Dr. Byron McClure, 7 Mindsets Director of Innovation, recently published the opinion piece, “Why the Strongest Academic Gains Start with Student Mindset,” in District Administration. In the article, Byron highlights students’ mental disengagement in school as a challenge for educators today. The root of this disconnect, Byron argues, lies in student mindset—how students view themselves, their abilities, and their future—and he emphasizes that creating a mindset-focused culture requires consistent language, reflective practices, and systemwide alignment. In the article, Byron calls on districts to shift focus from just improving academic levers to transforming how students think. His message is clear: students don’t just need more content—they need the mindsets that make learning possible.
The complete article, published on September 29, 2025, is available here.
Why the Strongest Academic Gains Start with Mindsets
By: Dr. Byron McClure | Date: September 29, 2025
A seventh grader stares at the clock, just waiting for the bell. Another student leans forward, hand raised, fully engaged. Same classroom. Same teacher. Same lesson. Two students, but only one is actually present.
Educators describe this quiet divide everywhere. Students are showing up, but many are disconnected from the learning, from each other, and in some cases, from themselves. Districts respond with support programs, tutoring, and new technology. Some progress is made, but the underlying challenge often stays the same.
What drives student engagement more than anything else? Their mindset. How students think about themselves, others, and their future shapes how they participate in school. When districts don’t begin here, an opportunity is being missed.
Continue reading the article here.
