School Climate in Middle School: What Are Students Telling Us About Their Experience in Schools?

• In Event: Roundtable Session 41
  In Roundtable Session: The Social Emotional Climate in Schools

Abstract

School climate is recognized as a main factor influencing students’ well-being, engagement and academic performance (Osher & Kendziora, 2010). Middle school appears to be a specially challenging period, where school climate issues worsen (Hanson & Voight, 2014) This study is focused on identifying the things that matter to middle school students through the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative student feedback on school climate and their experience in school, in order to better design SEL programs in middle school. Initial findings suggest the need to involve students in strategic planning and program development, as well as to create the organizational and relational structures that allow for meaningful relationships between students and teachers.

Authors

• Lorea Martinez, Lorea Martinez, SEL Consulting

• Susan Stillman, Six Seconds, Emotional Intelligence Network, Fielding Graduate University

• Tommaso Procicchiani, Six Seconds

• Ilaria Boffa