During the 2021-22 school year, Jeanne R. Meadows Elementary School (Meadows) partnered with PowerMyLearning to implement their social emotional learning (SEL) program. After integrating SEL into academic instruction, Meadows improved student behavior, strengthened SEL skills, and saw a statistically significant difference in the proportion of students who exceeded or met district math and reading benchmarks.
About Meadows
Background and Challenges
In the fall of 2021, the staff of Jeanne R. Meadows Elementary School ("Meadows") became deeply concerned about their students’ learning loss and social-emotional health. Meadows—a Title I district school in San Jose, California—had been impacted by the pandemic, the economic downturn, and the political and racial unrest.
To address their challenges, Meadows’ leadership sought an evidence-based, integrated approach. Principal Magdalena Moore wanted SEL to be integrated into teacher instruction, and not be “another thing” her teachers had to do. She also wanted to elevate the need for SEL alongside the school’s academic goals. In her eyes, students could not make academic gains until they felt safe emotionally and physically.
“Our priority is developing an inclusive community of kindness and a sense of belonging for every member of our school community — students, staff, and families.” – Principal Moore
Three Focus Areas for Partnership
Meadows decided PowerMyLearning’s SEL program entitled “Nurture Student Growth Through Social Emotional Learning” was a natural fit for addressing their immediate and evolving needs. The goal of the program was to make progress in Meadows’ three focus areas, ultimately increasing capacity for the trio of students, families, and teachers to work as allies in improving learning outcomes—something we call the “Triangle of Learning Relationships.”
Meadows leadership identified three focus areas for the school year:
- Build teacher capacity via an integrated approach.
- Improve student behavior and SEL skills.
- Strengthen relationships with families.
How did Meadows do? Keep reading!
Focus 1: Build teacher capacity via an integrated approach.
Teacher-directed, bite-sized professional development met teachers where they were and provided them with the flexibility to try and integrate new strategies into their practice, ultimately strengthening their capacity. Teachers were significantly more confident in supporting students’ SEL competencies, including:
- Self-Efficacy (+11%; p<.10)
- Sense of Belonging (+10%; p<.10)
- Sense of Safety (+11%; p=.08)
“We talked about accountability and the steps students needed to take to achieve their goals. These conversations helped solidify that my role here is to help them and build their trust in me. Afterwards, I had a handful of students say ‘thank you’ and I was shocked. They didn’t realize the awesome things they were doing at school and not just academically.” – Rick Drewrey
Focus 2: Improve student behavior and SEL skills.
Teacher-directed, bite-sized professional development met teachers where they were and provided them with the flexibility to try and integrate new strategies into their practice, ultimately strengthening their capacity. Teachers were significantly more confident in supporting students’ SEL competencies, including:
- Self-Efficacy (+11%; p<.10)
- Sense of Belonging (+10%; p<.10)
- Sense of Safety (+11%; p=.08)
“They started building trust with me and our relationship got stronger. That affected them as learners. They were more willing to engage.” – Erin Cardona
Focus 3: Strengthen relationships with families.
Teacher-directed, bite-sized professional development met teachers where they were and provided them with the flexibility to try and integrate new strategies into their practice, ultimately strengthening their capacity. Teachers were significantly more confident in supporting students’ SEL competencies, including:
-
- Self-Efficacy (+11%; p<.10)
- Sense of Belonging (+10%; p<.10)
- Sense of Safety (+11%; p=.08)
“The work that we’re doing with PowerMyLearning is part of our culture now, I don’t feel like it’s something that we have to carve out of our day. It’s part of our community, and it’s just so powerful." – Erin Cardona
Creating a Cycle of Continuous Improvement
At the core of the school’s success were relationships. PowerMyLearning and Meadows had a trusting partnership, Meadows’ leadership supported and valued SEL, and families and teachers had a collaborative environment with one another and their coach.
With PowerMyLearning’s support, Meadows effectively addressed all three focus areas and accelerated reading and math outcomes. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of students who exceeded or met district benchmarks before and after the program for Star Reading (+13%; p<.001) and Star Math (+ 7%; p=.03).
Looking Ahead
Meadows is continuing to build on their success. During the 2022-23 school year, the school community is working with PowerMyLearning to implement best practices around culturally responsive education.
Are you a school or district leader looking to create a sense of belonging in your school communities? Contact us to learn how a partnership with PowerMyLearning can improve student outcomes and create lasting change.
