“What Is School Climate and How Does It Affect Youth?”
Article by Beau Garrido, Presley Cobb and Kiahhn’ Jackson
Description:
Research suggests that school climate, the environment within a school, directly affects the academic, emotion al, and mental states of its students. The situation places an extremely large amount of power and responsibility over the lives of thousands of children in the hands of a few administrators. In modern times, society has been able to provide assistance in several ways, improving the current state of schools. However, society is but an observer, and in some cases unable to truly define the needs of a facility.
When analyzing school climate and its effect on students, several aspects of the academic environment need to be taken into account, including events outside of the classroom. These extra curricular opportunities can increase sociability, improving ties between students. Friendships made within the school can also lead to a sense of school pride.
When looking at the behavioral portion of group activities, it seems that social bonding is one way people learn self-control and personal constraints. Also since these activities, inside and outside the classroom, are supervised, the environment created is one that supports proper behavior, making students less likely to misbehave.
Another vital part of the school climate is out side involvement. Studies show that the climate of schools is enhanced when parents get involved in the planning and organization of school functions. The degree of parental involvement can also be linked to student alienation. The more involved the parents, the more involved the child. It is also seen that schools who do not emphasize parental and community involvement usually have the symptoms of a poor school climate.
The next area studied is the educators. Teachers have one of the most powerful positions in society, the position to influence the future. Along with their position comes high expectations. Studies have revealed methods to create the most comfortable learning environment so that educators can achieve maxi mum performance in the classroom. One improvement that can greatly assist teachers is sociability among their peers.
Studies show that faculty communication provides the necessary conditions for the strong teacher networks. It also creates a communal knowledge about teaching, leading to more effective teaching methods. If teachers can work together to create a “sense of community,” they are better equipped to regulate student’s behavior and resolve problems efficiently.
The final area reviewed was the physical aspect of the facility. The most prominent issue is class size. Most studies have shown that smaller class sizes were associated with higher achievements, better student reactions, in creased teacher morale, and improved quality of instructional environment. Additionally, small schools, those with no more than 100 students per grade level, create a setting of familiar faces. This environment promotes learning skills and community responsibility.
Another essential aspect of a school is its aesthetics. Higher achieving schools usually have a building décor that is attractive in color, with pleasant furniture arrangements, displays of student work and they are clean, and well landscaped. While under-achieving schools tend to be decorated with litter and graffiti.
Schools play an enormous role in the future of society; how ever, if they are not well maintained and appreciated by society, they will not be able to reach their full potential and improve the lives of children.
Funding for Academic Year: 2004