What is school climate?School climate is the learning environment created through the interaction of human relationships, physical setting and psychological atmosphere.

Perkins, 2006

Standardized Tests

ReadingWritingArithmeticSocial ServicesSpecial EducationESLHealth ServicesPsychological ServicesSchool Readiness/Early Childhood ServicesFood ProgramsAfter-School Care ProgramsSupplementary Educational ServicesStandardized Tests

CommunityFaith-based InstitutionsGovernmentStandardized TestsReadingWritingArithmeticSocial ServicesSpecial EducationESLHealth ServicesSupplementary Educational ServicesAfter-School Care ProgramsFood ProgramsSchool Readiness/Early Childhood ServicesPsychological ServicesLocal BusinessNon-ProfitAgencies

Affective/CognitiveTrust, Respect & CaringSafetyBullyingRacial Self-Concept

LiteracyNumeracyScience knowledgeLanguage composition

Study PurposeTo provide a description of teacher, student and administrator perceptions of climate in urban schools.

2006 Where We Learn2007 Where We Teach

Where We TeachTeachers & Administrators12 Urban Districts10 States127 Schools4700 Teachers267 Building Principals & Assistant Principals

Survey DimensionsBullyingExpectation of SuccessInfluence of RaceProfessional ClimateParental InvolvementSafetyTrust, Respect and Ethos of CaringASC Survey 2006 Version 2.5

Selected ResultsMost students would not be successful at a community college or universityStudents at the school are not motivated to learnTeachers at the school care whether or not the students are successful

Lily EskelsenNational Education Association

Selected ResultsThis school is a safe place in which to workStudents at this school fight a lot.I would benefit from more PD provided by the district/Teachers at this school would benefit from more PD

John MitchellAmerican Federation of Teachers

Selected ResultsI am currently pursuing in-service opportunities to improve myself as an administrator.I actively seek opportunities to help teachers learn new instructional methodsStudents at this school are capable of high achievement on standardized exams.

Cheryl RigginsNational Association for Elementary School Principals

Selected ResultsStudents at this school are capable of high achievement on standardized exams.Students at this school are not motivated to learn.Students in this school will have difficulty with core academic subjects regardless of strength of instruction.

Judith RichardsonNational Association for Secondary School Principals

Assessing ClimateA safe and welcoming learning climate is a prerequisite to high student achievement. School districts need to understand climate issues, conduct assessments, pass policies, and take steps to make improvements where necessary.

Recommendations: BullyingStudent IdentificationBoard PoliciesBullying Prevention

Recommendations: SuccessHigh Expectations for Students academic and social development

Recommendations: Influence of RaceRecognize diversityDevelop culturally respectful & sensitive instructional programming

Recommendations: Professional ClimateStaff collaboration around learning goalsShared decision-making

Recommendations: Professional DevelopmentPD should deepen and broaden content knowledgePD should train professionals to use data

Recommendations: Parental InvolvementEngage families as partnersParents/guardians should be active participants

For Future ResearchWhy teachers feel significantly less optimistic about student potential in community college or universityWhy significant numbers of teachers & administrators hold the view that students are not motivated to learnWhy administrators express more confidence in students ability to perform on standardized testsWhy significant numbers of teachers and administrators believe that students will be successful in their schools because of their race.

NSBA Council of Urban Boards of Educationwww.nsba.org/cubeDr. Brian K. Perkins, Principal Investigatorwww.schoolclimatesurvey.combriankperkins@doctor.com

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