Professional Learning to Promote Positive Student Outcomes: An Evaluation of Anchorage’s Second-Order Change Project

• In Event: Adult Social and Emotional Learning and Reflection as Innovative Factors in Formative and Summative Assessment

Abstract

ASD’s Second Order Change project aimed to promote better outcomes for Anchorage youth by improving the social and emotional interactional skills of adults in the education system. Over three years, almost 70 professional development opportunities were offered, and these reached nearly 2,000 educators. Annual surveys of participants showed significantly reduced interpersonal distance with students and improved mindfulness, but no change in authoritarianism. Existing trends toward improved respectful climate and declining drug and alcohol use did not appear to be interrupted by the Second Order Change project. Although there is no apparent causal effect, the work ASD has done through this effort has kept it on a course toward more positive outcomes for youth.

Author

• Kimberly Trumbull Kendziora, American Institutes for Research