Whole School Climate Framework
A Framework for Creating Safer Schools from the Inside-Out
The Whole School Climate Framework, developed by Community Matters, is a cost-effective and attainable approach that provides educational leaders with a clear blueprint for achieving the educational outcomes that have proven so elusive in recent reform efforts.
How Safe Are Our Schools?
Over the last decade, our nation has invested more than $10 billion in school safety and climate improvement measures. The vast majority of those dollars have supported an “Outside-In Approach” that is driven by adults and characterized by fences, locks, tougher rules and policies, security personnel and other staff to supervise students and cameras to monitor their behavior.
Today, even with such an enormous investment, and despite national media attention and increased efforts of legislators, policymakers, and educators, schools are not significantly safer.
The Solution Within
We know that we cannot legislate bullying away and we cannot punish students into becoming better citizens. What’s needed is a major shift: a change in attitudes, beliefs, direction, and priorities, and a corresponding reallocation of resources. This shift is best accomplished by using an “Inside-Out Approach” – one which recognizes that a positive school climate is the foundation for building safe, high performing, and thriving school communities.
Download our Whole School Climate Framework to learn more about:
- What is School Climate?
And what makes it such a powerful tool for change…
- Why is School Climate Important?
And what educational outcomes are directly tied to climate…
- What Determines School Climate?
School climate is influenced and determined by these five factors…
- Keys to Successful Change
Where & how to begin the change process, and how to ensure its success…
- Planning for Whole School Climate Change
A four-step process that aligns all stakeholders to achieve a common vision…
Download our Whole School Climate Call to Action to learn more about how Community Matters can support your efforts, including:
- Preliminary Assessment – No Charge or Obligation
When we know a little more about your efforts, we’ll be able to offer preliminary recommendations for priority focus areas that will help you take the best next steps…
- An Integrated Suite of Services and Programs
Take full advantage of opportunities to leverage each of the five determinants of school climate, many at zero cost or minimal cost that is quickly recovered…
The Whole School Climate Framework has been developed by Community Matters, a 501(c)(3) educational and youth development non-profit organization that has worked with more than 1,000 school and community organizations since 1996.