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National School Climate Standards

Benchmarks to promote effective teaching, learning and comprehensive school improvement.


Standards represent goals. When States or Districts adopt or adapt standards, they are creating a “bar” that schools need to actualize.

The National School Climate Standards were developed by CSEE, the National School Climate Council and many other educational, school board and community leaders. (For information about how the Standards have been developed, click here.)

The Standards present a vision and framework for a positive and sustainable school climate. They complement national standards for Content, Leadership, and Professional Development and the Parent Teacher Association's National Standards for Family School Partnerships Standards.

The set of National School Climate Standards presented here establishes a baseline of conditions for a learning environment for each child in a way that often is left to chance and that supports ASCD's vision for it is possible when we educate the whole child.
Gene Carter, Executive Director, ASCD

This framework is comprised of five standards and a set of indicators and sub-indicators that support the school community:

  1. Developing a shared vision and plan for promoting, enhancing and sustaining a positive school climate.
  2. Developing policies that promote social, emotional ethical, civic and intellectual learning as well as systems that address barriers to learning.
  3. Promoting practices that promote the learning and positive social, emotional, ethical and civic development of students and student engagement as well as addressing barriers to learning.
  4. Creating an environment where all members are welcomed, supported, and feel safe in school: socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically.
  5. Developing meaningful and engaging practices, activities and norms that promote social and civic responsibilities and a commitment to social justice.
The National School Climate Standards are a powerful tool for a school board to begin, or improve upon, implementing good policy and sound practice to ensure that our students have a safe , nurturing and supportive climate in their school. Based on the best research, it is written in a user friendly manner. Every district should get this excellent document and use it!
Anne Bryant
Executive Director of the National School Boards Association

Download the National School Climate Standards
We are pleased to present the National School Climate Standards which includes the series of linked indicators and sub-indicators.
Download it here. (PDF)

 

Endorsed by NSBA
The National School Climate Standards: Benchmarks to Promote Effective Teaching, Leaning and Comprehensive School Improvement is endorsed by the National School Boards Association.