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This study inquires into support services in schools and their relationship to school effectiveness by using data from the National Center for Education Statistics School and Staffing Survey (SASS). Students´ ability to learn is impacted by their physical and mental health. It is more difficult to measure the influence of nonacademic factors on academic achievements than traditional academic factors. This study focuses on (a) the extent support services, beyond regular classroom instruction, are provided, (b) how provision is affected by school background, (c) whether and, if so, how providing support services relates to school effectiveness, and (d) whether and, if so, how providing support services relates to school effectiveness in schools with more than 50% free and reduced lunch rates.

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Diane Gibbs is a research, evaluation and program administrator with experience in education, health care, and nonprofits. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University.

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