The State of School Climate Studies: The Context of the Americas

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Research on school climate has become increasingly popular internationally. One reason for this is the insight offered on antecedents, correlates, and outcomes of school climate. Important variables in a theory of action for school climate include teacher-pupil relationships, school connectedness, and school violence. Given the need for such research within the context of the Americas, these papers represent researchers from within the Americas who have collaborated to initiate school climate studies as part of the thrust towards improving schools. Given their varied experiences they bring a multi-cultural research perspective. This symposium assesses this body of work, considers its importance and possible impact for wider application across the Americas while analyzing the weaknesses and limitations of current approaches and measures.

Sub Unit

• Americas Education Research Network

Chair

• Sylvia Maureen Henry, University of the West Indies

Papers

• Making the Case for School Climate Instruments as Quality Indicators of Education Progress and Reform - Anica G. Bowe, Oakland University

• Select Findings from School Climate Country Studies within the Region - Kenneth A. Williams, SIT Graduate Institute; Jerome De Lisle, University of the West Indies; Natalie Suepaul, University of the West Indies; Vishal Ramjattan, University of the West Indies; Nadia Laptiste-Francis, The University of the West Indies - St. Augustine; Anica G. Bowe, Oakland University

• The Future of School Climate Studies in the Caribbean with Significance for the Americas: Questions of Construct, Measurement, and Methods - Rinnelle Lee-Piggott, University of the West Indies; Jerome De Lisle, University of the West Indies; Kenneth A. Williams, SIT Graduate Institute

Discussant

• Sylvia Maureen Henry, University of the West Indies