School climate as a predictor of secondary school students' school attachment

Abstract

Purpose: The present research is conducted to identify whether or not school climate is predictive of secondary school students' attachment to school. Research Methods: In the research, a quantitative research model, namely relational survery model, was preferred. The research population consists of secondary school students attending public secondary schools under the National Education Directorate of Pendik District in 2018 year. The research sample was identified by stratified sampling method. In the sampling, the schools were divided into upper, secondary and lower groups. One school was selected for each by random sampling method. From the secondary schools identified, 773 secondary school students including 370 female and 403 male students participated in the research. Research data was collected using an Information Form, the School Attachment Scale and School Climate Scale. Data was analyzed by anova, t-test, correlation and regression tests. Findings: According to the analysis results, the perception of secondary school students of school climate and their school attachment level varied significantly based on their sex and grade level. A positive and medium level relationship was identified between the school climate and secondary school students' attachment to school, teachers and friends. Implications for Research and Practice: The results of the study provided that the school climate was significantly predictive of secondary school students' level of attachment to school, friends and teachers. Based on these results, the characteristics of a positive school climate as perceived by students may be researched and a positive school climate can be created with the cooperation of individuals comprising the school society to improve the students' level of attachment to school.