Want to Improve Student Outcomes and School Culture Simultaneously? Do This.
If you're aiming to elevate both student outcomes and school culture, the answer lies in a holistic approach that seamlessly integrates proactive restorative practices with a robust Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). By focusing on strategies that address both academic and behavioral needs, schools can create environments where students thrive, feel safe, and are empowered to reach their full potential.
Proactive Restorative Practices: The Foundation of Positive School Culture
Restorative practices are often seen through the lens of reactive measures—healing circles, conflict resolution, and alternatives to suspension. While these are critical components, they alone cannot create the ideal environment for learning. This is no surprise when research from EdWeek found that only 54% of teachers enter the profession with training on classroom management - meaning that most management and restorative systems are created reactively and in an ad-hoc way. The real power of restorative practices lies in their proactive strategies, which focus on social-emotional learning, goal-setting, relationship building, mentorship, and student identity development.
By systematically embedding these strategies into daily instruction, students can immediately see the benefits and apply their learning in real-time. This not only enhances their academic experience but also provides a sense of psychological safety, allowing them to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and grow. When students feel valued and secure, their sense of worth and belonging is protected, setting the stage for a more inclusive and supportive school culture.
Building an Equitable Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
To complement these proactive restorative practices, schools must develop an equitable MTSS. The key to an effective MTSS is ensuring that educators are not just addressing symptoms but identifying the root causes of students’ needs. By providing just-in-time support and maintaining student access to core Tier 1 instruction, students can receive the help they need without becoming overly reliant on it, ultimately building their independence and resilience.
An equitable MTSS system requires careful tracking of student progress across both academic and behavioral domains. This data-driven approach ensures that educators have the right information to make informed instructional and behavioral decisions. When done correctly, MTSS becomes a powerful tool for fostering student growth and closing achievement gaps.
Family Engagement: The Missing Link in Student Success
No student support system is complete without families. However, family engagement should go beyond the traditional avenues of low level decision-making meetings, academic conferences, and school social events. Schools need to create opportunities for families to connect with their children’s learning in meaningful ways, such as through read-ins, presentations, at-home or classroom activities, and opportunities for meaningful input on school decisions and policies.
By engaging families in these diverse ways, schools empower them to become active participants in their children's education, bridging the gap between school and home. When families are engaged, students are more likely to see the relevance of their education to their own lives, which can significantly boost their motivation and achievement.
Real Results from a Comprehensive Approach
At Fair Schools, we’ve supported our partners in creating these intentional systems that promote student learning and well-being. The results speak for themselves. Schools that have worked with Fair Schools have seen a 40% reduction in suspensions and student referrals within just one school year. Additionally, staff retention has increased by 25%, while reading and math proficiency on district assessments have risen by 8% and 9%, respectively.
These outcomes are a testament to the power of a comprehensive approach that combines proactive restorative practices, an equitable MTSS , and meaningful family engagement. By focusing on these strategies, schools can create environments where both student outcomes and school culture flourish.
The path to improving student outcomes and school culture is clear: prioritize proactive restorative practices, build an equitable MTSS system, and engage families in the educational process. When these elements work together, the results are transformative, leading to a school environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.