The North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (1994b) discusses the importance of giving students opportunities to succeed in school:
"As educators broaden the types of activities and learning strategies available to students, they will allow more students to experience success. For example, hands-on learning in science or math allows students who do not learn well abstractly to gain and demonstrate new knowledge. And arts activities integrated into learning units allow students who are expressive to show other students that they can do some activities well. This will link interests with learning....
[As part of a system wide effort to promote resilience,] Minneapolis teachers make a conscious effort to see that all students experience success and mastery of something every day. 'Failure begets failure, success begets success.'
Students are taught 'positive self-talk' techniques to help bolster positive self-images. Schools also initiate student recognition activities such as 'Star of the Week,' certificates of achievement, and 'Halls of Fame' with student pictures. They celebrate milestones toward mastery in academic, spiritual, cultural, and artistic areas, not just in sports and grades.
Teachers also are encouraged to use teaching strategies that address different learning styles and to use alternative grading systems such as contract grading."
