School Culture and Climate

Understanding and Cultivating a Positive School Climate

The School Climate Transformation office, in partnership with Colorado State University, has released a White Paper, Understanding and Cultivating a Positive School Climate, that highlights the research linking a positive school climate to a sense of belonging for students, staff, and families. For students, this sense of belonging contributes to increased attendance and engagement in school, higher grades, decreased discipline incidences and drop out rates, all of which lead to increased academic achievement [Cohen, J., et al. (2009); Taylor, R. D., et al. (2017).; Loukas, A. (2007)]. For staff, this sense of belonging enhances staff wellbeing and retention and decreases emotional exhaustion and burnout [Cohen, J., et al. (2009); Singh & Billingsly, (1998); Grayson & Alvarez, (2008)].  Additionally, this paper also examines the best practices according to the literature, on how to improve school climate including attending to physical and psychological safety, creating quality teaching and learning experiences, as well as how to foster the behaviors, skills, and mindsets that lead to student and staff wellbeing.