What Works Brief #1: Caring Relationships and High Expectations

By: Angela Amarillas

Healthy interpersonal relationships at school are one of the strongest predictors of student academic achievement and teacher career satisfaction. When teachers, coaches, and other school staff feel supported and engaged among each other and by administration, they are more likely to cultivate caring and supportive relationships with students.

Cowritten by Meagan O'Malley, Research Associate at WestEd, this What Works Brief provides research-based strategies for building and maintaining rewarding relationships with students, including:

• Making connections with students
• Being helpful and non-directive
• Focusing on growth, not ability
• Supporting students' peer relationships

Note: Developed by the California Safe and Supportive Schools (S3) Technical Assistance Center, What Works Briefs summarize state-of-the-art practices, strategies, and programs for improving school climate.

Based on the most current research, each of the ten briefs provides practical recommendations for school staff, parents, and community members and can be used separately to target specific issues (e.g., family engagement) or grouped together to address more complex, systemwide issues.

What Works Briefs are organized into three sections:

• Quick Wins: What Teachers and Adults Can Do Right Now
• Universal Supports: Schoolwide Policies, Practices, and Programs
• Targeted Supports: Intensive Supports for At-Risk Youth

In addition to Brief #1: Caring Relationships and High Expectations, download these What Works Briefs:

• What Works Brief #2: Opportunities for Meaningful Participation
• What Works Brief #3: Perceptions of Safety
• What Works Brief #4: School Connectedness
• What Works Brief #5: Physical and Emotional Violence Perpetration
• What Works Brief #6: Physical and Emotional Violence Victimization
• What Works Brief #7: Harassment and Bullying
• What Works Brief #8: Substance Use at School
• What Works Brief #9: Family Engagement
• What Works Brief #10: Improving Staff Climate

Information about California Safe and Supportive Schools (S3) can be found at the S3 website.