An Examination of Classes of School Climate Perceptions Among Latinx Middle School Students

• In Event: 64.079 - Racial, Ethnic, and Class Dimensions of School Climate

Abstract

Several studies have replicated the finding that Latinx students tend to have less favorable perceptions of school climate than their White peers. Because most research compares Latinx students to other racial/ethnic groups, however, little is known about variation within the Latinx group. Using latent class analysis, the present study addresses this by identifying meaningful classes of school climate perceptions within a large sample of Latinx students attending the 7th grade in California. Five classes are identified (High/Positive; Positive/Low Meaningful; Low/Negative; Mixed/Connected, Safe; Mixed/Positive Relationship), thereby supporting the hypothesis that substantial heterogeneity of school climate perceptions exists within the Latinx student population. Latent class regression is used to examine key covariates and outcomes. Implications for intervention are discussed.

Authors

• Lisa S. Romero, California State University - Sacramento

• Meagan O'Malley, California State University, Sacramento