Improving the school environment: School staff perceptions of school climate data and reporting practices

• NCJ Number: 304082
• Journal: Journal of Community Psychology Volume: 49 Issue: 6 Dated: 2021 Pages: 1965-1982
• Author(s): Katrina J. Debnam; Kelly Edwards ; Dewey Cornell
• Date Published: 2021
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2017-CK-BX-007
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

This mixed-methods study examined staff interest, viewing, and use of survey results in a state that administers a school climate survey.

 

Abstract

School climate surveys have become widely used in U.S. schools, but there is little information on whether school leaders engage teachers and other staff in the process of reviewing and making use of survey results. This mixed-methods study examined staff interest, viewing, and use of survey results in a state that administers a school climate survey. Semi-structured interviews with 15 staff members were conducted to gain insight into quantitative results from 16,525 staff members in 318 high schools. Survey data showed that although 84 percent of school staff were interested in seeing the results of their school climate survey, fewer than one-third reported seeing the results or using them for school planning or improvement. Administrators were more likely than teachers and other staff to have seen and used survey results. Content coding of the qualitative data elaborated on staff interest in reviewing and using climate data. These findings highlight the need for school leaders to collaborate with school staff on interpreting and using survey results for school climate improvement efforts. (publisher abstract modified)