ERIC Number: ED544743
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Jan
Pages: 37
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Guiding Principles: A Resource Guide for Improving School Climate and Discipline
US Department of Education
Developing positive school climates and improving school discipline policies and practices are critical steps to raising academic achievement and supporting student success. However, there is no single formula for doing so. Rather, the growing body of research and best practices in the field should inform locally developed approaches to improving school climate and discipline policies and practices. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is issuing this resource guide to assist states, school districts, charter school operators, school staff, parents, students, and other stakeholders who are seeking to develop school climate and school discipline policies and practices that are both locally tailored and grounded in recognized promising practices and research. ED's work with a wide range of safe and successful schools, review of research and evaluation, and consultation with the field and federal partners have revealed that a broad range of high-achieving schools typically share a number of common approaches to creating safe and supportive conditions for learning. These schools take deliberate steps to create positive school climates and prevent student misbehavior; ensure that clear, appropriate, and consistent expectations and consequences are in place to prevent and address misbehavior; and cultivate an expectation of continuous improvement driven by data and analysis to ensure fairness and equity for all students. Drawing from these common approaches, ED has identified three guiding principles for policymakers, district officials, school leaders, and stakeholders to consider as they work to improve school climate and discipline: (1) Create positive climates and focus on prevention; (2) Develop clear, appropriate, and consistent expectations and consequences to address disruptive student behaviors; and (3) Ensure fairness, equity, and continuous improvement. They also identify applicable action steps and relevant research and resources for each guiding principle. (Contains 50 endnotes and 4 footnotes.) [Appendices ("Directory of Federal School Climate and Discipline Resources" and "Compendium of School Discipline Laws and Regulations for each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico") are not included in the ERIC version of this publication.]
Descriptors: Educational Environment, School Culture, Discipline, Prevention, Planning, Evidence, Best Practices, Student Behavior, Social Development, Emotional Development, Academic Achievement, Staff Development, Professional Development, Student Participation, Agency Cooperation, School Community Relationship, School Safety, Police School Relationship, Expectation, Family Involvement, School Policy, Disabilities, Grievance Procedures, Equal Education, Educational Improvement, Disproportionate Representation, Social Justice
US Department of Education. Available from: ED Pubs. P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Tel: 877-433-7827; Fax: 301-470-1244; Web site: http://www.edpubs.gov
Publication Type: Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: Parents; Students; Administrators; Teachers; Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Department of Education (ED)
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 1974; Gun Free Schools Act 1994; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 1996; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A