What is School Climate?
School Climate is the learning environment created through the interaction of human relationships, physical setting and psychological atmosphere. (Perkins, 2006)
Why is school climate important?
Perceptions about school climate impact teacher morale and student achievement. Positive school climate benefits students, teachers, and staff. Teachers are motivated to teach, students are motivated to learn (Bulach, 1994).
What is the relevance of school climate to No Child Left Behind (NCLB)?
With the enactment of No Child Left Behind (NCLB; No Child Left Behind Act, 2002), states have been forced to focus on improved school outcomes. NCLB has brought increased emphasis on state content standards and measurement of school effectiveness. These specific components of NCLB are direct influences upon school climate.
Research suggests that school climate makes an independent contribution to student achievement levels over the socioeconomic status of students (Bulach, Malone, & Castleman, 1995). Therefore if school climate scores can be assessed through a survey, implementation of specific strategies to improve school climate can have a positive effect on student achievement.
The ASC™ survey was used in a national study of over 40,000 students (Grades 4-12), approximately 4,000 teachers and approximately 300 administrators. National results are available for comparison and benchmarking. The ASC™ survey is currently available in five (5) languages; English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Haitian Creole. Districts may also arrange for an online administration. Reports from the online administration are available within 10 business days.
American School Climate (ASC™) Survey—Community Version 2.5
This 25 question survey is designed to collect information on the views and perspectives of community members regarding the school learning climate, bullying and perceptions on local school effectiveness.
