A positive school climate is an atmosphere for learning, which enhances the personal satisfaction and results in optimum productivity of those who come to school to work and to learn together. A Principal Service Corps team of volunteers visits a school to assess the school climate in a systematic way. Task force groups of teachers, students, parents, community members, administrators, and non-certified staff use the results to identify ways for improving the existing climate.

The building principal and the school improvement team will follow the following sequential steps.

• Establish possible dates.
• Contact PSC Project Director to arrange the date and get necessary information.
• Announce the date and the procedures to those involved.
• Schedule groups for interviews.
• Develop a schedule for the day of the audit.
• Prepare to host audit team.
• Identify audience for exit report.
• Have the audit.
• Plan ways to use the narrative report (which will arrive within two weeks of the audit)

Travel reimbursement and materials determine the cost. Generally, the cost to the school is three hundred to six hundred dollars ($300-$600) depending upon the size of the school.

To request a climate audit or additional information,contact Charlie Scott at the IASP office, 317-576-5400 or 1-800-285-2188; e-mail: iasp-info@iasp.org.