Multilevel analysis of school attitude among students of grade 4-9

Objective To explore variables related to school attitude on individual-level and school-level,and to provide statistical basis for developing a positive attitude among students for educational workers and parents.Methods We used multistage stratified radom sampling method for selecting 6 714 students from 80 elementary and junior schools in 31 provinces,municipalities directly under the central government and autonomous regions in China.The scales of school attitude and class environment and the questionnaire of everyday life were used to conduct a multilevel analysis.Results About 16% variations could be found between different schools(x2=1 324.73,P<0.01).On the individual level,elementary students(β=-0.40),girls(β =0.19),non-resident students(β=-0.12),students with less-educated parents(β=-0.06),student leaders(β=0.15),students with good academic records(β =0.16),students who were active in extracurricular activities(β =0.11),and students whose parents contacted school frequently(β =0.13,0.15) had more positive school attitude(P<0.05).On the school level,students in rural schools(β =0.12),those in schools which had good teacher-student relationship(β =0.24) and good student-student relationship(β =0.23),those in schools with a low percentage of teachers who had taught less than two years (β=-0.03) and in schools with a light burden of studies (β=-0.16) had more positive school attitude(P<0.05).Conclusion Various factors have influenced the school attitude among the students of grade 4-9 on the individual and school level.