School Climate and Culture
An enduring positive school climate and culture are essential conditions for fostering learning and positive youth development that results in productive and fulfilling lives. The NJDOE supports school efforts to assess, develop and maintain positive school climates and cultures and other conditions that affect student learning and growth.
NJ School Climate Improvement (NJ SCI) Platform
The Department encourages schools interested in utilizing a school climate survey to consider using the no-cost , which features a new and enhanced, comprehensive instrument developed in collaboration with the School Climate Transformation Project at Rutgers University. The NJ SCI Survey replaced the New Jersey School Climate Survey (NJSCS) and was developed with the specific needs of New Jersey schools in mind. It is designed to help schools to understand school climate needs and strengths from the perspectives of students, families, and staff, but will also provide insight into a school community’s relationships, safety, sense of connectedness, teaching and learning, and measures of an equitable and supportive learning environment, including supports for social and emotional learning. Schools electing to use the NJ SCI Survey will also have access to an online platform managed by Rutgers University that will facilitate data collection and analysis, strategic planning, and progress monitoring.
The survey and associated communication tools are available in multiple languages for students and parents and caregivers. The NJ SCI Survey development process included an expansive input process, involving representatives from educational organizations that support schools and districts to ensure the survey meets the current and emerging needs of K–12 schools in the state.
Visit to submit an interest form for your school district and receive more information.
Statutes
requires the school safety team in each school in the district "… to develop, foster, and maintain a positive school climate by focusing on the on-going, systemic process and practices in the school and to address school climate issues …" and to "review and strengthen school climate and the policies of the school…")
Guidance for School Districts to Support LGBTQIA+ Youth
State statute (N.J.S.A. 18A:36-41) directs the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education to establish guidelines to provide direction for schools in addressing common issues concerning the needs of transgender students, and to assist schools in establishing policies and procedures that ensure a supportive and nondiscriminatory environment for transgender students.
School Climate Resources to Support LGBTQIA+ Youth
- , including an (CDC, Adolescent and School Health).
- (CDC, Adolescent and School Health).
- produces a report on the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in schools.
- Learning for Justice offers
- is a school-based school climate intervention for LGBTQ+ youth.
- NJ's allows users to search for information for transgender and non-binary individuals.
- Bradshaw, C., Koth., Thornton, L., and Leaf, P. (2009). Prevention Science, 10(2), 100–115.
- Meraviglia, M.G., Becker, H., Rosenbluth, B., Sanchez, E., and Robertson, T. (2003). Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 18(11), 1347–1360.
- Durlak, J.A., Weissberg, R.P., Dymnicki, A.B., Taylor, R.D., and Schellinger, K.B. (2011). Child Development. 82(1), 405–432.
- Wilson, D. (2004). Journal of School Health, 74(7), 293-299.
- .
- Bryk, A.S., Sebring, P.B. Allensworth, E., Luppesco, S., and Easton, J.Q. (2010). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Finnan, C., Schnepel, K., and Anederson, L. (2003). Journal of Education for Students Placed At Risk, 8(4), 391-418.
- Gregory, S., Henry, D.B., and Schoeny, M.E. (2007). American Journal of Community Psychology, 40(3), 250-260.
- Grayson, J.L. and Alvarez, H.K. (2008). Teaching and Teacher Education, 24(5): 1349–1363.
- Thapa, A., Cohen., J., Higgins-D'Alessandro, A., and Guffey, S. (2012). School Climate Brief, No. 3. National School Climate Center, New York, NY.
- Elias, M.J. and Haynes, N.M. (2008). School Psychology Quarterly, 23(4), 474–495.
- .
- Felner, R.D., Favazza, A., Shim, M. Brand, S., Gu, K., and Noonan, N. (2001). Journal of School Psychology, 39, 177–202.
- Whitlock, J.L. (2006). Applied Developmental Science, 10(1), 13–29.
- 2023-2024 School Climate State Coordinator Annual Report
- 2022-2023 School Climate State Coordinator Annual Report
