When the school environment is right

When the school environment is right, students get it right and can overcome distractors no matter how powerful. In their 1996 World Bank report titled, ‘School Count’, Heneveld Ward and Craig Helen spelt out in clear, unadorned and unambiguous terms the characteristic features of effective schools.

The report places a high premium on the school climate as a leading and prominent contributor to school effectiveness. In particular, Ward and Craig highlight the power of positive teacher attitudes. In their view the attitude of teachers determine the altitude of the students.