According to research sponsored by the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) and the National School Boards Association (NSBA), they include (1) feelings of safety among staff and
students; (2) supportive relationships within the school; (3) engagement and empowerment of
students as valued members and resources in the school community; (4) clear rules and
boundaries that are understood by all
students and staff; (5) high expectations for academic achievement and appropriate behavior; and (6) trust,
respect, and an ethos of caring (Bryant & Kelly, 2006; Elfstrom, Vanderzee, Cuellar, Sink, & Volz, 2006; Perkins, 2006).