Student Wellness is at the Core of Academic Achievement

Let’s delve into a critical factor in student success: health and wellness. Academic achievement is deeply intertwined with students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being. A balanced approach recognizes that all these aspects of wellness work together to support students’ overall development and readiness to learn. This involves more than just meeting basic needs; schools can empower every learner to reach their full potential through inclusive practices, equitable access to resources, fostering a sense of belonging, embracing individualized learning, and addressing barriers for students with unique challenges.

Inclusive Learning Through Strengths-Based Teaching for Neurodiverse Students

A strengths-based teaching approach is reshaping how educators support neurodiverse students, including those with autism, ADHD, or dyslexia. This method focuses on individual talents and interests, creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment. By recognizing and building upon unique abilities, educators can foster academic success and self-confidence in their students.

Why it Matters —

A strengths-based approach to teaching looks at “differences in behavior and brain functioning as normal variations in a population rather than disorders,” and creates an inclusive learning environment that celebrates uniqueness, ultimately creating a more equitable and innovative educational system.

Do you need a partner to help you better meet the needs of neurodiverse students and the educators who support them? MMS can design quantitative surveys to mine for audience insights like this—learn more about our process to execute quantitative surveys that deliver critical insights for our clients.

Fostering Belonging for English Learners

Many English learners (ELs) face barriers to enrolling in core academic courses like math, science, and social studies due to a combination of limited scheduling options and prioritization of English language development classes. These challenges often leave ELs excluded from essential coursework, delaying their academic progress, shifting graduation timelines, and separating them from their peers, as highlighted in a recent article from EdWeek.

Why it Matters —

Exclusion from core courses not only limits ELs’ ability to engage fully in their education and negatively impacts their academic achievements and long-term opportunities, but it also creates a “separateness” that threatens their sense of belonging among their peers. Schools must work to address scheduling conflicts and enrollment barriers to foster an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students.

MMS recently designed a targeted marketing campaign for a publisher promoting a new EL solution to teachers and director-level titles in key geographic markets. The campaign exceeded expectations with 30+% open rate and 8% clickthrough rate, reflecting both the extensive research MMS conducted to inform the campaign and the demand for innovative EL materials. Contact MMS to give your education market research a boost and launch impactful, measurable campaigns in support of your goals.

Revitalizing Student Physical Fitness in Schools

Recent assessments reveal a significant decline in physical activity among students nationwide, with many falling short of the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous activity. This alarming trend underscores the need to prioritize physical fitness in schools. In response, SHAPE America has released updated National Physical Education Standards in 2024. These standards provide educators with a comprehensive framework to deliver high-quality instruction aimed at improving students’ physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.

Why it Matters —

Physical fitness is fundamental to student wellness. Beyond its impact on physical health, regular activity has been linked to better academic performance, improved concentration, and enhanced emotional resilience. By aligning school programs with these updated standards, educators can create environments that promote holistic development, helping students lead healthier and more balanced lives.

One of MMS’s long-standing clients is GENYOUth—an organization that delivers thought leadership, elevates youth voice, and promotes programs aimed at reversing this decline. The MMS team was integral in creating custom research, analysis, and insights for GENYOUth’s recently released Youth Insights report: Shaping the Future of Physical Activity & P.E. Contact us to find out how MMS can elevate your brand voice in the K-12 market.

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