The Racial School-Climate Gap

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 9:00 am
  In Roundtable Session: Innovations in K–12 School Community, Climate, and Culture: Considerations for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Table 14)

Abstract

School climate has garnered increased attention among researchers and policymakers when addressing racial gaps at schools. Research claimed that school climate has significant impacts on students' academic achievement. Understanding how differently students of different races experience various aspects of school climate may help explain racial gaps in academic achievement. This study analyzes whether the racial gaps on school climate declined or increased as students moving up school levels, identifies climate areas that show gaps favoring white student groups against minority groups or vice versa, and explores ways for improving African American students’ perceptions and experiences on school climates.

Author

• Mei-Hui Wang, Anne Arundel County Public Schools