We can’t get great learning outcomes and fully address significant achievement gaps without paying attention to the social emotional needs of students and the non-academic barriers they face.
On December 11, 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education kicked off the development of a new Urban Leaders Network on School Culture and Student Support with over 30 participants from around the state. Currently, the Department convenes five “urban networks” for district leadership (mathematics, literacy, and science, ELL directors and superintendents). This is the first network focused on the non-academic challenges students face. School & Main Institute is very excited to be the technical assistance provider to the state and the network as it grows its work around social emotional supports, school climate, student support, parent and family engagement, wraparound services for students or families, local and state level accountability and related areas. This network will continue to be open to anyone from an urban or Gateway city that oversees or coordinates strategies related to student support, social-emotional aspects of learning, school climate and culture, or wraparound services for students or families. The next meeting is May 14 at Worcester Career and Technical High School.