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Conceptualizing and Measuring Safe and Supportive Schools

NCJ Number
305387
Journal
Contemporary School Psychology Volume: 24 Dated: August 2020 Pages: 327-336
Author(s)
Jenna Howard Terrell; Christopher C. Henrich ; Amanda Nabors ; Kathryn Grogan ; Joseph McCrary
Date Published
August 2020
Length
10 pages
Annotation

This paper describes how a partnership between a large, urban school district and researchers resulted in a process to measure school climate and support schools and the district in school safety efforts.

Abstract

The partnership utilized a comprehensive framework of safe and supportive schools, where constructs such as physical safety and security were included along with connectedness of staff and students, emotional safety, physical environment, engagement, and norms and policies. Researchers then developed a process for measuring these constructs using existing, school-level data collected by the state and the district and communicating the results to district and school staff. This paper aims to describe the method of identifying and utilizing school-level data, the authors’ development of a standardized measurement model, and the authors’ processes to communicate and consult with the district and schools on using a data-driven process to improve school safety. (Publisher abstract provided)