Relationships

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relationships

Relationships are the positive connections between students, adults and peers that foster positive social interaction and establish a nurturing environment of trust and support in schools.

Students who feel connected to school are more likely to succeed-- they have better school attendance, grades, and test scores and stay in school longer. Students who attend classrooms with higher emotional support are more likely to exert effort to understand difficult concepts. Building these relationships require perspectives that embrace positive attitudes and beliefs, cultural and linguistic competence, an understanding of the needs and experiences of students, and an understanding of the school environment. 

 

Featured Resources

Mother laughing with son

Examines how children across the United States were faring before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Identifies multi-year trends comparing statistics from 2010 to 2018 and utilizes this information to help shape policymakers, researchers, and advocates' work to build stronger futures for children, families, and communities.

Silhouette of people standing together.

Includes two modules trainers can use to address bullying in classrooms.  Specifically, it is designed to assist teachers in cultivating meaningful relationships with students while creating a positive climate in the classroom.

Graphic of students in front of a school.

Promotes healthy teen relationships including prevention strategies for individuals, peers, families, schools, and neighborhoods. Also, encourages ideas and experiences young teens need in order to have healthy relationships and prevent negative relationship behaviors early in life.

Front cover image of the Fostering School, Family, and Community Involvement resource

Identifies several components that, when effectively addressed, provide schools with the foundation and building blocks needed to create and maintain safe schools. Includes basics for school-family-community collaborations, collaborations in practice, and using policy for effective change.

CDC cover page on LGBT Youth

Provides research-based steps parents can take to support the health and well-being of LGBTQ youth. Also, outlines effects on education and mental health regarding this population and what can schools can do to foster a nurturing environment.  

Sudents outside of a classroom

Presents six evidence-based strategies that could be implemented to increase students’ sense of connectedness to school, along with specific actions that can be taken to implement each of the strategies.

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The contents of the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments Web site were assembled under contracts from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools to the American Institutes for Research (AIR), Contract Number  91990021A0020.

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