How School Structures Promote Holistic Student Support Services: An Exploration of Support Providers' Perceptions

• In Event: 68.060 - Roundtable Session 29
  In Roundtable Session: 68.060-4 - School Organization and Effects: Building Student Support Capacity

Abstract

Secondary school students benefit greatly from school-based supports and counseling programs that foster academic, social, emotional and postsecondary development. Yet, the specific organizational structures, policies and practices necessary to ensure equitable and effective delivery of support services are not well understood. To address this gap in the literature, we examine student support providers’ experiences with the district-wide structures intended to bolster their work. Our results suggest that school districts with a desire to provide support services to foster school engagement and achievement should pay careful attention to district structures and goals, school level leadership, and professional pathways. This presentation provides evidence of our findings and suggestions for structures that might enable districts to meet these goals.

Authors

• Mandy Savitz-Romer, Harvard University

• Gretchen A. Brion-Meisels, Harvard University