New Research Paper Shows Use of Responsive Classroom Leads to Academic Gains

TURNERS FALLS, Mass., March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The use of Responsive Classroom, a research-based approach to elementary education, leads to academic gains in students, according to a University of Virginia study just published in the American Educational Research Journal.

The randomized controlled trial, which followed 2,094 students in 24 Virginia schools for three years (from grades 3 to 5), found that students whose teachers fully implemented the Responsive Classroom approach scored significantly higher on reading and math tests. The gains were equally strong for children of all socio-economic backgrounds.

The Responsive Classroom approach improves teachers' effectiveness by raising their competencies across three key, interrelated domains of teaching: promoting academic engagement, creating positive community, and effectively managing the classroom. The approach emphasizes fostering student autonomy and teaching children foundational social and emotional skills needed for high-level academic learning.

Sara Rimm-Kaufman, principal investigator of the $2.9 million study funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, says evidence that teaching social skills can translate into higher test scores is important information for educational decision-makers at a time of heightened interest in high-level academic learning. "Our research shows that time spent supporting children's social and emotional abilities can be a very wise investment," said Kaufman, as quoted last week in the The Washington Post.

An important feature of the Responsive Classroom approach is that it's not an "add on," but rather integrates the teaching of social and academic skills throughout the school day. Teachers use specific practices to teach children crucial social and emotional skills such as cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-regulation while teaching academic lessons.

Lora Hodges, executive director of Northeast Foundation for Children, developer of the Responsive Classroom approach, says a holistic approach that integrates social, emotional, and academic learning is critical for success in today's complex, globally connected world and foundational for achieving the Common Core State Standards. "If we want every child, every day, to learn the skills necessary to face the challenges of the 21st century, then we need to focus on the most important ingredient—good teaching. That's what Responsive Classroom is all about."

Hodges called the study findings a victory for children. "As educators, our highest hope is for students to succeed in school so they'll flourish today, tomorrow, and far into the future. This study tells us that there is a reliable approach that teachers can use for turning that hope into reality."

The University of Virginia study also found that support from the school principal was critical to teachers' full use of the Responsive Classroom approach. As the researchers say, to implement the approach consistently and at a high level, teachers have to be supported by a school administrator or someone at the school who says "This is a priority, this is what we should be doing."

About Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc., and the Responsive Classroom® Approach

The not-for-profit Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc. (NEFC) was established in 1981 by elementary school educators who envisioned a way of teaching that would bring together academic and social learning throughout the school day. That way of teaching, called the Responsive Classroom approach, is now being used in schools across the country. It has been recognized by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as one of the most well-designed, evidence-based social and emotional learning programs. NEFC offers Responsive Classroom on-site consulting services to schools and districts; workshops and institutes for educators in locations around the country; and numerous books, videos, and other resources for teachers and administrators.

For more information, visit www.responsiveclassroom.org.

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SOURCE Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.