We Cultivate School Climate for Immigrant Peers to Belong: International Evidence From PISA 2018

• In Event: School Culture and Climate in International Settings

Abstract

This study investigates inclusive school climate for immigrants (ISCI), constructed by attitudes toward immigrants shared among students, and its association with immigrant students' sense of belonging at school. It also examines whether ISCI can be promoted by multicultural learning activities. Utilizing cross-national data from PISA 2018, we conducted single-level and multilevel mediational modeling with country-fixed effects. Our findings confirm that when immigrant students learn in an environment where students share inclusive attitudes toward immigrants and their rights, they are more likely to feel a sense of school belonging. We also found that ISCI can be developed through the inclusion of multicultural learning in teaching practices. This study extends our knowledge of school climate and immigrant students' belonging.

Authors

• Soobin Choi, The Education University of Hong Kong

• Xinyi Mao, University of Central Florida

• Seijoon Park, University of Missouri