Trends in the Perception of
School Climate and Community
Satisfaction in Areas Receiving
Hispanic migration in Missouri
during the past 15 years
Keith Jamtgaard, OSEDA
Pedro Dozi, Agricultural Economics
Hispanic Students by Location, DESE
Coredata
Pct Hispanic
3
2.5
2
Non-Metro
Metro
1.5
1
0.5
0
1 93 95 97 99 01 03 05
9
19 19 19 19 19 20 20 20
Year
Changes in Hispanic Enrollment, DESE
Coredata
100%
80%
Non-Metro
Metro
60%
40%
20%
Year
2005
2003
2001
1999
1997
1995
1993
1991
0%
Missouri Dept. of Elementary &
Secondary Education (DESE),
Missouri School Improvement
Program (MSIP)
 Advance Questionnaire: Students, Parents,
Faculty.
 Part of district review, every five years since
1990-1991 school year.
 14 receiving districts identified
 14 districts selected as comparison group, from
the same survey period, and extension region.
Receiving Districts studied (in
green)
“Advance Questionnaire” and
the School Climate scale.
 I feel safe at school.
 If a student has a problem there are
teachers who will listen and help.
 The community is proud of this school.
 I like going to this school.
 Likert-type Scale responses:
 1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly Agree
 Chronbach Alpha=.76
Summary of Findings
 Students in Receiving Districts gave
climate scores that compared favorably
with a comparison group.
Climate Score
Receiving Districts (R) vs Comparison
Group (C)
3.8
3.7
R
C
3.6
3.5
1991-1995
1996-2000
Time
2001-2005
 Within receiving districts, Hispanic Students
initially scored climate lower than non-Hispanic
students, but gave higher ratings over time.
 Possible anomaly with NH students in latest
period as more data arrive.
Climate Score
Hispanic (H) & Non-Hispanic (NH)
Students in Receiving Districts
3.8
3.7
H
NH
3.6
3.5
3.4
1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2005
Time
 Within receiving school districts, Hispanic
female students somewhat more positive
than males.
Climate Score
Hispanic Students by Gender in
Receiving Districts
4
F
M
3.5
3
1991-1995
1996-2000
Time
2001-2005
Conclusions
 School Climate is perceived as improving
during the 15 year period among
Hispanic students in Non-Metro areas.
 Data provide some support for notion that
receiving school districts are adapting to
meet the needs of Hispanic students.