School Matters: The Contribution of Positive School Climate to Equal Educational Opportunities Among Minority Students

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: School Climate Experiences of Marginalized Student Groups

Abstract

This study carefully examined the role of school climate and its subcomponents as they pertain to mathematics test scores in a nationally representative sample of ethnic minority Arabic-language students in Israel (N = 21,873). Three alternative models were tested: school climate compensation, mediation or moderation effects on the association among student and school levels SES background and academic achievements. Positive school climate was predominantly influential in schools with students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Narrower achievement gaps among students with different personal SES backgrounds were achieved in schools characterized by positive climates. Results suggest improving school climate can increase students’ academic opportunities and offer special benefits for students from underprivileged backgrounds.

Author

• Ruth Berkowitz, University of Haifa