With local educational agencies facing growing challenges related to issues like chronic absenteeism and student mental health concerns to political tensions around curriculum, funding, staffing shortages and teacher burnout, a new report from ThoughtExchange explores the role of a positive school climate in alleviating the difficulties education systems are facing.
Through surveys with 173 education leaders across the country, the report identifies some of the top challenges and the strategies they’re using to build a positive school climate with community support.
“A safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment is paramount for successful districts. School climate directly affects a district’s ability to attract and retain staff, re-engage families, and ensure every student feels seen, heard, and supported. Every district is unique, and so are the strategies that will work best for the community,” the report states. “Staff, parents, and students themselves are the people to turn to for effective, supported solutions. The best school climate is based on a respectful, collaborative partnership between district administration and the people who make up their schools.”
Among those surveyed:
- 40 percent were superintendents, 8 percent were assistant superintendents, 25 percent were district administrators and 24 percent served as communications leaders. Over half of participants had been in their role for four years or longer, with nearly a quarter having a tenure of more than seven years.
- 60 percent of participants came from districts with enrollments of under 5,000 students and 40 percent came from LEAs that enrolled more than 5,000 students.
- 60 percent rated their overall school climate as positive or very positive, and 40 percent rated their overall school climate as very negative, negative or fair. Districts with an enrollment of over 10,000 students were more likely to rate their school climate negatively, with a favorability score of 52 percent — 10 percentage points lower than districts with an enrollment of less than 10,000.
Key findings
Survey results highlighted three areas participants identified as having the most impact on school climate, both positively and negatively.
Student engagement
Factors including discipline policies, opportunities for student participation and teachers’ classroom management significantly influence the “psychosocial climate” at school. For example, schools with climate driven by harsh and punitive discipline tend to have lower levels of student connectedness. Meanwhile, positive school environments — often characterized by caring relationships, participation opportunities and shared positive norms, goals and values — are linked to lower rates of student drug use and delinquency. Higher participation in extracurricular activities also correlates with increased school connectedness, according to the report.
Instructional climate
When teachers experience high levels of burnout or feel emotionally exhausted, it negatively impacts their relationships with students as well as the quality of their teaching. Educators with low teacher efficacy, or negative beliefs about their teaching abilities, tend to use less effective teaching methods, leading to poorer student achievement and increased disruptive behavior. However, when teachers and staff feel supported by their administration, they report higher levels of commitment, more collegiality among staff and increased rates of retention.
Parental involvement or support
Regardless of socioeconomic status or ethnic background, parents’ engagement in their children’s education is linked to better academic outcomes due in part to increased student motivation and engagement. Increased parental presence and positive perceptions can help align parents’ involvement at home with the school’s educational goals. Ensuring parents have positive perceptions of the school climate can make them more likely to visit the school for events like conferences and open houses.
Solutions and next steps
Communication to build trust among the school community, adopting strong stakeholder engagement in decision-making processes and building strong relationships were identified as some of the most effective focus areas for LEAs working to improve or maintain a positive school climate.
To address negative areas, such as a lack of perceived support and appreciation for staff, the report recommends implementing a comprehensive staff recognition program and includes examples of what that may entail.
Other strategies outlined in the report detail how to improve staff experience through support systems, take a different approach to student behavior and discipline, build better family engagement through events and improve alignment through strategic planning.
