Bridging early health and cognitive development
Researchers have well established the link between early health conditions and long-term educational outcomes. Research from Briana Ballis in Early Life Health Conditions and Racial Gaps in Education demonstrates that disparities in infant health have severe and long-lasting consequences on cognitive and noncognitive outcomes, especially for Black students. According to the study, counties in Texas saw a widening gap in infant health disparities, which negatively affected cognitive development and increased suspensions and absences in school years later.
School leaders should view these findings as a call to action. By collaborating with healthcare providers, schools can identify students who face early health challenges and provide early interventions that prevent these issues from snowballing into academic failures. This collaboration can include regular health screenings, access to nutrition and healthcare resources, and even in-school healthcare services. Ensuring that students have their basic health needs met creates a foundation for them to thrive academically.
Research also supported these efforts. Research from RAND outlines how early health programs can improve academic outcomes, reduce behavior problems, and increase high school graduation rates. These benefits make it clear that, when schools partner with healthcare providers, they contribute to the long-term cognitive and noncognitive success of their students.
Implementing data-driven, personalized support for high-risk students
Alongside health collaboration, K-12 schools should focus on implementing personalized, data-driven interventions for students at risk of falling behind academically. Schools have access to vast amounts of student data, from attendance records to academic performance, that can help them identify students who are most at risk. However, data alone isn’t enough; schools must adopt a strategic approach to turn data into actionable support.
In districts where school quality is lower, Ballis’s research highlights how these disparities can disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic students. Therefore, it is crucial that administrators use data to create targeted interventions for these groups. For instance, schools might implement programs that enhance school readiness, enhanced training and Professional Development for teachers, or behavioral support systems that cater to the individual needs of each student.
The RAND study outlines how early childhood intervention programs with trained caregivers and small student-teacher ratios yield significant benefits. This data highlights the opportunity schools have when they adopt these intervention programs, but it also highlights how many of our students face significant barriers to their success when they enter school.
Action steps for school administrators
Here are practical steps that school administrators looking to integrate these strategies can implement:
- Establish partnerships with local healthcare providers: Work with pediatricians, public health officials, and local hospitals to provide health screenings and support services within schools. Consider offering school-based health clinics that can address both physical and mental health needs.
- Use data to inform intervention strategies: Implement data analytics tools that help track student progress in both cognitive and non-cognitive areas. This data can guide the development of personalized interventions for students who are falling behind.
- Provide ongoing professional development: Teachers and school staff should receive training on how to use data effectively and how to engage in practices that support students’ cognitive and emotional development. A great resource to learn more about improving school readiness is Claire Cameron’s book: Hands On, Minds On: How Executive Function, Motor, and Spatial Skills Foster School Readiness.
- Adopt evidence-based early intervention programs: As shown in the RAND research, programs with well-trained staff and smaller class sizes have a proven track record of success.
Educational failure does not have to be the outcome of early health disparities. When provided with the necessary support, every student has the potential to excel.
Jason McKenna is V.P. of Global Educational Strategy for VEX Robotics and author of “What STEM Can Do for Your Classroom: Improving Student Problem Solving, Collaboration, and Engagement, Grade K-6.” His work specializes in curriculum development, global educational strategy, and engaging with educators and policymakers worldwide. For more of his insights, subscribe to his newsletter.
