The Conditions For Learning survey (CFL) is an important component of your school’s academic achievement planning because it helps you monitor your students’ opinions about the Humanware (Social Emotional Learning) of your school. The survey assesses four core constructs within elementary, middle and high schools: (1) A safe and respectful climate; (2) Challenge/high expectations; (3) Student support; and (4) Social and emotional learning. The survey gathers student voice regarding their school’s climate, perceived levels of student support, and levels of challenge and perceptions about your students’ social and emotional learning awareness.

Our district has made a conscious decision to pay attention to and address the social and emotional competencies of our students. As a part of the Cleveland Plan, social and emotional learning strategies, curriculums and routines have been built into our strategic plan.  It is more important than ever that our schools and communities respond to how our students feel about the conditions for learning in our  schools.

Research tells us that there is a strong relationship between embedding social and emotional learning core competencies and academic achievement. The competencies of self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship building and responsible decision-making are skills that can be used throughout our students’ lives.

The research briefs were produced by the Cleveland Alliance for School Climate Research with support from the U.S. Department of Education, Institute for Education Sciences grant. The Cleveland Alliance for School Climate Research is a research partnership between the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the Center for Urban Education at Cleveland State University, and the American Institutes for Research.