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. 2021 May;58(5):893-912.
doi: 10.1002/pits.22477. Epub 2021 Jan 15.

A Multilevel Model of the Association Between School Climate and Racial Differences in Academic Outcomes

Tiffany M Jones  1 , Charles Fleming  2 ; Research and Evaluation Team
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A Multilevel Model of the Association Between School Climate and Racial Differences in Academic Outcomes

Tiffany M Jones et al. Psychol Sch. 2021 May.

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between school-level school climate and race differences in student grades, accounting for school sociodemographic composition. We found that schools with more positive school climates had smaller race differences in student self-reported grades. The moderating effect of school climate remained after accounting for the sociodemographic composition of the school and students' own perceptions of climate at their school. This moderating effect was confounded by school grade band (i.e., elementary, middle, or high) since perception of positive school climate was lower in middle and high schools than in elementary schools. Despite the difficulty of disentangling school climate from grade band, the findings suggest school improvement strategies focused on school climate may promote racial equity in academic outcomes. School practitioners' efforts to improve the school climate may also contribute to racial equity in academics.

Keywords: School climate; achievement gap; racial equity; sociodemographic composition.

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Conflict of interest statement

We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Histograms Representing Variation in the Association of Race with Grades Across Schools in Standard Deviation Units
Figure 2
Figure 2. Model Estimates of the Magnitude of Race Differences in Grades by School Climate
Note: Lowest school climate on the left and highest school climate on the right, in standard deviation units. The slope is significant for all racial groups, the intercept is significant for all groups except Asian students. ES=Elementary School (pink), MS=Middle School (Blue), HS=High School (Green), K8=K8 School (Black).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Model Estimates of the Magnitude of Race Differences in Grades by School Poverty
Note: Highest school poverty on the left to lowest school poverty on the right, in standard deviation units. The intercept is significant for all groups except Asian students, the slope is significant for all groups except Asian and Black students. ES=Elementary School (pink), MS=Middle School (Blue), HS=High School (Green), K8=K8 School (Black).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Distribution of Climate Scores Across Schools in Original Scale Units
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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