Effect of School and Class Size and School Characteristics on Classroom Climate

Abstract

This study examines the influence of class size, school size, gender of homeroom teachers, and regional characteristics on classroom climate in elementary and middle schools.

A total of 1,138 fifth-grade and 1,198 eighth-grade students in elementary and middle schools in four prefectures, in Japan were asked to fill in questionnaires concerning classroom climate.

Factor analyses revealed three major factors in classroom climate: (1) participation in roles, (2) cohesiveness of classes, and (3) well ordered behavior. In addition, each factor was analyzed by multiple regression analysis.

The study revealed that classroom climates in elementary schools were influenced by class size and regional characteristics. Increasing class size and urban atmospheres exerted a negative influence on elementary schools. On the other hand, in middle schools, classroom climate was negatively influenced by increasing school size. Thus, the study supports the idea that the class climate is influenced by factors that are regulated by the school and by the class itself.