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.