Non-classroom issues can have a significant impact on student academic, social, and emotional success. For example, students dealing with mental health issues are at a substantial academic disadvantage in the classroom relative to students who do not exhibit mental health problems. The following graphic illustrates the relationship between non-classroom issues and student performance.

Non-Classroom Barriers as Factors in Student Performance

As depicted in the graphic, non-classroom issues directly impact the effectiveness of classroom instruction. One of the central assumptions of the Boston Connects program is that non-classroom issues (e.g. mental health issues, home environment, health issues) have a significant impact on a student’s ability to do well in school—academically, socially, and emotionally. The goal of Boston Connects is to implement a process or mechanism capable of meeting a variety of student needs thereby reducing the effects of non-classroom issues while enhancing student performance.