Positive School Climates

High-Leverage Opportunity 4

Focusing on the best use and measurement of data to improve student motivation, social emotional development and behavioral engagement. Also working to empower families to support their student’s engagement.

Research shows that a positive school environment is no “frill” to be addressed after academic and disciplinary matters are handled. Instead, such environments are the primary pathway to effective learning (Darling-Hammond and Cook-Harvey, 2018). The school environment found in low-performing schools is one of the High-Leverage Problem (HLPs) areas identified by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). HLP #4 is Positive School Climates through Student Support and Family Empowerment Interventions.

The Region 6 Comprehensive Center (RC6) supports SEAs by focusing on the best use and measurement of data to improve student motivation, social emotional development and behavioral engagement.

Key strategies to support this work:

  • Implement a customized annual plan of support for each SEA in using School Climate data.
  • Design and implement a system of support to LEAs and CSI/TSI schools on evidence-based practices to improve behavioral engagement.
  • Work with SEAs to support LEA/CSI school use of EBPs to empower families to choose high quality education settings and opportunities.

The RC6 projects within its three-state coverage area will address one or more HLPs according to the work, and SEA and school district needs. Following is the RC6’s current work around HLP #4:

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This website was developed under a grant from the Department of Education through the Office of Program and Grantee Support Services (PGSS) within the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), by the Region 6 Comprehensive Center (RC6) at the SERVE Center at UNC Greensboro under Award #S283B190055. This website contains resources that are provided for the reader’s convenience. These materials may contain the views and recommendations of various subject matter experts as well as hypertext links, contact addresses, and websites to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any outside information included in these materials. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service, enterprise, curriculum, or program of instruction mentioned in this document is intended or should be inferred.

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