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A multilevel analysis of student perceptions of school climate: The effect of social and academic risk factors
Author(s) -
Fan Weihua,
Williams Cathy M.,
Corkin Danya Marie
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
psychology in the schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1520-6807
pISSN - 0033-3085
DOI - 10.1002/pits.20579
Subject(s) - clarity , psychology , multilevel model , school climate , ethnic group , perception , academic achievement , multilevel modelling , grade level , sample (material) , social psychology , developmental psychology , mathematics education , sociology , biochemistry , chemistry , chromatography , machine learning , neuroscience , computer science , anthropology
This multilevel study examines the extent to which individual‐ and school‐level variables are predictive of three aspects of students' perceived school climate (order, safety, and discipline; fairness and clarity of school rules; and teacher‐student relationship) by using a nationally representative sample. A wide range of social and academic risk factors at the individual level are examined. The results show that individual‐level predictors, such as having behavior problems at school, being held back a grade, coming from a single‐parent family, parents' education level, gender, and ethnicity (e.g., Hispanic and Asian), play a significant role in student perceptions of school climate. The results suggest that these relationships between the individual‐level predictors and students' perceived school climate are fairly robust across schools. School‐level variables, such as attending a private or a Catholic school, are also significant predictors of students' perceived climate. Furthermore, the study reveals significant interaction effects among the predictors and provides more accurate interpretations of the findings. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.