Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: The purposes of this study were to develop and validate an instrument that measures the ethical climate of elementary schools. To create the Elementary School Ethical Climate Index (ESECI), we adapted the ethical climate index for middle and high schools. The ESECI assesses student and teacher interactions and relationships through the application of five ethical principles: respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity (Kitchener, 1984, 1985). To provide evidence of the ESECI’s reliability and validity we distribut-ed the ESECI to the students and teachers/staff at one urban elementary school in a Midwestern city. There was a significant difference in student perceptions of student to student interactions and relationships across grade levels. Schools could use the ESECI to pinpoint areas where changes need to be made in order to enhance a school’s sense of community. Key Words: sense of community, school climate, elementary school, ethics
Source: DigitalCommons@UNO
Authors: Kay Anne Keiser, Laura Schulte
Language: English
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2150099479