Characteristics of a Good School Environment and its Importance.

1. A Clear and Shared focus

Everybody knows where they are going and why. The focus is on achieving a
shared vision, and all understand their role in achieving the vision. The focus
and vision are developed from common beliefs and values creating a consistent
direction for all involved.

O sa madaling salita ay iisa ang focus at nagkakaisa ang lahat sa isang school
environment na kung saan ay pare-pareho ang kanilang ini-aim at yun ay
ang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng school at ng sinumang nasasakupan nito.
Second characteristics of a good school environment is it has a High
Standard and High Expectation for all students.

2. High Standards and Expectations for all students

Teachers and staff believe that all students can learn and meet high standards.
While recognizing that some students must overcome significant barriers, these
obstacles are not seen as impossible to achieve. Students are offered an
ambitious and rigorous course of study.

So, bakit nga ba may mga school na mataas ang standards at expectations sa ating mga studyante
especially sa mga higher sections? Dahil naniniwala sila na Students who experience high expectations
have improved learning outcomes and are also more likely to have increased interest and motivation
in lessons, greater attendance, more positive school behaviours, and a higher likelihood of completing
school. Aside from that, Higher academic expectations are linked to both student engagement and
wellbeing and can also impact the teaching practices that students experience in the classroom. Also,
teachers promote high expectations of their students when they differentiate instruction, provide
individualized feedback and engage in frequent, meaningful classroom interactions in order to
challenge their students and encourage continuous improvement. And lastly, schools demonstrate
their high expectations of students by using data to inform practices, building a culture of school pride
and partnering with the community to indicate pathways for students’ success.

3. Effective School Leadership

Effective instructional and administrative leadership is required to implement

change processes. Effective leaders are proactive and seek help that is needed.
They nurture an instructional program and school culture to learning and
professional growth. Effective leaders have different styles and roles – teachers
and other staff often have a leadership role.

We all know naman na l eadership is a vital management function that helps to direct
an organization's or environment’s resources for improved efficiency and the achievement
of goals. Also, effective leaders provide clarity of purpose, motivate and guide the
organization to realize its mission. Regardless of your position, understanding the role of
leaders can help you contribute more meaningfully to the accomplishment of your
company's objectives. So, mahalaga talaga na sa isang environment, organization o kahit
anong group ay mayroong leader na maaasahan at mapagkakatiwalaan.

4. High Levels of Collaboration and Communication

There is a strong teamwork among all staff across all grades and subject areas.
Everybody is involved and connected to each other; including parents and
members of the community, to identify problems and work on solutions.

Sabi nga nila “Communication allows relationships to function, and the functioning of
those relationships allows collaboration to not only occur but to be productive.” So, bakit
nga ba sobrang halaga ng collaboration at communication at ano ba yung naitutulong nito
hindi lamang sa mga school’s kundi pati sa mga studyante at guro? Teacher collaboration
positively impacts student achievement, and allows us as educators to explore new
territory. Aside from that. Base on the article I’ve read, effective collaboration is essential
for the success of students, teachers, and the school as a whole also engagement with
teachers and stakeholders can improve ideas and outcomes from the collaborative team.
And effective communicative collaboration is key to student and school success.

5. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessments aligned to the State Standards

The planned and actual curricula are aligned with the essential academic learning
requirements. Research-based teaching strategies and materials are used. Staffs
understand the role of classroom and state assessments, what the assessment
measures, and how student work is evaluated.

So, why Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessments should be aligned? I t is

important to ensure that these three components of your course are aligned. In
order to align various components of the course module, we must clearly define
alignment itself. Alignment is when there is consistency across the program with
precise connections between evaluations, course goals and learning tasks. It is
important to align learning objectives with instructional strategies and
assessments to ensure that everyone involved is aware of the expectations. Both
instructors and students should have a consistent understanding of what is
going to be taught and how it will be evaluated to avoid any problems.

6. Frequent Monitoring of Learning and Teaching

A steady cycle of different assessments identifies students who need help. More
support and instructional time are provided, either during the school day or
outside normal school hours, to students who need more help. Teaching is
adjusted based or frequent monitoring of student progress and n eeds. Assessment
results are used to focus and improve instructional programs.
Alam ko na naintindihan nyo na ito base on definition pero gusto ko lang
dagdagan kung bakit ba ito iniimplement. So, what’s basically is the main
purpose of this? The main purpose of the monitoring of learning and teaching is to
collect information that will inform and facilitate improvement in classroom practice. It is
essential that the information is recorded in an agreed, consistent manner which will allow
the results from different experiences to be sensibly collated. Also, research has
demonstrated that when teachers use student progress monitoring, students learn more,
teacher decision-making improves, and students become more aware of their own
performance.

7. Focused Professional Development

A strong emphasis is placed on training staff in areas of most need. Feedback

from learning and teaching focuses extensive and ongoing professional
development. The support is also aligned with the school or district vision and
objectives.

So as future educators, why is it important to have ongoing professional

development? Because they said that actively pursuing professional
development ensures that knowledge and skills stay relevant and up-to-date. It also allows
employees to be more aware of changing trends and directions in an industry. Employees
will also become better workers through professional development. By learning the right
skills for their career, employees will be more productive and efficient, thus helping the
business for which they work succeed. Finally, professional development can open the
doors to new opportunities for employees. Kung kaya mahalaga nakahit tayo ay mga
professional mahalaga padin na wag nating isara ang ating isipan sa marami pang bagay.

8. Supportive Learning Environment

The school has a safe, civil, healthy, and intellectually stimulating learning
environment. Students feel respected and connected with the staff and are
engaged in learning. Instruction is personalized and small learning environments
increase students contact with teachers.

I totally agree with this, that when students feel respected and connected with the staff they’ll be
more engaged in learning and in addition to that students often describe supportive learning
environments as expanding their sense of family and enhancing their self-esteem, which, when
combined with increased literacy skills, help students take more chances in pursuing their goals. So, as
future teachers or instructors mahalaga na maging connected tayo sa mga studyante natin hindi lang
academically kundi pati personally. The last characteristics of a good school environment is having a
High Level of Family and Community Involvement.

9. High Level of Family and Community Involvement

There is a sense that all has a responsibility to educate students, not just teachers
and staffs in schools. Families, as well as businesses, social service agencies,
and community colleges and universities all play a vital role in this effort.

So, totoo po yon na family and community involvement may contribute to the quality of schools'
guidance programs and students' attitudes and behavior. Aside from that, school guidance and support
services are stronger and serve students better if educators, students, and families are well connected.
So, mahalaga talaga na sa isang school ay connected kayong lahat sa isat isa at may communication at
cooperation dahil yun yung magiging dahilan para mas maimproved hindi lamang ang school kundi pati
ang mga studyante.