What is it? 

Using the Template with ThoughtExchange

Topics & Questions

Engagement 

Safety

Environment 

What is it? 

The U.S. Department of Education's School Climate Survey (EDSCLS for short) is a research-backed survey that diagnoses a school's performance across a wide set of 13 meticulously crafted school climate topics.

The instrument is the result of a three-year study led by the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

ThoughtExchange encourages the use of the EDSCLS for several compelling reasons:

• Government Authority: Curated and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the instrument sets the highest standard for reliability and credibility.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The EDSCLS framework encompasses a well-rounded framework of 13 topics, ensuring that all key aspects of school climate are covered.
• Research-backed: All questions and topics within the instrument have undergone tests adhering to guarantee their validity and reliability. 

• Flexibility: The survey can be altered to only include a subset of topics, or even add/remove certain questions.

• Multiple versions: There are different versions for students, staff, and families.

To learn more, please visit the EDSCLS' home page at https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/edscls

Using the Template with ThoughtExchange

This School Climate Survey is offered as a template within ThoughtExchange's survey product. In fact, there is one for students, one for staff, and another for families. We have bolstered it with a series of open-ended questions to gather even richer participant feedback, which can then be analyzed with our Advisor technology.

Running this survey template with ThoughtExchange yields several unique benefits, such as the ability to extract in-depth qualitative insights from our AI powered features, an accessible and user-friendly participant experience, the ability to slice & dice results with powerful filter and compare tools, and finally, the ability to track feedback over time and across engagements.

The template can be launched as-is or used as a bank of topics and/or questions. Please consider the following when making changes:

• Any alterations made to a given topic, such as editing or removing a close-ended question, effectively discounts that topic's claim to being valid and reliable (i.e. research-backed).
• Only unaltered topics can be benchmarked and compared with data collected from the EDSCLS study. To learn more, please contact us at product@thoughtexchange.com     

Topics & Questions

The School Climate Survey is thoughtfully organized into 13 distinct survey topics, each of which plays a role in the assessment and enhancement of the educational experience and the overall well-being of students within a school environment. These 13 survey topics are grouped into three domains, providing a contextual framework for understanding and addressing various aspects of school climate.

Engagement

Engagement in school involves effort, belonging, and emotional connection. Positive relationships with teachers are crucial for student success and reducing dropout rates. The three main areas to gauge and foster student engagement include: 

• Cultural and linguistic competence
  Cultural and linguistic competence in schools ensures that diverse students and families feel welcome and connected. Teachers who engage in unbiased instruction and understand their students' backgrounds better meet their needs, leading to academic success and well-being.
• Relationships
  Positive relationships between students, teachers, and peers create a nurturing environment that supports academic achievement. Positive relationships are essential for both student success and job satisfaction.
• School Participation
  Participation encompasses students' involvement in academic and extracurricular activities, as well as parents' and staff's engagement in school decision-making. Strong connections between staff, students, and families contribute to a positive school climate and students' personal development.

Safety

Feeling safe in schools is vital for fostering a sense of belonging and academic achievement. Unsafe environments lead to adverse outcomes for students, teachers, and the community. The five essential areas to measure the safety domain in schools include: 

• Emotional Safety
  Emotional safety involves feeling secure expressing emotions and fostering mutual respect and trust within the school community. It contributes to well-being, reduces negative behaviors, and enhances school connectedness.
• Physical Safety
  Physical safety protects everyone from violence, ensuring they can focus on learning without fear. Safe environments positively impact academic performance and overall well-being.
• Bullying
  Bullying undermines safety and relationships in schools and can lead to negative outcomes for both victims and perpetrators. Preventing bullying is crucial for creating a positive school climate and supporting student well-being.
• Substance Abuse
  Substance abuse poses risks to physical and mental health, hindering academic success and contributing to various school-related problems. Preventing substance abuse is essential for maintaining a safe and supportive school environment.
• Emergency Readiness and Management
  Schools must be prepared to respond to crises effectively, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff. A positive school climate can help prevent emergencies and support effective crisis response and recovery.

Environment

A positive school environment includes well-maintained facilities, engaging classrooms, and supportive policies. Research has shown that the school environment significantly influences student and staff outcomes. In the EDSCLS, the environment domain consists of five topical areas, which are: 

• Physical Environment
  The physical environment of a school encompasses its buildings, facilities, and surroundings, influencing safety and comfort.
• Instructional Environment
  The instructional environment focuses on teaching quality, resources, and student engagement, affecting learning outcomes.
• Physical Health
  Physical health in schools refers to the well-being of students and staff, impacting attendance and academic performance.
• Mental Health
  Mental health in schools concerns students' emotional and social well-being, crucial for their engagement and contribution to a positive school culture.
• Discipline
  School discipline involves managing behavior through rules and strategies, aiming to foster a positive learning environment.

To learn more about the U.S. Department of Education School Climate Survey (EDSCLS) Template, please visit their home page at https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/edscls