This overview explains the many types of non-academic support that schools provide to students. It's no secret that a typical school in America does a great deal more than teach reading, writing and arithmetic. In order to create an environment conducive to teaching and learning, most schools provide a variety of support services to students, including individualized tutoring, decision-making guidance, and assistance to students with personal problems that hinder success in school. Some schools offer tutoring and homework clubs before school, after school or during lunch.
Many schools target specific groups of students who are at risk of falling behind or dropping out.
The non-academic support available to students varies by school. The team, with the student, devises a plan to address any obstacles to learning and to foster greater academic success. In the area of health care, funding for school nurses has decreased over time to the point where nurses are assigned to work in several schools rather than one. Some schools have found alternative ways to provide health education and services to students, usually through collaborations with local agencies and sometimes with the help of grants or programs, including Healthy Start. Conflict resolution programs, including peer-mediation programs, have been popular over the last several years.