ERIC Number: EJ1349285
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1881
EISSN: EISSN-1469-5847
Available Date: N/A
Reconstructing the Concept of School Climate
Educational Research, v64 n2 p159-175 2022
Background: School climates have broad-ranging implications for students' success and well-being, with research suggesting that a positive school environment plays a crucial role. However, more needs to be understood about school climate from students' points of view. Purpose: This study sought to explore what constitutes school climate from students' perspectives. Method: In this qualitative study, 22 grade 8 to 11 students (ages 13-18) from a secondary school in Canada participated in semi-structured focus group discussions (6 to 8 students per group). The students described their perceptions of school climate from their own perspectives. Later in the session, the students were introduced to ten school climate dimensions identified in a previous study and asked whether they would remove any dimensions or add new ones. Data were transcribed and analysed in depth, using thematic coding. Findings: The analysis yielded fifteen main dimensions, of which seven represented those identified in the previous study. The remaining eight dimensions emphasised the uniqueness of students' experiences and the facets that they value in school climate. These included the availability of school resources, leadership, teacher professionalism, student-teacher relationships, a sense of order, and support. Conclusions: Understanding school climate plays a critical role in efforts to foster a positive school environment for students. Our study highlights the need for multi-reporter methodologies to fully comprehend the complexity of school climate, thereby helping to inform policies and professional development practices that aim to improve school climates.
Descriptors: Educational Change, Educational Environment, Student Attitudes, Secondary School Students, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A