What addition to an after-school support program would best promote academic success for underachieving students?

Promoting a growth mindset in students is crucial for fostering an environment where they believe that their abilities can be developed through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Encouraging a growth mindset helps underachieving students understand that intelligence and talent are not fixed attributes but rather qualities that can be cultivated and improved over time. This mindset can lead to increased motivation, resilience in the face of challenges, and a more positive attitude towards learning.

In the context of an after-school support program, facilitating a growth mindset can empower students to embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for learning rather than obstacles. This approach can significantly enhance their academic success by encouraging them to engage with their studies more deeply and persist through difficulties.

While other options—such as providing public recognition for performance improvements or helping students develop self-assessment abilities—can also support academic success, they tend to be more superficial or immediate in their effects. The most sustainable and transformative change comes from instilling a foundational belief in the value of effort and growth, which is at the heart of the growth mindset approach.