Indiana State University Professor Steve Gruenert has spoken before many school boards and provided information on school corporation climate surveys. When Grunert spoke to the Hamilton Southeastern School Board on Wednesday evening he had some very good news.
“I’ve done a lot of research over the years and I’m in the company of what I believe to be the schools with the best, highest scores that I’ve ever worked with,” Dr. Gruenert said. “My challenge now is, how do you make the best better?”
The professor studied the school culture and climate of the HSE Schools in the final months of the 2016-2017 school year, including the impact of the climate on staff collaboration. Gruenert said the research shows a clear connection between a school’s culture and the level of student achievement – the better the culture, the better students will achieve.
The study was based on a survey of the school staff. A 30 percent return rate on those surveys is normal, which would provide enough data to compile a report. HSE Schools staff returned surveys at a rate of 70 to 80 percent.
The level of collaboration is so high that Dr. Gruenert recommends professional development should be done in-house.
“You seem to have a family here,” Dr. Gruenert told board members.
You can read the climate survey report submitted to the board at this link.