By Bill DeBaun, Senior Director, Data and Strategic Initiatives
Reading time: Five minutes
The National College Attainment Network's (NCAN) mission is to promote and ensure equitable educational opportunities that pave the way to college and beyond. One effective strategy is the implementation of robust, research-backed tools that engage
students and foster in them the dispositions and attitudes that will contribute to their success and resilience. This post spotlights an invaluable resource in this endeavor: The Project for Education Research That Scales (PERTS).
PERTS, an initiative founded at Stanford University in 2010, specializes in translating psychological science insights into practical tools and recommendations for educators. Their offerings are particularly (but not exclusively!) relevant for K-12 environments
(but not exclusively K-12 environments!), which shape students’ foundational attitudes towards learning and education. Here’s a look at some of PERTS’ tools and features that could revolutionize classroom dynamics and learning outcomes within our
schools and programs.
Although the below uses K-12-related language, community-based organizations, college access programs, and other service providers can also likely adopt or adapt these tools and recommendations, so give them a look!
PERTS offers quick and insightful mindset surveys that assess the prevailing attitudes towards learning in the classroom. These surveys cover essential concepts like growth mindset (the idea that intelligence is an innate, static trait) and social belonging,
which are critical to student engagement and success. They are designed to be brief (taking only a few minutes to complete) yet powerful enough to provide educators with a snapshot of their students' current state, enabling them to tailor interventions
more effectively.
Through the survey, PERTS notes, students learn:
Scientific evidence showing that the brain is malleable.
Specific behaviors that can rewire the brain and increase one’s intellectual abilities.
The importance of effective study strategies and of getting help from others.
The best part is, the Growth Mindset for 9th Graders intervention is available for free to all US high schools. There’s also a version of this tool and intervention for college students.
Growth mindset surveys have been tested as an intervention in multiple randomized controlled trials, and evidence of impact has included, “a 6.4% point increase in satisfactory course completion among students who had a GPA of 2.0 or below prior to the
program” and, “a 4% point increase in satisfactory course completion among underperforming students in a replication and extension of the study above.”
Elevate is a professional learning program that actively involves teachers and students in shaping the educational experience. It operates on a cycle of feedback and reflection, crucial for continuous improvement. By implementing Elevate, educators can
access tailored reports that highlight the conditions of their classroom environments and how these can be optimized to promote better engagement and learning. This tool is not just about gathering data, but about creating a participatory culture
in schools where students’ voices contribute to educational strategies.
Students were more than two times more likely to earn a "B" or better in math when they rated learning conditions most positively rather than most negatively.
Shifts in learning conditions were also early indicators of shifts in learning outcomes: when learning conditions shifted for the better—or for the worse—students’ grades followed in the same direction.
The relationship between learning and math grades holds up even when controlling statistically for student race, gender, age, grade level, Free and Reduced Price Lunch (FRPL) status, and previous grades in the same math class.
In addition to helping all students learn, improving learning conditions can be even more helpful among groups that have been initially less well-served. Black students were 35% more likely to earn a "B" or better if they rated learning conditions
positively. This is in contrast to white students who are not eligible for FRPL and were found to be 21% more likely to earn a "B" or better if they rated learning conditions positively.
For college environments, there’s a similar tool called Ascend.
Students, especially first-generation students, often experience challenges transitioning to college PERTS’ Social Belonging for College Students program is a free, evidence-based initiative designed to improve engagement, retention, and academic achievement
in higher education. Here are some features and outcomes of this transformative program. A 30-minute online module that includes reading and reflection exercises helps students normalize and overcome transitional challenges.
Students who participate show higher social and academic engagement and improved GPA, and research has demonstrated notable increases in retention rates.
Getting Started with PERTS Tools
The appeal of PERTS tools lies in their evidence-based foundation and adaptability. Each tool is backed by rigorous research and has been tested across diverse educational settings, ensuring reliability and relevance. Moreover, these tools are designed
with flexibility in mind, allowing schools and other organizations to adapt them to their unique contexts and needs.
For NCAN members, implementing PERTS’ tools could be a game-changer. They not only support academic achievement but also address broader educational goals such as equity and student well-being. By integrating these tools into their programs, NCAN members
can help build environments that nurture resilient, motivated learners ready to tackle the challenges of higher education.
To explore these tools and consider their integration into your schools or programs, visit PERTS' official website. Here, you'll find detailed information on each tool, along with case studies and support resources to kickstart your journey toward enhanced
educational outcomes.
At NCAN, we are committed to equipping our members with the best resources to close the college attainment gap. By leveraging tools like those offered by PERTS, we can take significant strides towards creating educational systems that uplift every student.
Disclosure: ChatGPT-4 was used to generate portions of this blog. The author reviewed, verified, and edited the entirety of the blog.
Email to a Friend