While it is not an easy, one-size-fits-all formula, several factors are positively related to middle school student success.
Education is no different than business, retail, customer service, etc. The kinder you are, the more people will gladly help. Educators are exhausted personalizing curriculum, formative and summarize assessing, planning engaging and challenging curriculum to match state expectations, and trying to get to know sometimes over 150 students personally when only seeing them for 50 minutes a day. Students who use their pleases and thank yous, smile and greet their teachers, and offer to help clean up at the end of a lesson get noticed. It is only natural for well-mannered and kind people to get that back in return. When students respect their teachers and use such manners, it is easier to establish a bond.
2) Strong work ethic pays off.
Students who exercise and demonstrate strong work ethic get both noticed and the benefit of the doubt more. Doing all assignments with pride and doing them well has several advantages: 1) it demonstrates to the teacher that the student is a hard worker and cares about his or her work and grade; 2) it proves to the student his or her ability and skills; and 3) it usually has a direct and positive effect on the grade for the class.
3) Organization is key.
This is difficult for some people, and learning how to do and/or improve it is a life skill that is needed to be successful. Organization includes prioritizing, time management, and categorizing. If students are struggling here, it is important to try out several systems to find one that fits their learning and doing style. My middle school children use two completely different systems than I, but they both have found great success. It is key that the student own the method.
4) Commitment must be personalized.
Incentives work for many kids, but when the desire to do well comes from within, success comes easier and tends to be more rewarding. When teachers and parents want it more than the students, they often get frustrated. Helping students see the benefits and success and sharing with them your own struggles and accomplishments is setting up a good foundation for them.
5) Home support increases student chances of success. Students need to be held accountable both at school and at home. Regular attendance is directly related to better academics. Just 10 absences has a statistically significant negative impact on a students' academics. The more a student is out of the classroom, the more opportunities for learning are missed. Parents who check grades once a week can catch issues before it's too late. Setting daily routines of a homework time and place is instrumental. Even studying with your students has both academic benefits and even connects the parent with his or her child during adolescence which can be quite challenging for students.
All of these habits can become life-long skills for our students as they grow into adults. Our world can be a much better place with organized, hard-working, well-mannered people who are committed to doing well.
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