New high schools in Ohio: Relationships between school facilities and student and staff behavior and attitudes.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between moving from old to new high school facilities and student behavior and staff attitudes in selected Ohio schools. This study comprised 13 rural, small cities, and suburban high schools. There were no new urban schools in the study. Data from two years prior and two years after the move into new school facilities were examined. Fifty-one of 66 surveys were completed by four school personnel groups: (a) superintendents, (b) high school principals, (c) assistant high school principals, and (d) high school guidance counselors. The survey assessed student behavior, student and staff attendance, pride, and morale. Student and staff attendance, and student graduation rates data were obtained from the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) which is an Ohio accountability system for schools. EMIS and survey data on student and staff attendance rates, and graduation rates were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. Data on student suspension and expulsion rates were analyzed using a Paired Samples t-Test. Survey opinions were rated on a Likert scale from 1 to 6 either "disagree or agree." Items rated "disagree, (1--3) and "agree," (4--6) were compressed into two values for statistical analysis using the Binomial Test. These two values were either "1" equals disagree or "2" equals agree. This data compression was necessary due to the lack of responses across all ratings. This study was guided by five null hypotheses. The major findings of this study, after moving into new facilities, included: (1) A significant reduction in the number of reported student suspensions and student expulsions. (2) No significant increase or decrease in the student attendance or graduation rates. (3) A significant positive change in staff attendance rates. (4) A significant positive change in overall staff perceptions of student pride and morale (attitudes), and staff pride and morale (attitudes). (5) A significant positive change in overall staff perceptions of student behavior.;Based upon the findings, the occupation of new school buildings seemed to enhance student and staff behavior and attitudes. All community stakeholders should seriously evaluate their school buildings to address pressing school facility needs. This study should help practitioners as they seek methods to successfully promote new legislation, pass bond issues, and plan for renovation or new construction of school facilities.