Published: April 1, 2017
First Appeared In NEA Today Summer 2017
Key Takeaways
- Schools should create a welcoming climate for the communities they serve.
- Students should have access to the courses and resources they need to follow their interests, talents, and dreams.
- Students deserve safe spaces in which to learn - throughout the school building.
Does your school have the tools and programs that can reach, encourage, and inspire students—resources like counselors, libraries, world languages, playgrounds, band, art, science labs, and clean, safe classrooms?
Here are just a few of the important items a school needs to nurture our future leaders.
Access and Warmth
Schools should be open to the communities they serve. This means:
- A welcoming front office, and
- Materials available in the languages spoken by the school's students and parents.
A Future-Focused Curriculum
Every student must have access to the courses they need to plan a bright future. These include:
- Fine arts classes, and
- Career and technical education opportunities.
Welcoming Climate
Students must feel safe and respected— in their classrooms and throughout their school. A school with a good climate:
- Celebrates and welcomes diversity, and
- Utilizes early-warning systems to keep students on track academically, socially, and emotionally.
For a full checklist, visit <b>myschoolmyvoice.nea.org.
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