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Secure Your Spot with the CSCI in Illinois for 2025

  • National School Climate Center

We are thrilled to announce that the Comprehensive School Climate Inventory (CSCI) was re-approved by the Illinois State Board of Education as an alternate school climate survey for Illinois school districts.  Don’t miss your chance to use this trusted tool to assess and improve school climate across your district!

Important Deadline: To secure the CSCI as your chosen survey tool, inquire with us by January 10, 2025.  Illinois school districts must submit the Letter of Intent (LOI) by January 14, 2025.   

Ready to learn more?
Join one of our upcoming free Q&A sessions specifically for Illinois districts. You’ll get answers to all your questions about the CSCI and how it can support your school climate goals:

For any questions, feel free to reach out to Amanda Weitzel, Director of Survey Operations, at aweitzel@schoolclimate.org. We’re here to help guide you through the CSCI process with tailored support and training.

Why Choose the CSCI?

  • Validated and Reliable: Has been used by over 2.5 million students, staff, and families.
  • Comprehensive: Covers 14 dimensions of school climate.
  • Inclusive: Features the unique Social Inclusion Scale, co-developed with Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, to measure social inclusion for students with disabilities.
  • Is an approved alternate survey in accordance with Section 2-3.153 of the Illinois School Code [105 ILCS 5]
  • Support: Personalized technical support and guidance every step of the way.

Take action today to help your district meet Illinois school climate goals!

 

About the CSCI in Illinois

We had the chance recently to share important information about the CSCI with ISBE representatives, and to update them on key changes since the CSCI was first launched in Illinois in 2014. 

The CSCI has been used in 24 Illinois school districts since 2014, and our team is ready to work with you on all Illinois requirements, including rostering and reporting.  

Below is more info on the CSCI as a school climate survey:

Why Schools Select the CSCI:

  • The National School Climate Center is a nonprofit organization founded in 1996, launching the widely-used National School Climate Standards in 2007;
  • The CSCI has been administered to 2.5 million students, staff & families in the US and globally since 2007, including across 24 districts in Illinois, reaching tens of thousands of students, staff, and families;
  • The CSCI is comprehensive, student-centered and covers 14 different dimensions of school climate based on decades of studies on school climate and school improvement:
  • We engage the entire school community: student, staff, and families;
  • Personalized Technical Support & Improvement Guidance: NSCC Staff to personally guide you through the CSCI process, along with tailored workshops, leadership training, and coaching based on your school/district CSCI data;
  • Social Inclusion Scale:  The CSCI is the only school climate tool with a scale to understand social inclusion of youth with disabilities, co-developed with Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools.

The CSCI is Valid and Reliable

The CSCI is Accessible to a Variety of Users

Reporting Dashboard

Survey Administration and Reporting Designed for Illinois Guidelines

We look forward to speaking with you at an upcoming info session.  Please contact us with any questions.

Take Your School Climate Improvement to the Next Level

Explore NSCC tools and guidance to help your school build safe, supportive, and thriving learning environments.

Solutions Hub
E Tsang, Director of Operations, National School Climate Center

E Tsang

Director of Operations

As the Director of Operations for NSCC, E Tsang helps make the finances, HR, and organizational functions of NSCC run smoothly.
Adam St. Bernard Jacobs(he/him), Co-Executive Director, National School Climate Center

Adam St. Bernard Jacobs (he/him)

Co-Executive Director

Adam is a peace educator and nonprofit leader. Adam was previously the organization’s Director of Development. Prior to joining NSCC, Adam was the co-founder and Executive Director of Kids Creative, an arts education organization in NYC. He was also a member of the team that founded a community elementary school in The Bronx. He has worked on issues of equity, anti-racism, arts education, and conflict resolution. He has written articles and led workshops in conflict resolution and the arts, giving talks and workshops at Columbia University, The Peace and Justice Studies Conference, Gettysburg College, and The University of Istanbul, among others. Adam has an undergraduate degree in International Politics, a Masters degree in Peace Education, and a Certificate in Senior Nonprofit Leadership, all from Columbia University, as well as an undergraduate degree in Rabbinic Law from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He was also Mr. Clown, a lead performer in the internationally acclaimed rock group for kids, The Dirty Sock Funtime Band, and was a regular on Nick Jr. and Chuck E Cheese TV. He is raising 2 fantastic children with his life partner, Tabitha.
Kori Hamilton Biagas, Director of Education, National School Climate Center

Kori Hamilton Biagas

Director of Education

Kori is an educator, connector, truth seeker, master facilitator, and the founder of Just Educators. Kori has nearly 20 years of experience in strategic planning, policy analysis and development, instruction, coaching, and technical assistance. As an Equity Specialist for the Region IV and Region IX equity assistance centers, Kori managed large-scale, racial equity driven school district transformation efforts, led district and state leaders through policy analysis, coached state leaders through school climate transformation initiatives, and provided equity-focused professional learning opportunities at all levels of education. Kori specializes in addressing and resolving inequitable policies, practices, and processes in organizations related to racial equity and social justice.
Christian Villenas, Ph.D, Co-Executive Director, National School Climate Center

Christian Villenas, Ph.D

Co-Executive Director

A sociologist by training and an applied education researcher by practice, Christian’s work examines how educational institutions shape opportunity, belonging, exclusion, and student experience. At NSCC, he helps guide the organization’s research, measurement, evaluation, partnerships, and strategic growth, with a focus on making evidence usable for schools, districts, and education partners. Before joining NSCC, Dr. Villenas held research and policy roles at GLSEN, Advocates for Children of New York, the New York City Charter School Center, the NAEP Education Statistics Services Institute, and the American Institutes for Research. Across more than two decades, his work has focused on school climate, social disparities in education, disability studies, LGBTQ student experiences, college access, education policy, program evaluation, and statistical analysis. He holds a BS from New York University, an MS from The New School, and a PhD in Sociology from Johns Hopkins University.
Amanda Weitzel, Director of School Partnerships, National School Climate Center

Amanda Weitzel

Director of School Partnerships

For over a decade at NSCC, Amanda has partnered with schools and districts across the country to support the implementation of school climate surveys and the strategic use of data to drive meaningful improvement. With a background in data analysis, customer success, and partner support, Amanda specializes in helping educators move beyond data collection to uncover actionable insights that strengthen school communities. Her work sits at the intersection of research, data, and practice, guiding school and district leaders in translating survey results into informed decisions that support student success, staff well-being, and positive learning environments. Amanda is passionate about empowering educators with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to create safe, supportive, and engaging schools where all students can thrive.
Samantha Elleman, Associate Director of Research, National School Climate Center

Samantha Elleman

Associate Director of Research

Samantha’s primary research topics span school climate, social inclusion, and school climate improvement. Prior to joining the National School Climate Center, Samantha worked as Assistant Teacher and Research Assistant at the Barnard Toddler Center. Her research interests include early childhood education, childhood trauma and protective factors, social-emotional education, and mental wellness in schools. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Barnard College and a Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University.