Diverse Learners

Improving School Climate

School climate is a multi-dimensional concept that encompasses a variety of factors affecting the learning environment — from student and staff attitudes to the discipline system to extracurricular offerings to the physical condition of facilities. We work to foster healthy school climates by helping schools identify and address school climate issues that can affect student achievement.

Our work in this area often begins with a school climate needs assessment. School Climate Needs Assessments are flexible tools designed to help schools and districts look at potential school climate issues and how they may be affecting student achievement. We use interviews, observation protocols, focus group protocols, and surveys to collect information from a variety of sources: teachers, students, parents, administrators, and community members. Our equity and diversity specialists team up with school and district leaders to tailor the needs assessment for each client's specific area of concern.

Once a school's needs are identified, we offer a set of recommendations for action and collaborate with schools and districts to offer a variety of job-embedded, customized solutions to help schools improve the learning environment for all students.