School engagement is a multifaceted concept that includes behavioral, emotional, and cognitive commitment to learning, peer relationships, and activities. It is a priority for educators because it correlates with higher academic performance and improved mental health and well-being of children and youth. Understanding the diverse strategies that can enhance engagement is crucial for fostering a supportive learning environment.
The Importance of School Engagement
School engagement involves several indicators:
- Behavioral indicators: These include attendance, participation in extracurricular activities, and school-related conduct such as treating peers and teachers with respect.
- Socio-emotional indicators: These encompass reactions to school, relationships with teachers or peers, and feelings of belonging.
- Cognitive indicators: These involve self-regulated learning and the perceived relevance of schoolwork.
Diverse Strategies for Enhancing Engagement
The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools conducted a rapid review to identify effective school-based strategies or interventions that promote engagement among students and caregivers. Here are some key findings from this review:
1. Socio-emotional Learning Programs
Soci-emotional learning programs build students' capacity for emotional regulation, prosocial skills, empathy, social connection, and belonging. Although the evidence is mixed due to the heterogeneity of interventions, these programs often show positive effects on school climate and student-teacher relationships.
2. Behavioral Interventions
Behavioral interventions include structured reactions to students’ behaviors, such as rewards for positive actions. Programs like the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework have shown improvements in teacher-student relationships and school climate.
3. Student Leadership Opportunities
Interventions involving student leadership roles have consistently positive findings for school engagement outcomes. These programs often focus on equity-deserving populations such as Indigenous youth or racialized children, providing them leadership opportunities in academic or recreational contexts.
4. Restorative Justice Programs
This strategy involves giving students a role in collaborative disciplinary responses. Restorative justice programs have shown positive impacts on attendance, school climate, and student-teacher relationships.
5. Mental Health-focused Interventions
Mental health-focused interventions provide resources or professionals to students and/or caregivers. While these can improve school climate, findings are mixed regarding their overall impact on school engagement.
6. Inclusivity-focused Interventions
This category promotes the inclusion of equity-deserving groups such as 2SLGBTQI+ students or promotes universal human rights regardless of identity. These programs consistently show a positive effect on school engagement outcomes.
7. School Meal Programs
The provision of free or reduced-cost meals has been associated with improved attendance rates. Such programs are especially beneficial when meals are universal or free for low-income students.
Navigating Challenges and Opportunities
The evidence highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to specific contexts and populations while considering resource availability. The certainty of evidence varies across intervention types due to differences in study designs and reporting quality.
A critical takeaway is the need for continuous evaluation of these interventions within local contexts to ensure they meet the needs of students effectively. Organizations looking to implement such programs should consider feasibility factors like funding availability and staff training requirements.
The rapid review underscores the potential of diverse strategies to foster an inclusive, supportive educational environment that encourages active participation from both students and caregivers.
