Urban Community Schools: Educator Perceptions of the Effects of Children's Health and Wellness on Learning

Abstract

Findings from a participatory action-research project that brought together 11 individuals from five of Hartford’s seven community schools to engage in a focus group discussion about the effects of children’s health and wellness on learning are presented. The researchers and key personnel from Hartford Public Schools and Achieve Hartford! co-constructed the inquiry. Issues identified as interfering with student learning clustered into themes that include students’ and family members’ mental, behavioral, nutritional, and domestic/neighborhood health. The results are being used to create a call for translational research proposals for University researchers to address these questions and disseminate findings to Hartford Public Schools and related community partners.

Keywords

• community schools
• community partnerships
• action research
• student health and wellness