A Latent Class Analysis of Perceived School Climate Among Middle and High School Students: Findings From the California Healthy Kids Survey

• In Event: 70.026 - School Belonging, School Connection, and School Climate

Abstract

Recent educational research has posited that school climate is comprised of multiple dimensions—caring relationships, school connectedness and safety. Researchers and policy makers now have knowledge to develop reliable measures of school climate. However, most studies have assumed an additive effect of perceived school climate. Using LCA, this study uncovers the heterogenous patterns of school climate perceptions among secondary students across California public schools. The results of this study directly inform school climate interventions, reform, and policy.

Authors

• Kris M. De Pedro, Chapman University

• Tamika Gilreath, University of Southern California

• Ruth Berkowitz, University of Southern California