Developing Measures of Effective Learning Environments from the New York City School Surveys

The current culture of data focuses on achievement but other aspects of school quality are equally interesting and informative. Since 2007, parents, students, and teachers from over 1600 NYC schools have shared their perceptions about their schools in the annual School Survey. The primary goal of this study is to develop valid and reliable Critical Learning Environment Factors using existing NYC School Survey data and the Consortium for Chicago Schools Research's five essential supports framework. By reconceptualizing NYC School Survey items according to this framework to form Critical Learning Environment Factors, we gain constructs that are both specific to NYC schools and similar to the essential supports, which empirical research shows are associated with achievement trajectories in Chicago schools.

This study is funded with Research Alliance general support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Robertson Foundation.

Key Staff

Lori Nathanson, James Kemple, Jessica Lent, Thomas Gold, Janet Brand

Publications

Working paper in progress.