Positive School Climate

Dr. Shanda C. CrowderClinical Assistant Professor and Director The Positive Schools CenterUniversity of Maryland, School of Social Work

Discussion Topics• Overview of the Positive Schools Center (PSC)• PSC School Climate Framework– Pillars and Tenets of School Climate

• PSC Approaches• Coordinators Role in improving school climate• Building a multi-tiered system of supports

Positive Schools Center (PSC)

Purpose: The Positive Schools Center aims to partner with school districts to identify and collaborate around issues related to school climate and punitive discipline, especially when those issues result in high rates of suspensions and expulsions.

Positive Schools Center (PSC)

Mission: The Positive Schools Center promotes positive, supportive and mindful learning communities where students and school staff can connect, develop and grow.

Vision: Positive, Supportive and Mindful learning communities will be places where Students & School Staff can:

– Connect with each other in a safe and positive environment in a mindful manner;

– Positively Develop as students and staff (academically/professionally, socially, and emotionally); and

– Grow as student scholars and educational leaders.

5 Pillars of School Climate

4 Tenets of School Climate

School ClimateSchool climate are the elements in a school that create an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, respected, attends regularly, and participates in the learning process. There are five key pillars of school climate:

1. Leadership-School leaders understand and demonstrate how procedures and processes create the conditions necessary for school success.

2. Positive Relationships- Positive relationships exist among all stakeholders of the school community (regardless of age or status) built on honest communication, with opportunities for problem solving and conflict resolution that are taught and facilitated.

School Climate3. Engaging Teaching and Learning: Teachers are provided with the

resources and support necessary to employ engaging, student-centered teaching practices and evidence-based instruction. Students of all abilities are engaged because they are supported and have ample opportunities to participate, self- advocate, grow, and succeed.

4. Welcoming Environment : Everyone feels welcomed on the school campus and the school environment shows investment in its students, families, and staff through a clean, well-maintained building and campus.

5. Safety: Everyone plays a role in maintaining physical, mental and emotional safety for all students and adults. School leaders prioritize keeping students in school and utilize alternatives to suspension that incorporate student voice.

PSC Tenets of School ClimateTrauma Responsive Education • Understand the impact of complex developmental

trauma for students• Explore the impact of secondary trauma on school staff • Encouraging staff responses based on the causes of

students’ behavior

Engaging Classroom Communities• Train adults to focus on creative ways to engage

children in learning instead of managing behavior

PSC Tenets of School ClimateRestorative and Healing Practices

• Mindfulness strategies in classroom and other school settings• Restorative Circles and strategies to return students to their

school community• Methods to enhance teacher self-care

Understanding and Reducing Implicit Bias• Identify and address staff’s unconscious biases that may impact

interactions with students • Explore with districts how policies and processes introduce bias

resulting in disproportionally for children of color and children with disabilities.

PSC Approaches

PSC’s website will be available to schools and will contain strategies to improve school climate• Evaluation of leading research in the field• Resources and tools that can easily be applied to

schools and classrooms• Real schools demonstrating implementation of

best practices

School Climate Repository

PSC provides professional development for school staff and leaders rooted in the School Climate Framework.

PSC will partner with school districts, individual schools, and education organizations to do the following:• Issue Identification and Strategy Development • Skill Building and Training • Individual School/Organization Support

Professional Development & Training

PSC facilitates groups of stakeholders around school climate issues:• District and school leaders • Teachers and school staff• Students, families and communities• School climate partners

School Climate Learning Collaboratives