"What makes a good teacher? It's a person who has a passion for knowledge and the subject that they teach, for the community, and for the kids."
Peer Resources Impact
What we Measure:
Peer Resources sets two research informed outcome goals for each student
participating in our programs:
- Increase student engagement with and connection to their school community.
- Increase student confidence in their ability to make a difference in their community.
Additionally, SF Peer Resources is in alignment with the SFUSD Strategic Plan (www.beyondthetalk.org) and is a partner in helping to strengthen learning outcomes for students throughout the District. For more information on the relationship between Peer Resources and the District Strategic Plan, read our document about Peer Resources and the district's Balanced Scorecard.
How we assess:
To assess our progress on meeting our outcomes students are annually
assessed using a pre/post test given to students at entry and exit from
the program at the end of semester or academic year. Students report
their agreement with statements on a five point scale (Disagree Strongly,
Disagree, Neutral, Agree, Agree Strongly). Our evaluation system was
designed by La France and Associates (www.lfa.org) who undertook a multiyear
evaluation of the Peers Program from 2006-2008.
What We Found:
After Participating in Peer Resources, students reported statistically
significant increases: In the following composite areas [ratio of students
reporting increase in parenthesis]:
(3 in 5) School Engagement: Components of this composite include: orientation toward and enjoyment of learning, participation in activities, and future orientation.
(2 in 3) Connectedness to School: Components in this composite include: peers assisting each other in class, respect among peers, sense of connectedness to school community, and sense of belonging.
(3 in 5) Sense of School as a Community: Components of this composite include: sense of school as a friendly place where students are treated well, belief that student opinions matter, that good behavior and good choices are rewarded, and that students and teachers work together to make the school better.
(1 in 2) Leadership: Components of this composite include: perception of the ability to organize and lead group activities, comfort in talking with people who are different, speaking in front of a group, tolerance for different options and ideas, helping others, and receiving and accepting feedback.
(1 in 2) Self-Efficacy/Effort Optimism: Components of this composite include: perception of own ability to solve difficult problems, willingness to seek help, and confidence in ability to help others.
(2 in 5) Belief in the ability to make a difference in their community: Components of this composite include: beliefs about their ability to make a difference in their school and the community in which they live.
(2 in 5) Increased positive relationships with their peers: Components of this composite include: student perceptions of safety, concern about well-being and academic progress of others.
Impact: What Other People Say About Peer Resources
“Peer Resources makes students more ready for the world—Peers teaches
them to be objective, withhold judgment, and mediate conflict.” Teacher
- Balboa High School
“I just think that the Peer Mediation has engendered a feeling among the students that they are more connected to school.” 7th Grade Counselor - Aptos Middle School
“Peer Resources is a great asset to the counseling department. When the counselors are sent disagreements or fights, we send them to Peer Resources. Peer Resources helps students understand healthy ways to address conflict and disagreement, provides feedback to parents and the referring teacher. In short, Peer Resources plays an important part in helping make this school better.” Dean of Students - Aptos Middle School
“I was pleased to find that my students who were mentees in the Peer
Resources program improved their grades in my classes.”
Mr. Schlauraf, Teacher - Phillip & Sala Burton High School
“All of my students, both the mentors and the mentees involved in the Peer Resources program, have improved their grades and participation in my English classes.” Ms. Ashkenes, Teacher-Phillip & Sala Burton High School
“The Peer Resources program has had a very positive impact on the students. They are engaged in a variety of activities and games and the Peers students have done a great job in getting so many of the non-Peer Resources students participating in the school. ” 8th Grade Counselor - Francisco Middle School
“The Peer Resources Program at Horace Mann Middle School has contributed numerous factors in the overall school climate for both students and parents. Primarily, the conflict mediations along with the student incentive programs have added a sense of value in student performance and achievement. In respect to parents, there has been an overwhelming positive response from families who are aware of the incentive procedures on behalf of our students and have extremely enjoyed partaking in activities such as the honor roll breakfasts, student spirit week, and end of the year carnivals.” Parent Liaison – Horace Mann Middle School
“It was very supportive to have [conflict mediation] to turn to, as my class has nothing like that. Mediators were very successful in making sure both parties save face and in the end get along and respect each other’s boundaries. So, thank you, because there were some very positive outcomes.” Ms. Grant (RSP) – Marina Middle School
“Peer Resources is a great new addition to Roosevelt. Mrs. Bliquez and her leaders have brought so much to our school. With school-wide activities like the post-testing carnival and teacher appreciation displays, Peer Resources has brought the student community together in a positive way.” Staff Member – Roosevelt Middle School
“Boys Group provides a space for boys to open up and discuss the difficulties
of being a young man. They play games, share stories, and grow together
in a safe, nurturing environment.” Mathew Pemberton, Assistant
Site Coordinator, Expanded Learning Program – Marina Middle School After-school