Why Optimal Learning Conditions are Critical for Student Achievement
An educator’s role is so much more than simply imparting knowledge to students. Educators from kindergarten all the way to graduate school must create classroom environments in which students feel supported, confident, and capable of learning.
Learning conditions are the underlying factors that influence how students experience their education—everything from the physical classroom environment to their emotional connection with the material being taught. By carefully shaping these conditions, students are more likely to be engaged in learning and to be successful.
In this article, we'll dive deeper into what learning conditions are, why they matter, and how programs like PERTS Elevate and Ascend can help improve learning conditions in meaningful, data-driven ways. Ready to transform your classroom learning conditions? Let’s get started!
3 Classroom Conditions That Facilitate Student Learning
Research shows that students are 2x more likely to earn As and Bs when they experience their learning environments positively. Download this infographic for strategies that foster 3 learning conditions critical for student success.
What Are Learning Conditions?
Learning conditions are factors or circumstances in a classroom that can either support or hinder a student’s ability to learn. It’s not just about the physical setup—like a classroom’s layout, the lighting, or the materials available—it’s also about how students feel in that space. When students feel safe and supported by their teachers and peers, they are more able to engage in learning. Conversely, if a classroom environment feels stressful or unwelcoming, students may struggle to focus, feel unmotivated, and may even stop coming to school regularly.
Types of Learning Conditions
Learning conditions that enhance student learning include physical, social, and psychological elements, and each of these factors contributes to a positive and productive learning experience.
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Physical Environment: Classroom setup, seating arrangements, lighting, and resources that support focus and engagement.
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Social Environment: Positive peer relationships and strong teacher-student interactions that foster a sense of community and collaboration.
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Psychological Environment: Emotional safety and mental support, that encourages confidence, resilience, and a growth mindset.
These three factors work together to create learning conditions that ensure students feel comfortable, supported, and motivated to succeed.
Why Learning Conditions Matter
Research shows that learning conditions—particularly social and psychological factors—can have a significant impact on student outcomes, including academic performance, social and emotional well-being, and preparedness for college, careers, and life outside the classroom.
The Impact of Learning Conditions on Student Performance
Research has consistently shown that when students feel supported and safe, they are more likely to engage actively and perform well academically. Improvements in the classroom environment are linked to higher grades, particularly in subjects like math, where academic success is strongly influenced by the quality of learning conditions.
Jones and Fleming (2021) found that schools with positive learning conditions achieved higher academic performance and greater equity. Research conducted by the Student Experience Project goes a step further and shows that positive student experiences predict improved academic outcomes and engagement and foster greater educational equity. All students, regardless of race, benefit from improved learning conditions, increasing all students’ ability to achieve higher grades.
Closs, Mahat, and Imms (2021) found that well-organized and welcoming classrooms allow students to focus better and stay on task, leading to improved test scores and higher academic achievement.
Noor, et al (2021) discovered that students who experience a positive classroom environment are more likely to set higher academic goals for themselves, driving greater motivation and persistence in their studies.
When teachers actively focus on improving learning conditions, they not only help students perform better but also refine their craft as educators.
Learning Conditions and Social and Emotional Well-Being
A supportive classroom environment isn’t just good for academic success—it is also crucial for students’ social and emotional well-being. When students feel emotionally safe, valued, and respected by their teachers and peers, they are more willing to take risks, speak up, and collaborate. This sense of emotional security helps students build self-confidence and resilience, which are essential for success in school and life. Research consistently shows that emotional safety is linked to stronger social and academic outcomes because students are better able to focus and engage in their learning.
The findings from a longitudinal study of the impact of social and emotional learning (SEL) on students’ mental health and well-being show that when schools prioritize SEL and create supportive, emotionally safe learning environments, students report better emotional health, and higher self-esteem, and teachers experience fewer behavioral problems. The study also found that these positive outcomes were sustained over several years, demonstrating the long-term benefits of positive learning conditions on social and emotional well-being.
A study examining how school climate and SEL programs work together to improve students' social-emotional well-being found that positive learning environments—characterized by supportive relationships, safety, and inclusive practices—are strongly linked to higher levels of emotional regulation, resilience, and self-esteem.
Long-Term Effects of Positive Learning Conditions
Positive learning conditions extend far beyond the classroom and can play a critical role in students’ ability to navigate postsecondary education and the workforce. Students in schools with positive learning environments tend to develop resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills and are more prepared for college and careers.
By fostering positive learning conditions, educators are preparing students for future challenges and are enabling them to thrive in social, professional, and personal situations long after they graduate.
The Importance of Measuring Learning Conditions
Measuring learning conditions is an essential first step in creating environments where all students can thrive. By evaluating various aspects of the classroom and school environment, educators gain insights into the factors that influence student success. These data enable educators to identify gaps and strengths in their practice, make informed decisions, tailor interventions or school practices, and continuously improve the student experience—all of which contribute to a more effective and engaging learning environment.
Understanding Students’ Perceptions of Their Classroom Learning Conditions
Every educator strives to create a positive learning experience for students. Yet, there can often be a gap between a teacher’s perception of their students’ experience in the classroom and how students actually feel. Gathering and quantifying student feedback on their learning conditions is crucial for educators to identify both areas of strength and areas in need of improvement. By assessing elements like classroom organization, social interactions, and psychological safety, educators can take action to improve learning conditions for their students.
For instance, if data indicate that students don’t understand why what they are learning matters or how it connects to their lives and goals, educators can implement strategies that encourage students to reflect on, discuss, and demonstrate how the knowledge and skills being taught will be useful to them in the short or long-term. At an institutional level, administrators can collaborate with the community to develop mentoring programs and internship opportunities that allow students to practice and apply classroom learning in a real-world setting.
Helping Students Feel Seen and Heard
It’s important to include students in the process of improving learning conditions in the classroom. Involving students in shaping their learning environment helps them take ownership of their education and feel empowered, leading to greater academic success and engagement. Educators can start by gathering student feedback on what aspects of the classroom they find motivating or distracting. This can be done through focus groups, informal discussions, or learning conditions surveys, which are part of the PERTS Elevate and Ascend programs.
Once educators have students’ input, they can work with students to make decisions about factors like classroom community, learning goals, and identity safety. This helps students feel invested in their learning and fosters a sense of community and responsibility.
Improving Student Experience
Continuous assessment of learning conditions plays a vital role in maintaining a positive and supportive student experience. Regularly measuring factors such as student-teacher interactions, emotional support, school climate, and peer relationships ensures that educators can make timely adjustments to keep the learning environment nurturing and inclusive. Additionally, continuous improvement efforts help educators stay responsive to the needs of students, leading to a more enriching and successful educational experience.
Using PERTS Programs to Improve Learning Conditions
Now that we've explored the importance of learning conditions and how they impact student achievement, the next step is understanding how to improve them. This is where PERTS Elevate and Ascend become invaluable tools.
PERTS learning conditions programs are designed to help educators improve classroom environments, increase student engagement, and accelerate learning. These data-driven tools offer a powerful way to measure and enhance the learning environment. By providing actionable insights into classroom conditions that best facilitate student learning, PERTS equips educators with the information they need to enact meaningful change. Let's explore how these programs can help you make a positive impact in your classroom.
Elevate (Grades 6–12) and Ascend (Higher Education)
PERTS Elevate and Ascend play a critical role in measuring and improving learning conditions by providing valuable insights into students' perceptions of their classroom environment.
Elevate and Ascend help educators improve learning conditions through:
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Shared language for student engagement.
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Real-time, actionable feedback for educators.
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Guides and protocols for collaboration.
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Robust reports for monitoring impact.
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Access to a growing, national collaborative.
Elevate and Ascend Include Four Key Components
An online platform that synthesizes student feedback into personalized reports for participating educators
Practical recommendations for research-based instructional strategies that support the unique needs of each class
A survey tool to continuously measure students’ perceptions of classroom learning conditions
A framework for building classroom conditions that support engagement and learning
PERTS Learning Conditions Surveys
Elevate
(Grades 6–12)
Nine Core Learning Conditions are Measured
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Affirming Identities
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Classroom Community
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Feedback for Growth
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Learning Goals
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Meaningful Work
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Student Voice
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Supportive Teaching
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Teacher Caring
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Well-Organized Class
Explore how the learning condition Meaningful Work can significantly enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Download the guide to get key insights on this learning condition and how to enhance it to make the classroom experience more impactful for students.
Example of 6-12 Learning Condition: Meaningful Work
PERTS Learning Conditions Reports
PERTS survey data are compiled into personalized learning conditions reports delivered through the PERTS online platform. The reports provide insights by learning condition and can be used to strengthen classroom and institutional practices that boost student engagement and learning for all students.
Data can be analyzed at the class-, grade-, subject area-, school-, and even institution-level. Results are also provided by sub-population so educators can check for and address equity gaps. Because the PERTS programs support cycles of continuous improvement, once students have taken the Elevate or Ascend survey multiple times, learning condition trend data is available, allowing educators to see the impact of new practices over time.
Determining Where to Focus Efforts for Better Learning Conditions
Data are important for improving the classroom environment, but educators often need guidance on how to use this data effectively. With so many potential areas for growth, it can be challenging to determine which learning conditions to focus on first.
PERTS tools help educators to develop a plan focused on key areas for improvement. Below are a few strategies for identifying which learning conditions to prioritize based on the specific classroom context.
Prioritize the learning condition most in need of improvement
Many educators begin by focusing on the area with the greatest potential for improvement. PERTS’ learning conditions reports identify the lowest-scoring aspects in a class or school, providing a clear starting point. Addressing this area with the most room for growth can drive meaningful change and create momentum for further improvements in other learning conditions.
Focus on improving equity
PERTS learning condition survey reports disaggregate data by gender, race, and other customizable demographics, such as English language learners. Equity gaps of 10 percentage points or higher are flagged. Significant disparities between student groups may serve as an effective starting point for targeting improvements in equity.
Lean into your strengths
PERTS learning condition survey reports highlight certain areas that are rated more positively than others. By taking note of these strengths and reflecting on the strategies or efforts that contributed to those high scores, educators can prioritize continuing these successful practices throughout the school year. For example, if students rate Meaningful Work highly after a project-based learning unit, consider integrating similar strategies into future units that were less engaging or meaningful in the past.
PERTS’ Ongoing Support and Guidance on Changing Learning Conditions
PERTS is committed to helping educators make meaningful, positive changes in learning conditions. PERTS offers clear guidance on how to interpret survey data, along with recommendations for research-based instructional strategies to improve the learning conditions that the PERTS surveys measure.
Get Started with the Elevate and Ascend Learning Conditions Programs Today
Positive learning conditions are essential for fostering student success. The Elevate and Ascend programs by PERTS help educators understand students' needs, take action to improve learning conditions, and ultimately increase student engagement and achievement.
Learn more about PERTS learning conditions programs today!
Measure and Strengthen Student Perceptions of Their Learning Conditions with PERTS
PERTS learning conditions experts are here to answer any questions you may have about how to measure and improve student experiences in the classroom. Establishing a strong foundation for positive learning experiences helps all students thrive.