Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Fall 2025
Abstract
This capstone project explores the impact of trauma-informed practices (TIP) on middle school students’ academic achievement, social-emotional development, and behavioral growth. Grounded in the understanding that adverse childhood experiences can significantly shape learning and behavior, the study investigates how intentional, school-wide trauma-responsive strategies support student success. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected through classroom observations, academic performance measures, and social-emotional/behavioral screening tools, complemented by teacher and student surveys. Findings highlight positive correlations between consistent implementation of TIP and improvements in student engagement, emotional regulation, and on-task behavior, as well as modest but meaningful gains in academic outcomes. The project underscores the importance of ongoing professional development and fidelity of implementation to sustain results. Implications for practice include integrating TIP into teacher preparation programs and adopting a whole-school approach that prioritizes relationships, predictable routines, and restorative discipline. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence that trauma-informed education not only addresses immediate behavioral challenges but also fosters long-term academic and social-emotional growth.