Topic And Purpose of The Study
The topic of this study is teachers' perceptions of student-culture within school sites. To enhance the current evaluation of schools, and to support the establishment of student-culture that promotes positive student learning outcomes, this study seeks to examine the current perceptions of teachers at three school-sites within the metro-Los Angeles city area.
Research Problem
Teachers are often asked to evaluate student work and quality of understanding. Teachers are seldom asked to rate their perception of student-culture.
Research Question and Data Collection Instruments
The central research question of this study is what are teachers' perceptions of student-culture at three charter-public high school sites within the metro-Los Angeles area?
Data collected in this study will be gathered by administering a modified version of School Climate Quality Analytic Assessment Instrument (SCLQAAI) survey's domain three questions. The modifications made were the selection of seven questions and rewriting them to allow for indicators to be selected by "strength" of teacher agreement with closed-statements.
Definitions of Terms
Perception
An individual's sense of their surrounding based on direct observation.
School Climate
The atmosphere created by the interactions between students.
Student-Culture
The set of beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, expressions, and dispositions shared by a set or subset of students
Charter-Public High School
A tuition-free high school formed by a charter granted by a governing agency allowing the school to be managed indepently from the district-school board while still requiring the school to be accountable to all applicable educational law.
Safe Zone
Community of people who will be understanding, supportive, and trustworthy someone seeks help, advice, or just someone to talk to. \cite{nokey_baeb4}
Variables
Perception of Communal Identity and Belonging
Teachers' belief that students identify as a larger commuinty and are members of that community.
Perception of Peer Relations
Teachers' belief that the general student population and student sub-groups positively-integrate.
Perception of Tolerance-Based Language
Teachers' belief that students' word-choice, language, and communication demonstrate respect towards peers.
Perception of School as Safe Zone
Teachers' belief that the students view the school as a SafeZone.
Perception of Student Leadership
Teachers' belief that students can influence their peers and be accepted by their peers while leading.
Perception of Student-Agency/Ownership
Teachers' belief that students engage in opportunities to make decisions, voice their opinions, and advocate for school-change.
Perception of Student Academic Engagement
Teachers' belief that students are self-accountable learner and hold all teachers to the same expectations.