Dive Brief:
- A new study by researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) and Israel's Bar Ilan University published in Educational Researcher shows schools that were able to increase their students' academic performance also saw a significant reduction in school violence.
- According to the study, schools with improvements in school climate and violence over one particular time period didn't see test score gains in a subsequent time period, while schools that improved test scores in one period were "very likely to show climate and violence improvements in future periods."
- Overall, the findings seem practical: Schools that are able to improve test scores are "highly likely" to reduce violence in general and improve school culture.
Dive Insight:
One of the study's authors, University of Southern California professor Ron Avi Astor, told U.S. News and World Report, "The best violence prevention is a school that works very hard to improve academics." School staff should also keep in mind how Maslow's hierarchy of needs applies to students, as root problems like hunger and basic safety have a definitive negative impact on student learning. District officials can put Astor's advice into action, starting with taking steps to combat bullying.
Just this week, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine labeled school bullying a "serious public health issue," explaining the myriad impacts of bullying aren't just physical or psychological — they can also have a long-term negative impact on learning and academic performance and can cause depression, anxiety and alcohol and drug abuse.
Last August, a report from the Education Commission of the States, "Health barriers to learning and the education opportunity gap," highlighted the connections between student wellness and academic performance. The ECS report suggested three key tips for districts: Be strategic about which issues play the largest role in your school or district and addressing those first; turn to established and well-proven programs to base initiatives on; and collaborate with other players in the health and wellness outside schools.