School climate is an overarching term used to describe students’ and educators’ experience in a school. According to the US Department of Education (USED), a positive school culture fosters safety, promotes a positive academic and physical environment, and encourages trusting and caring relationships between adults and students. Positive school culture is related to higher rates of attendance, graduation, and achievement. At the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), we believe that in order for students to learn, both adults and students must feel safe and cared for.
OSSE’s 2023-25 strategic plan, prioritizes student and staff wellbeing, supporting the physical, mental, and social and emotional health of students and staff by promoting safe, welcoming, healthy, and joyful learning environments. The School Culture and Climate team offers trainings, resources, and technical assistance in the following focus areas: social and emotional learning, restorative justice, and trauma-informed practices. These training courses are for classroom teachers, deans, support providers, administrators, and those who are dedicated to improving school climate. Choose an icon below to learn more about our focus areas and sign up for upcoming trainings.
Social and Emotional Learning
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) plays a crucial role in fostering positive relationships and emotional connections in the learning process, benefiting both students and educators in the school community. The DC-specific K-Adult Social-Emotional Learning Standards are firmly based on the esteemed Collaboration for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) CASEL 5 Framework, and center around the five essential components and skill areas of: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Relationship Skills, Decision-Making & Agency, and Social & Cultural Awareness. These skills are essential and should be integrated into instructional and school-wide practices and policies to ensure every child's success in developing healthy relationships, productive work habits, and community-conscious action.
Through SEL, students and adults acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and ability to:
- Recognize and manage their emotions;
- Demonstrate caring and concern for others;
- Establish positive relationships;
- Make responsible decisions; and
- Handle challenging situations constructively.
Restorative Justice
Restorative justice is a philosophy and set of supporting practices that center a community on equitable and inclusive relationships of trust, understanding, and collaboration. These practices are trauma-informed and provide opportunities for SEL.
Since 2015, OSSE has partnered with SchoolTalk’s RestorativeDC to provide technical assistance, coaching, and training services to individuals and schools. These services respond to schools’ unique contexts, priorities, and needs. RestorativeDC’s services focus on enhancing the organizational capacity of schools and supporting organizations and growing the individual capacity of youth-serving professionals.
RestorativeDC offers ongoing professional development and planning opportunities to help DC educators with restorative practices. Sessions are conducted in person and coaching sessions offered virtually.
OSSE's Restorative Justice Website
Trauma-Informed Practices
A trauma-informed approach uses an organizational structure and treatment framework that involves understanding, respecting, and appropriately responding to the effects of trauma at all levels. Trauma-informed practices emphasize physical, psychological, and emotional safety for student and educators while promoting an environment of healing and recovery rather than practices that may inadvertently re-traumatize. A trauma-informed school realizes the widespread impact of trauma and proactively integrates knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices. The prevalence of trauma and confirmed connection between healthy social emotional development and academic success requires schools to focus on school-wide implementation of trauma-informed approaches.
To view and register for upcoming School Climate and Culture trainings, please visit OSSE’s Learning Management System.
OSSE School Climate Enhancement Microgrant
OSSE, in partnership with Ed Forward DC, is providing select 2023-24 OSSE School Climate and Culture Advisory Cohort members with microgrants to build the capacity of their school community to understand, utilize, and respond to the results from the school culture and climate spring 2024 Panorama survey administration.
Visit the OSSE School Climate Enhancement Microgrant webpage to learn more about the microgrant and view the list of awardees. Note, in spring 2025, OSSE will release a comprehensive citywide learning brief based on insights gained from these microgrant projects.
Additional Resource: Statewide School Climate Surveys
Contact Information
Jessica Dulay
School Climate Specialist
Division of Teaching and Learning
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Government of the District of Columbia
1050 First St NE, Fifth Floor
Washington, DC 20002
[email protected]