Ever heard of the School Climate? No? Then you sure must have not read ASCD Executive Director Gene R. Carter’s latest column Is it Good for the Kids? The column talks about a high school in Baltimore struggling to make it to the surface as an unhealthy climate, chaotic classrooms, rowdy students and oblivious parents try and pull it down. No wonder 50 percent of the school’s 9th graders drop out by the end of their first year and the test scores are much below average. That is how Carter brings forth The School Climate Challenge by emphasizing the role of a whole school to nurture a whole child who is eager to learn, is healthy both mentally and emotionally, has a strong civic sense and is ready to face the world. According to Carter and the Center for Social and Emotional Education along with the Education Commission of the States, a whole school is one that collaborates with its community to deliberately build and sustain a positive school climate.

The column also offers suggestions to schools on creating positive climates like taking the pulse of the school’s current climate, using school climate evaluation results to develop and implement an improvement plan, incorporating school climate measures into a richer accountability system, and promoting community participation in improvement efforts. A very interesting approach, I must say, and workable too. Wotsay?

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