Positive Learning Climates KnowledgeBase

Element 1: Understand the Law

Purpose: In addition to addressing academic rigor, instructional strategies, teacher qualifications, and class size, the learning environment plays an equally important role in improving student academic achievement. The first step in creating a positive learning climate is understanding the laws addressing school safety. Element 1 offers basic information on the legal aspects of school safety.

Activity 1: Become Familiar with the Legal Aspects Concerning Safer Schools

    •    Task 1: Review Federal Law
    •    Task 2: Become Familiar with State and Local Requirements

Activity 2: Understand Legal Implications for Schools and School Personnel

    •    Task 1: Identify Legal Rights, Responsibilities, and Risks
         ◦    Sub-Task 1: Families
         ◦    Sub-Task 2: Business Community
         ◦    Sub-Task 3: Public Safety Agencies
         ◦    Sub-Task 4: Social Service Organizations
         ◦    Sub-Task 5: Youth Gangs
    •    Task 2: Review District/School Policies and Handbooks
         ◦    Sub-Task 1: Family Factors
         ◦    Sub-Task 2: Community Factors
    •    Task 3: Communicate with the School Board
    •    Task 4: Define Requirements for District and School Staff Members

Element 2: Know Your School and Community

Purpose: Assessing the school's learning climate involves looking at student behavior, school culture, physical environment, family and community involvement, and interactions with other government agencies. Element 2 outlines the tasks involved in creating a profile of the school's learning climate.

Activity 1: Take a Snapshot of School and Community

    •    Task 1: Get Organized for Data Collection
    •    Task 2: Collect Student Behavior Data
    •    Task 3: Study School Climate
    •    Task 4: Examine the School's Physical Environment
    •    Task 5: Assess Family and Community Factors
         ◦    Sub-Task 1: Family Factors
         ◦    Sub-Task 2: Community Factors
    •    Task 6: Identify Interactions with Other Government Agencies
    •    Task 7: Review Professional Learning Activities

Activity 2: Identify Focus Areas

    •    Task 1: School Climate
    •    Task 2: Family and Community Factors
    •    Task 3: Professional Learning
    •    Task 4: Identify Focus Areas From School/Community Snapshot

Element 3: Create a Comprehensive Positive School Climate

Purpose: Addressing school climate is an important aspect of improving academic performance. Taking a comprehensive look at a school's climate addresses focus areas that merit attention and communicates intended methods and strategies to the staff members, students, and other relevant constituent groups. Element 3 outlines the tasks involved with creating a positive school climate.

Activity 1: Plan to Act

    •    Task 1: Organize the Team
    •    Task 2: Orient the Team
    •    Task 3: Acquire Technical Assistance

Activity 2: Develop Methods and Strategies

    •    Task 1: Review Existing Policies/Procedures
    •    Task 2: Consult with the School's Constituent Groups and Outside Experts
    •    Task 3: Incorporate Strategies Aimed at School Context and Organization
         ◦    Sub-Task 1: Bullying
         ◦    Sub-Task 2: Character Initiatives
         ◦    Sub-Task 3: Conflict Resolution
         ◦    Sub-Task 4: Cyber Bullying
         ◦    Sub-Task 5: Drug Testing
         ◦    Sub-Task 6: Extended-Time Activities
         ◦    Sub-Task 7: Harassment
         ◦    Sub-Task 8: Safe and Drug Free
         ◦    Sub-Task 9: Substance-Impacted Students
         ◦    Sub-Task 10: Student Retention
         ◦    Sub-Task 11: Zero Tolerance
    •    Task 4: Involve Families and the Community
         ◦    Sub-Task 1: Families
         ◦    Sub-Task 2: Business Community
         ◦    Sub-Task 3: Public Safety Agencies
         ◦    Sub-Task 4: Social Service Organizations
         ◦    Sub-Task 5: Youth Gangs
    •    Task 5: Establish Measurable Goals

Activity 3: Identify Resources Required to Accomplish Goals

    •    Task 1: Identify Responsibilities
    •    Task 2: Access Resources Provided Through Government Channels
    •    Task 3: Investigate Non-Governmental Resources
    •    Task 4: Identify Non-Financial Resources
    •    Task 5: Locate Resources for Professional Learning

Activity 4: Document Methods and Strategies

    •    Task 1: Record Identified Methods and Strategies
    •    Task 2: Review with the Team
    •    Task 3: Solicit Input from Constituent Groups and Outside Experts
    •    Task 4: Review with District Superintendent

lement 4: Implement Strategies

Purpose: Improvement is achieved through the effective implementation of chosen strategies. To be successful, the principal should monitor the school's progress towards implementing the selected strategies. Element 4 outlines the steps for implementing the strategies aimed at improving a school's climate.

Activity 1: Manage Implementation

• Task 1: Designate Work Teams to Address Goals
• Task 2: Create & Monitor Improvement Dashboard
• Task 3: Track Project Schedules

Activity 2: Accomplish Change

• Task 1: Understand Change Process
• Task 2: Build a Trusting Environment
• Task 3: Implement Quality Assurance Process

Activity 3: Evaluate Outcomes

• Task 1: Create and Execute Evaluation Plan
• Task 2: Use Data to Make Adjustments
• Task 3: Share Findings with Constituent Groups

Element 5: Communicate with School's Constituencies

Purpose: What happens in school is community news and sometimes even draws national attention. A district's and school's communication strategies should address how behavioral incidents are handled. Element 5 provides information on communicating with the school's constituencies.

Activity 1: Develop a Communications Strategy

    •    Task 1: Identify Target Audiences
    •    Task 2: Match the Message Content with the Audience
    •    Task 3: Determine Communication Modes

Activity 2: Execute Communications Strategy

    •    Task 1: Organize to Execute Strategy
    •    Task 2: Execute Communication Strategy
    •    Task 3: Monitor Communication Activities