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Special Report

Relationships Matter: Building Strong Student-School Connections

April 14, 2024
69´«Ã½ at Ruby Bridges Elementary School in Woodinville, Wash., play during recess on April 2, 2024. 69´«Ã½ have access to cards with images and words on them so all students, including those who do not speak, can communicate on the playground.
69´«Ã½ at Ruby Bridges Elementary School in Woodinville, Wash., play during recess on April 2, 2024. 69´«Ã½ have access to cards with images and words on them so all students, including those who do not speak, can communicate on the playground.
Meron Menghistab for Education Week
As schools contend with higher chronic absenteeism and more student misbehavior, a surprisingly straightforward intervention could help: ensuring students feel connected.

Strong relationships with peers and teachers give students a reason to attend school, engage in class, and participate in extracurricular activities. For adults, they offer a tool to detect when students are struggling and need extra support.

Research has linked strong student connections to school and their teachers with improved mental health, better attendance and grades, less disruptive behavior, and lower dropout rates.

This special report explores how schools are harnessing strong student relationships to cultivate a positive climate, boost attendance, sharpen classroom management, use less exclusionary discipline, and improve achievement for students with disabilities.
Coverage of whole-child approaches to learning is supported in part by a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, at . Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.