Flourishing at School: A Positive Psychology Approach to School Improvement

• In Event: 65.068 - Results of School Improvement Studies Focused on the Relationship Between Instructional Improvement and School Context

Abstract

In this study, we evaluate a school improvement program that used an action learning methodology and principles from positive psychology to improve staff, student and parent outcomes. Staff, student and parent outcomes were assessed through two waves of survey data and school enrolment data obtained from 303 control schools and one program school over a two-year period. Structural equation analyses showed that organizational climate underpinned the quality of teaching in schools which, in turn, predicted a range of socio-emotional outcomes for students. Overall, the results showed that staff wellbeing, students' socio-emotional outcomes, and school enrolments can be improved through action learning strategies focused on improving the organizational climate of schools.

Authors

• Clare Scollay, Insight SRC

• Peter Hart, Deakin University

• Mark Brockhus