School Climate

The Project GRAD School Climate Component was designed to assist in implementing research-based best practices in the ten elementary and two middle schools that Project GRAD Knoxville serves. School Climate is best defined as the overall atmosphere of a building. A school’s physical and social climate as well effective classroom management are vital for establishing an environment conducive to learning.

School Climate Mission

Project GRAD Knoxville’s School Climate Component will provide a vital link to improved classroom and school climate that advances student achievement for our Heart of Knoxville schools.

Four Principles of School Climate

  • A physical environment that is welcoming and conducive to learning
  • A social environment that promotes communication and interaction
  • An effective environment that promotes a sense of belonging and self-esteem
  • An academic environment that promotes learning and self-fulfillment

* (University-Community Partnership @ Michigan State University Brief)

Ten Positive School Climate Strategies

  1. Seven Specific Classroom Rules
  2. Classroom Procedures for Daily Activities
  3. Consequence/Reward/Recognition System
  4. School Tools
  5. Non-Verbal Signal
  6. Work at a Glance
  7. Fairness Cup
  8. Positive Parent Communication
  9. Classroom Jobs/Helpers
  10. Cooperative Groups

Principal Support

The School Climate Component offers support to principals in a multitude of ways.  Regular on-going communication with the building principals and consultants is maintained. The School Climate Consultants conduct weekly administration check-ins to discuss school needs, concerns and/or issues. In addition, the consultants conduct quarterly Coach and Principal (CAP) Meetings. Teacher and/or student support visits may be conducted as requested by the principal.

Teacher Support

Teacher support is a primary focus of School Climate. Each year, the consultants facilitate a training session for all new Project GRAD school teachers. Throughout the academic year, consultants are available at the principal’s request to assist teachers with support visits and/or peer teacher visits.

School Climate Consultants provide a research-based best practice strategy Walk-Through Tool which can be used in a variety of ways. The Walk-Through Tool can be used as a self-assessment form for teachers to complete based on best practice strategies evident in their classroom. School Climate Advisors and/or Consultants may also use this Walk-Through Tool to check for implementation of the research-based best practice strategies.

School Support

Monthly Discipline Reports are compiled based on the Knox County School’s office referral reporting system. These reports are analyzed by the School Climate Consultants to determine trends in the data as well as areas of needed support and focus.

School Climate continues to contract with Consistency Management and Cooperative Discipline (CMCD) to provide annual Climate and Transition Surveys for each school.  Climate Surveys are administered in January to all 3rd-8th grade students, teachers, and leadership. The Climate Surveys are designed to determine overall climate in each school building. Transition Surveys are administered in April to all 5th and 8th grade students who are transitioning into new school buildings. The Transition Surveys establish student fears and anxieties as they progress to the next level.

Resources

Love and Logic - www.loveandlogic.com

Conscious Classroom Management - www.consciousteaching.com