Examining the Importance of Students’ Sense of Belonging in School

• In Event: Student Voice as the Instrument of Change: When Student Needs Drive Decision Making

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sense of belonging of students in school in relation to individual characteristics (i.e., gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status) and academic achievement (as measured by grade point average). Data from the Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) was used to evaluate the sense of belonging of 6th grade students (N = 143,999) from three survey administration years (2004, 2007, and 2010). Preliminary results confirmed the association of the degree of school sense of belonging with academic achievement, highlighting significant differences for gender, ethnicity, school location, and status as a member of the majority ethnic group within a school.

Authors

• Stacy R. Karl, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

• Julio C. Cabrera, University of Minnesota

• Michael C. Rodriguez, University of Minnesota