School climate matters, concludes a massive review of research by experts at the National School Climate Center and Fordham University.
Distilling more than 200 studies and literature reviews, the study concludes that “sustained positive school climate is associated with positive child and youth development; effective risk-prevention and health-promotion efforts; student learning and academic achievement; increased student graduation rates, and teacher retention.”
While the researchers found abundant literature from all over the world that documents the power of a positive school climate, they point out one flaw in the research: no common definition of what school climate comprises or what defines a positive school climate.
The study was published last month in the journal Review of Educational Research.
