The Effects of Students' Sense of Belonging at School on Low-Income Youths' School Attendance and Behavioral Conduct

• In Event: 66.073 - Bullying and School Violence Prevention: Scholarly Discourse on School Safety

Abstract

Gaps exist in achievement between advantaged and disadvantaged students (USDOE, 2001). It is important to explore, particularly within the most disadvantaged schools, what factors influence student outcomes. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of students’ sense of community belonging at school on their commitment to school and classroom behavior. A longitudinal investigation of school outcomes in relation to school belonging during adolescence in an at risk population was conducted. School belonging was found to significantly increase school attendance for this population, but had no effect on the behavioral conduct. Implications of the significance of a student’s sense of belonging in the school context for administrators, teachers, and researchers are also discussed.

Authors

• Sara E. Tomek, The University of Alabama

• Anneliese C Bolland, The University of Alabama

• John Bolland, The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa

• Shannon Hitchcock, University of Alabama