Policy, Research and Analysis
Policy Forum December 2007 – Establishing School Climate for Academic Success
While urban schools face multiple challenges – including high poverty rates, diverse student populations, and sometimes unsafe and inadequate physical facilities – many are able to create strong positive learning environments which support academic achievement. Some note “the feel” of such schools as an appreciable indicator of the levels of learning taking place. Researchers and practitioners define this school climate as the quality and character of school life which includes several important dimensions: safety, teaching and learning, relationships and environment. Research also reveals that safe, caring, participatory and responsive school climate fosters great attachment to school, as well as providing the foundation for social, emotional and academic learning. Given the relationship between connectedness to school and adolescent health and academic outcomes, positive school climate development may also be viewed as an important tool for reducing the number of students who become disconnected or alienated and eventually drop out of school.
The December Policy Forum focused on successful practices and interventions which contribute to the creation of a climate that supports and promotes academic achievement. Forum speakers addressed some of the following questions:
- What are the key elements to providing a positive school climate?
- How does school climate affect students socially and academically?
- How is school climate measured and how can school climate be improved?
- What are some best practices and innovations, nationally?
- What models and strategies are being used to keep at-risk students in school?
- How do these strategies differ based on age, race, gender, and sexual orientation?
- Which schools and/or programs in the District of Columbia are excelling at preparing their students socially and academically?
- What can policymakers, teachers, education leaders, researchers, and organizational leaders do to address and improve school climate?
- Which kinds of policies might be developed in the District to support more positive school climate for students?
Speakers included:
- Jonathan Cohen, President, Center for Social and Emotional Education and Adjunct Professor in Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
- Darryl Jones, Executive Director, Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capitol
- Angela Brown, Behavior Coordinator, State Improvement Grant, Office of the State Superintendent of Education
- De-Lea Deane , Miles Family Fellow and Teacher, Kipp DC: Key Academy
To access speaker bios, speaker presentations, and an annotated bibliography, please select from the following list:
