The survey results shocked the staff at Herbert Hoover High School in Fresno, California. Only a third of their students believed they could master the toughest topics in their classes. Less than half responded positively to the question, "I feel like I'm part of this school." Parents felt Hoover was far safer than teachers did.
Fresno educators had no doubt that these problems were contributing to the school's troubling academic performance. But they had no easy answers for turning around the school climate or improving their students' sense of self.
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