Case Study: Brooklyn Theatre Arts High School (BTA)

Key Findings from the Pre- and Post-Workshop Survey

1. Do you know how to study?
The most significant improvement among all study skills categories reflects the workshop’s effectiveness in addressing core study skills. Students gained insights into organizing their study time, breaking down material into manageable parts, and using active study techniques such as self-quizzing or summarizing. This improvement suggests that the workshop succeeded in demystifying what “studying” entails, giving students a clearer framework for approaching their learning.

2. Do you know how to prepare for tests?
The improvement in test preparation skills highlights the workshop’s success in this area.
Students learned study methods such as creating study schedules, using review questions, and summarizing key points. The increase suggests that students feel more prepared and less intimidated by the idea of test preparation.

3. Do you know how to manage your time?
There was a meaningful improvement in time management, but it remains challenging for students. The workshop introduced the concept of using planners, setting deadlines, and prioritizing tasks, which helped boost confidence. However, time management is a skill requiring sustained effort and practice beyond a single workshop.

4. Do you know how to use different ways to remember information?
The workshop significantly increased students’ awareness and confidence in memory techniques. This indicates that many students found value in learning diverse strategies, such as mnemonics, chunking, visualization, and/or using study aids like SMART (flashcards) cards. These techniques most probably resonated because they are practical and easy to apply across all subjects.

5. Do you know how to take notes?
This area did not see as much improvement as others. This suggests that although the workshop addressed key aspects of note-taking, it may not have been as transformative as other taught study skills. The increase, smaller as it was, could reflect the introduction of techniques like active listening, structured note formats (e.g., Cornell notes), and summarization strategies. However, the relatively small gain implies that some students might need more practice or follow-up support to implement these strategies effectively in their academic routines.

Overall Observations
The workshop had a measurable impact on all five skill categories. These gains reflect the effectiveness of the workshop content and structure, particularly in teaching foundational study strategies and test preparation. However, areas like time management and note-taking could benefit from additional focus and hands-on practice to ensure students fully internalize
these skills.

Parameters:

• Four cohorts of approximately 30 students each participated in the Essential Study Skills & Executive Function Workshop.
• Each student participated in a total of 4.5 hours of instruction.
• Six sessions of 45 minutes in length were offered over six consecutive weeks.