Validation of a School Climate Walkthrough Assessment

School climate measurement is an increasingly important component of data-driven school improvement efforts. School climate assessment is enhanced by data triangulation, a process of analyzing school climate via subjective reports from students, staff, and families, observer ratings, and outcome data within the context of school-level variables. The present study involved the development of a school climate observation and student interview tool aligned with data triangulation methods. The School Climate Walkthrough Assessment (SCWA) is a measure for observing environmental indicators and behaviors alongside quantitative and qualitative student reports of school climate for a general snapshot of school quality. The SCWA was developed as a complement the Georgia Elementary School Climate Survey (GESCS), a component of the Georgia School Climate Survey which has been validated, translated, and adapted for use across international settings. Validity evidence for the SCWA is discussed with a focus on practical utility of the SCWA.