Amplifying Student Voice: An Exploration of Student Well-Being in an Online School Environment

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Ten
  In Roundtable Session: Online Learning Environments (Table 8)

Abstract

Research has indicated that wellbeing is crucial to educational experience (OECD, 2021) and life success (Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener, 2005). In this mixed methods study, we explored the social, emotional, and academic wellbeing of students in grades 5 through 12 (N=4,211 from 31 states) in an online public school system from both the student and school staff perspectives. Student survey data measuring wellbeing and interview data from school counselors and teachers were analyzed to understand perceptions of student wellbeing. Results suggest that students’ wellbeing varied across type and grade level, social wellbeing was bolstered by positive relationships, and school staff perceptions aligned with students’. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive support for student wellbeing in online schools across grades.

Authors

• Julia Camille Ransom, Pearson Education, Inc.
  Presenting Author

• Jessica E. Hall, Pearson
  Presenting Author

• Katherine L. McEldoon, YouScience
  Non-Presenting Author

• Alyssa Walters, Pearson
  Non-Presenting Author