FEBRUARY 28, 2015

What is a
positive
school
culture?

SCHOOL CULTURE

WHY WE NEED IT

WHAT WE CAN DO?

Why do we need a
positive school culture?

Important points to
think about

SCH OOL CULTURE

School Culture: What is it?

Our school culture refers to the quality of our school environment that affects the behaviors and
attitudes of our students and staff. This environment is created by the interactions between teachers,
parents, administration and, most importantly, the community as a whole. In order to maintain a
positive culture, it is important to establish open communication between all parties. By maintaining
a positive environment, we will be able to foster the youth development and learning that is necessary
for a productive and satisfying life in a democratic society. -National School Climate Center

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Why the Necessity?

A growing body of research shows that school climate
strongly influences students motivation to learn and
improve academic achievement. When school members
feel safe, valued, cared for, respected and engaged,
learning increases. Schools that provide students with
support to meet these basic needs allow them to grow
socially and emotionally and avoid problems ranging
from emotional distress to drug use to violence in
addition to helping them achieve academically. -CA
Department of Education

SCHOOL CULTURE

Teaching isnt
just a career, its a
calling.

What can we do?

As teachers, there are a variety of ways we can work together
to establish a positive school culture. Below is a list of key
points our school should focus on throughout this year
collected from the U.S. Department of Education Directory
of Federal School Climate and Discipline Resources:
*Promote social and emotional learning to complement
academic skills and encourage positive behavior.
*Provide regular training and supports to all student
personnel including teachers, principals, support staff,
and school-based law enforcement offices - on how to engage
students and support positive behavior.
*Collaborate with local mental health, child welfare, law
enforcement, and juvenile justice agencies and other
stakeholders to align resources, prevention strategies, and
intervention services.
*Set high expectations for behavior and adopt an
instructional approach to school discipline.
*Remove students from the classroom only as a last resort,
ensure that any alternative settings provide students with
academic instruction, and return students to their regular
class as soon as possible.

Schools that foster positive

school climates can help to
engage all students in
learning by preventing
student misbehavior and
intervening effectively to
support struggling and atrisk students. -U.S.
Department of Education

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SCHOOL CULTURE

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