What's SafeMeasures? A process for transforming school climate...

We get asked what our process for transforming school climate is and how it works... we thought we would take a few minutes to delve into it. Here's a copy of our handout on the SafeMeasures process... Please reach out to us with your questions, ideas, and concerns!

... the CSCL

SafeMeasuresä School Climate Improvement Process

The SafeMeasures™ Process is a comprehensive, yet simple process for improving school climate and learning. We use the power of student-led, collaborative action research to engage and inspire students and teachers to work together to improve their schools. This five-stage process brings together diverse teams of student and adult leaders to collect and analyze school climate data, create action plans and initiate effective projects and activities that promote measurable school climate improvement. We use a valid and reliable school climate assessment program that is aligned with National School Climate Standards to guide school improvement planning and design. Engaging students and teachers as leaders and experts on school climate is the heart and soul of this five step school improvement process.

Stage One: Planning, Design, and Organization

• Gain the commitment and leadership of the principal and a group of caring adults who will help design and lead the process for their school.

• Plan, design, and organize the SafeMeasures™ process so it fits with existing school initiatives.

• Select a diverse group of students to serve as leadership partners.

Stage Two: Data Collection

• Collect qualitative and quantitative school climate data from students, teachers, and parents to understand school climate issues within each school.

Stage Three: Data Analysis & Goal Setting

• Analyze data to understand students’ and teachers’ (and parents’) perceptions of the school.

• Students and teachers each set School Improvement Goals based on evidence from the data of the school’s greatest needs.

Stage Four: Action Planning & Project Development

• Students and teachers develop action plans and projects, and make commitments to address their goals.

• Students and teachers implement short-term and long-term projects over the course of at least a year.

Stage Five: Implementation, Evaluation and Sustaining Leadership

• Student leaders collect a second round of school climate data and compare pre-post results with their teachers to evaluate the school’s progress.

• Celebrate and publicize successes and improvements in school climate and learning.

• Repeat the process, develop new action plans for continuous improvement,

• Develop infrastructure and supports to support and sustain school improvement efforts over time.