any student. However, some research would suggest, and this is my hypothesis as well, that the relationship between trauma and student academic outcomes varies based on the trauma and who experiences said trauma.
Straughter: In urban education, there are many variables that impact the academic achievement for students. The emotional well-being is a key variables that lends the opportunity for students to strive or survive. Our students come to school daily with unresolved trauma from adverse childhood experiences from their homes, social experience and school experiences.
The negative impact from unresolved trauma and reoccurring trauma effects students ability to cope properly which in terms causes a disruption in learning. Students can’t learn when they are emotionally unhealthy! Students can’t strive when they are stuck in survival mood!
So, it shows in their grades, behavior and attendance which are all three metrics for students to be academically successful.
In additional, the vicarious trauma that impacts the teaching staff in school. When students are unhealthy, the teaching staff feels it too! Now, we have a school community with emotionally unhealthy students and teaching staff. That’s an environment where academic rigor cannot occur. It’s a place where hope fades away.
BlackDoctor: How is your organization addressing the mental health/trauma needs of Black Boys?
Leatherwood: Black Boys Shine is a