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Understanding The Impact of Trauma on Learning

Studies over the last twenty years have identified a critical link between academic achievement, exposure to community violence and other Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) with: 

  • lower grade-point average (GPA) 

  • higher school absenteeism 

  • increased incidences of suspension and expulsion 

  • decreased rates of high school graduation 

  • decreased reading ability 

  • greater involvement with the criminal system than that of their peers 

Adverse Childhood Experiences include: 

  • physical, sexual, or emotional abuse 

  • physical or emotional neglect 

  • a family member who is depressed or diagnosed with other mental illness, addicted to alcohol or another substance, or in prison 

  • witnessing a mother being abused 

  • losing a parent to separation, divorce 

Furthermore, a single adverse experience or traumatic event can cause: 

  • anger 

  • mood swings 

  • social withdrawal 

  • concentration and memory difficulties 

  • intrusive thoughts 

  • interrupted sleep 

  • nightmares 

  • fall behind in school 

  • fail to develop healthy relationships with peers 

  • create problems with teachers and principals. 

Research indicates that there is more to student success than cognitive ability, curriculum, and instruction. A student’s social emotional character and overall school climate can powerfully affect whether students learn and thrive in schools and in their communities.  

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All school stakeholders (students, parents, staff, and community) can make a difference when it comes to student social-emotional development and overall school climate. 

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