Teachers Matter: Feelings of School Connectedness and Positive Youth Development among Coos County Youth. New England Issue Brief No. 23

N

12

Adolescents; Adolescent Development; Gender Differences; School Attitudes; Student Attitudes; Positive Attitudes; Interpersonal Relationship; Student Behavior; Student Characteristics; Academic Achievement; Teacher Student Relationship; Rural Schools; Rural Areas; Data Analysis; Student School Relationship; Student Surveys; Correlation; Educational Environment; Student Welfare

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale

Students who feel positively about their education, have a sense of belonging in school, and maintain good relationships with students and staff generally feel connected to their schools. In fact, 63 percent of Coos youth report feeling this way. It is one of the most important factors in promoting socio-emotional well-being and positive youth development, according to authors Nena Stracuzzi and Meghan Mills. Their research, using surveys of Coos students, shows that students who feel more connected to their schools usually get better grades, have higher self-esteem, use fewer substances, and engage in aggressive behaviors less frequently. Their latest brief also shows that Coos County students who feel their teachers are supportive of them are often more connected to their schools. (Contains 12 figures and 46 endnotes.) [This work was supported by the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund and the Carsey Institute endowment.]

As Provided

2012

ED535958