Positive Learning Climates KnowledgeBase

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

The Positive Learning Climates KnowledgeBase is an online resource to aid educators in nurturing school climates conducive to learning. It is organized around five elements aimed at developing a positive learning climate.

Task 2: Build a Trusting Environment

Guideline: Achieving a safer school climate requires trust between administrators, teachers, students and parents. The District Superintendent and School Principals create the climate for trust. It then requires the participation of school staff, students and parents. The resources provided explore the subject of trust as a critical component of a school's climate and offers guidance for building it.

resources

Tools

Creative Thinking Tools - The Six Thinking Hats

Individual group members often have divergent viewpoints. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats is a system fostering collaboration, increased productivity, creativity, and innovation. The concept enables participants in a discussion to move from the traditional argumentative approach to a collaborative process and fosters a more productive dialog. The document provides an overview of the tool and additional resources about it.

Guidelines

Guidelines for Productive Meetings

This guide from the Team Handbook might assist team members with having productive meetings.

References

Building Trusting Relationships for School Improvement

This Education Northwest (formerly Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory) report examines the research and key issues associated with trust-building among principals and teachers.

Trust as the Foundation for School Improvement

This article describes research conducted by two University of Chicago professors that demonstrates the beneficial impact a trusting environment has on school improvement.

Turf Issues

Individual group members often have divergent viewpoints. Turf issues can arise between group members and groups within a school, district, or community. This document offers a basic guide for addressing turf issues when they arise.

The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and are intended for general reference purposes only. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education or the Center, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Some resources on this site require Adobe Acrobat Reader. This website archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.