Importance of School Climate Highlighted in Recent Research from University of Chicago

by Catherine Kramer, NYKids Research Assistant 

NYKids is gearing up to release the findings from its latest study focusing on how odds-beating high school educators prepare students for college or career.

Among the key findings is that odds-beating educators co-construct a humanizing school community, which involves active relationship building across all levels of the school. The climate of odds-beating schools is egalitarian and familial as educators work collaboratively and refer to students and colleagues as “family.”

The Aspen Institute highlighted recent research from the University of Chicago that also found the greatest impact school principals can have on student achievement is to shape the climate of the school. Researchers offer ways in which principals in K-12 settings are putting this into practice. To read more, view the piece from the Aspen Institute, Why School Climate Should Be Every Principal’s Top Priority.

NYKids will release its full cross-case report this October, including more about co-constructing a humanizing school community.