Development of a School Survey and Index as a School Performance Measure in Maryland

Summary

Fueled by evidence on the strong relationships between school climate and academic achievement, teacher satisfaction, health outcomes, and social-emotional skills, states and districts are increasingly trying to measure school climate. School climate encompasses both tangible and intangible attributes, including relationships among students and staff, school discipline, student engagement, and safety. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) partnered with Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Mid-Atlantic to co-develop, validate, and benchmark a school climate index based upon the Maryland School Survey.