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See and Say Students more likely to speak up about dangerous behaviors when they feel connected to teachers, peer 
As the saying goes, "when you see something say something." A new study shows that students are more likely to do so when they feel connected to their peers and teachers. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University and Missouri State University found that students who identify with their peer group and have strong relationships with teachers are more likely to alert someone when a fellow student "wants to do something dangerous." In the survey of 1,740 high school and middle school students, researchers presented a hypothetical situation about a potentially dangerous plan and asked students if they would either intervene directly, tell a teacher or principal, talk it over with a friend but not tell anyone, or do nothing. Students who felt a sense of pride in their school and a general concern for others were most likely to approach the peer or tell a principal or teacher. For all students, knowing they could be heard by a school official coupled with their sense of belonging best predicted if they would take action or not. "Fostering a caring school climate where students and teachers look out for each other to keep one another safe can't be taught in a single lesson or by using deterrents, like metal detectors or harsh policies. It is built on daily interactions between the teachers and students," says lead author Amy K. Syvertsen, MEd. Results also showed that middle school students were more likely to take action than high school students. "High schools are generally larger than middle schools and provide less opportunity for teachers and students to interact, which is the foundation for building trust, caring and community between the two," Syvertsen says. She adds that certain school policies, like zero tolerance, may actually deter students from confiding in a teacher because of any preconceived consequences. According to the study "blanket policies that are often not clearly explained to teachers or students can create an atmosphere in which rules get in the way of relationships between students and teachers, to the detriment of keeping the schools safe." |
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