AN EVALUATION OF AN INSTRUMENT FOR ASSESSING SCHOOL CLIMATE

This article is concerned with evaluating an instrument designed to assess the characteristics of the learning “climate” in secondary schools. The “inflationary” pressures now existing in secondary schools make objective assessment and rational control of this aspect of education increasingly important. A Stern High School Characteristics Index was modified and administered to 918 fourth form pupils in seven New South Wales Secondary Schools to assess its value for this purpose.