PASS - PUPIL's ATTITUDE TOWARDS SELF AND SCHOOL
PASS is a robust
survey that measures students’ attitudes
towards themselves as learners and their school. It helps teachers drill down
into any negative mind-sets that may not be obvious in the classroom. We
call them as fragile learners.
“Children suffering from poor attitudes to their learning
can be very good at hiding any issues. PASS allows us to take a forensic approach into
what children are thinking.”. Please do understand that these students really
need care and support.
How does PASS help us learn more about our pupils?
·
Possible hidden
causes of under-achievement: The extent to which pupils’ attitudes to learning
help or hinder their progress in lessons.
·
Attitudes and
behaviours: The impact of the school’s strategies to improve behaviour and
attendance.
·
Pupil Voice: The
views expressed by pupils, including different groups of pupils, of their
experiences of others’ behaviour and attitudes towards them.
What information do you get on your students? ( 9 – PASS Factors)
1. Feelings
about school. School connectedness, belonging or alienation.
2. Perceived
learning capability. experienced in the ‘here and now’.
3. Self-regard
as a learner. This is a measure of the learner’s sense of self worth measured
in the long term.
4. Preparedness
for learning. Having the tools to learn - learning preference, concentration,
emotional management & organisational skills.
5. Attitudes
to teachers.
6. General
work ethic. Motivation to succeed in life. It is about purpose and direction,
not just at school but beyond.
7. Confidence
in learning-This is a measure of perseverance in the face of
challenge.‘Stickability’.
8. Attitudes
to attendance.
9. Response
to curriculum demands -Motivation to undertake and complete tasks set within
the school’s curriculum.
What do we do ?
It is important to
remember, however, that while students with fragile learning difficulty may
share common traits, each student has individual and unique characteristics
that need to be considered when devising learning and teaching programmes.
You might see hyperactivity, difficulty making
eye contact, impulsivity, or anxiety to name a few symptoms. But you may also
see a great sense of humor, eagerness to please, and interest in others.
Learning
Style for Fragile learners
Fragile learners are
“gestalt learners.” That means that they see the whole picture at once rather
than individual steps. This is pretty different than how most neurotypical
brains are wired. So if you understand things sequentially instead of simultaneously,
it will take some practice to teach your Fragile learners.
Basically, instead of teaching individual
steps, make sure you show your Fragile learners what
they are going to do and how they know they are finished. Avoid open-ended activities,
or modify them to be something clear. For example, you could try, “write 5
sentences” instead of “free writing time.” Also avoid any teaching methods or
steps that rely on sequential learning, like phonics or sounding out words.
Give your Fragile learners the whole picture.
Use
Modeling
This is related to learning simultaneously and
uses the student’s social strengths. When you are introducing a new activity,
if possible, allow your Fragile learners to
observe another student do the activity from start to finish before it’s his or
her turn.
Sensory
Processing
Fragile learners are
prone to hyper-arousal and anxiety. This means that something that is no big
deal to you or to other kids, like playfully ruffling their hair, can cause
real distress to your fragile learner.. This hyper-arousal can even lead to
aggression. Try to avoid touching them unless it’s absolutely necessary, and be
understanding when they appear to be anxious or overstimulated. Provide quiet
times and areas that allow them to calm down. An Occupational Therapist (O.T.)
can also help provide strategies for meeting your student’s sensory needs. You
will need to individualize your lesson plans more for your Fragile learners,
but trust me, it’s worth it and work wonders.
Resilience is a vital skill to learn, because it empowers people to deal well with the stress, change, uncertainty, and adversity that everyone sometimes experiences. Those who are resilient can thrive in any situation. They easily find solutions to problems.
Resilience is a vital skill to learn, because it empowers people to deal well with the stress, change, uncertainty, and adversity that everyone sometimes experiences. Those who are resilient can thrive in any situation. They easily find solutions to problems.
