Learning with a Growth Mindset

The Educational Services Program, often referred to as ES, was established in 1982 at SUA to ensure that each student has the opportunity to develop her full academic potential. ES serves neurodivergent learners and students with diagnosed learning disabilities, such as ADHD by providing accommodations identified in the student’s educational evaluation- service plan or IEP. In addition, students in the ES program have access to specific tutoring services through five designated ES teachers, one of them a licensed intervention specialist.

High school students are often motivated to find new and effective strategies to help them succeed in their academics. When students are encouraged to focus on their strengths and learning styles, they are able to identify the methods that will best serve them in the classroom. In many instances, what works well for one student does not necessarily work for another student. Therefore, it is important for students to adopt a growth mindset so that they feel empowered to make adjustments as they progress throughout the school year, as well as subsequent grade-levels.

There are two important developmental concepts that influence a student’s ability to develop a growth mindset in academics and in life, self-esteem and self-efficacy. Self-esteem is how a person feels and thinks about themself and includes their awareness of both abilities and limitations. Self-efficacy is an individual’s belief in their capacity to execute behaviors that will produce specific performance outcomes. Ultimately, all students are in the process of “learning how to learn”. When students improve their Executive Function (EF) skills (eg: planning, prioritizing, focus/attention, memory processing, time management), they are increasing their self-efficacy, which is a primary feature of overall well being.

The teachers in ES recommend several strategies to improve learning and academic success while focusing on Executive Function Skills.

• Create a system before and after school (use a planner or organizing tool to keep track of assignments) to manage time effectively
• Prioritize short-term and long-term assignments (nightly math problems or a project) so that they are completed thoroughly and submitted on time
• Manage one’s attention and focus in the classroom to maximize understanding of the content (try to eliminate distractions)
• Develop a specific study protocol in the afternoon/evening to review material from individual classes (create flashcards from class notes and review) to ensure improved memory retention
• Reflect on prior learning and performance and test new strategies in areas needing improvement (review class notes daily rather than right before a test)
• Set reasonable academic goals and ask for feedback from a teacher, advisor, or counselor

Happy New Year from the ES teachers! Make it a year of healthy academic progress and best wishes to the SUA class of 2025 as you embark on your final semester as a Bulldog!