Finding Belonging in Education in a Time of Exclusion

When students feel a strong sense of belonging to their school, they exhibit more positive social-emotional and academic outcomes, including increased motivation and graduation rates. Yet, in the contemporary political and social climate, belonging has come under threat. As seen in the troubling rise of school-based hate incidents, students of different racial, gender, socio-economic, political and social backgrounds are encountering stark forms of exclusion.

This professional development talk will explore the social trends fueling divisiveness in American public education, with special attention to how the research literature on belonging is – and is not – attuned to current social realities. We will then explore belonging through the lens of a public middle school in Massachusetts that is using survey responses and student interview data to build a more inclusive environment for marginalized students.

Professional development points (PDPs) available.