Benefits of Responsive Classroom Approach in Schools

A recent three-year study at the University of Virginia showed that students whose school faithfully used Responsive Classroom approaches had higher math and reading standardized test scores.

The University of Virginia study further showed that, in addition to improving student academic achievement, using Responsive Classroom techniques in the classroom led to an increase in student engagement, a decrease in discipline problems in the classroom and school, and an increase in higher-quaity teaching.

The study illustrates the importance of a school dedicating time to creating a classroom climate of trust, support, care, and interdependence as a prerequisite to students pushing and challenging themselves academically.

The basic components of Responsive Classroom are morning meeting (where every child receives and give a sincere welcome greeting to the school day), a proactive approach to discipline (which includes students have input in setting classrrom rules), positive teacher language and support of students, and opportunities for students to have a voice and choice in their learning (empowering them in the learning process and encouraging both critical and creative thought and expression).

In a larger context, Responsive Classroom helps students satisfy Maslow's hierarchy of needs: first we need our physiological needs satisfied, then safety/love/belonging (what Responsive Classroom provides), followed by esteem and self-actualization. The chance of high academic achievement is greatly reduced in the absence of a safe, nurturing, trusting environment, be it at home or at school.

Noted elementary school expert, Bob Sornson, stresses that students are "motivated by challenge but never too much". By having a classroom environment where students feel safe, known, and understood as individuals, they are more willing to take academic risks and appropriately push and challenge themselves. (There have been numerous studies that illustrate that students when given a choice of assignment will choose the one that best fits their needs and developmental readiness.)

Orchard is very fortunate to have Julie Wingate, a certified teacher-trainer in Responsive Classroom, help lead and inspire our faculty and staff in the benefits of using the Responsive Classroom philosophy and techniques.

Since its founding, Orchard has always had a commitment to the development of the whole child--academically/cognitively/intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically, ethically, organizationally. Yet this recent study quantifies what Orchard has intuitively known: a safe, nurturing classroom in essential for a student's academic and social-emotional growth.

Here are two links that provide a succinct overview of the Responsive Classroom approach Link and classroom examples of Responsive Classroom in action Link.