'education-supportive' originates from Modern English, composed of the noun 'education' and the adjective-forming element 'supportive' (from 'support' + '-ive'). 'education' comes from Latin 'educatio'/'educare', and 'support' ultimately from Old French 'soutenir' (from Latin 'sub-' + 'tenere').

'education' entered English via Old French/Latin ('educatio'/'educare') and developed into Middle English 'educacioun' before becoming modern 'education'. 'Support' came into English from Old French 'soutenir' (from Latin roots), and the adjective 'supportive' formed in Modern English by adding the suffix '-ive'. The compound 'education-supportive' is a modern, transparent compounding of these elements.

Initially the separate elements meant 'to lead out/bring up' (for 'education') and 'to hold up/assist' (for 'support'); combined in modern usage they mean 'favoring or aiding educational activity', a straightforward compositional meaning without major semantic shift.