Resources

Effective school climates for students begin with building positive school climates for staff. Staff members need to feel physically and emotionally safe, a sense of collegiality based on caring, trust, and mutual high expectations, and that they are meaningfully involved in school decision-making.

This What Works Brief recommends activities for improving school environments for staff members across four major research-based strategies:

• Supporting new staff members
• Fostering positive, collegial relationships among staff
• Supporting staff members’ social and emotional competencies
• Implementing reliable systems of student discipline and support