and schools contribute to achievement gaps; and how communication supports safe and diverse learning. The goal is that children succeed academically, which requires continuous improvements to family engagement efforts.
Parents work long hours to provide safe home environments just as educators work long hours to ensure safe learning environments. What happens at home impacts what happens at school (and vice versa). Though parents and educators work hard to excel in their respective roles, it is in the space where both roles overlap that exists opportunities to facilitate safe and inclusive learning in middle school.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings and campus parent events connect parents with children’s performance data in meaningful ways. There are many more opportunities that parents and guardians can get involved with the school.
Attendance isn’t guaranteed
Lack of communication between guardians and schools regarding academic performance and behavior is a missed opportunity. Although every parent desires to see their children excel academically, not all give up their time to take an active role in supporting their children’s education. The unengaged parent avoids communication with the school; the busy school overlooks communication from the parent.
In collaboration with engaged parents, schools are limited in improving family engagement efforts. Promoting meetings and events among the busy and unengaged is challenging; by definition, attendance and participation are unlikely. What can be done differently?
Middle School in Context
It's no secret that middle school can be tough. Students are not just mastering new and challenging academic materials, but they are also wrestling with the social and emotional ebbs and flows of adolescence. It's a moment in time when many kids begin to feel ostracized, either because of their identity or academic performance.
Classroom discipline tends to focus on conformity with rules and regulations. While many factors contribute to a safe and inclusive school setting, common factors include positive relationships between staff and students, clear rules and expectations, and consistent implementation of discipline policies. Schools either fall short of adopting holistic approaches that reach beyond classroom discipline to establish safe and inclusive learning environments for middle schoolers, or school fall short of successfully implementing holistic approaches. Even the best intentioned schools fall short of making continuous improvements to their approaches in order to keep in step with evolving school culture.
Safety and Inclusion
How can stakeholders help middle school students feel like they’re in a learning environment where they truly belong? This happens through strong family engagement and open communication. Studies show that strong family engagement and open communication are necessary to improve children and youth outcomes and encourage safe and inclusive learning in middle school.
Below are reasons why strong family and school partnerships and open communication support safe and inclusive learning in middle school.
Students feel welcome, supported, and respected in school. They feel supported in their academic and social growth when parents and educators work together. This alliance makes them feel appreciated and part of a team effort.
Educators develop a better understanding of each student as a whole person. They feel respected in their roles and encouraged to keep families informed of children's growth, classroom activities, and performance concerns.
Parents develop a better understanding of their children as maturing adolescents. They feel heard and learn to hear students. Parents develop the skills and obtain the knowledge to advocate for middle schoolers who may feel intimidated or terrified to speak up for themselves.
Team work makes the dream work. Success is best when educators, learners and their families work together as a team.
Forging adaptable Connections
Since the busy and unengaged likely require an adaptable approach, maintaining open communication may require different types of communication. Consider incorporating options from the list that work for you and your team.
Classroom visits
Formal parent-teacher conferences
Informal private conferences over coffee (or tea)
Phone calls
Email updates
School’s social media
Classroom website
Online gradebook (PowerSchool, ActiveStudent, ActiveParent)
Newsletters
Text message blasts
Parents and educators share crucial roles in keeping the lines of communication open. Each team faces its own communication challenges and requires a custom solution. Suggestions in the list are only the tip of the iceberg; there are many more creative ways to foster safe and inclusive learning in middle school.
In order to keep the focus on learning and addressing achievement gaps, it is essential that learning environments are safe and inclusive. While many factors contribute to a safe and inclusive school setting, key elements of a holistic approach include positive relationships between educators, students, and parents; clear rules and expectations; and quality relevant resources and tools.
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