The School and Environmental Robustness

Abstract

Employing the Robustness Semantic Differential (RSD) scale for the concept My School as the dependent variable in a series of exploratory multiple regression analyses and using factor scores from 15-factor, 6-factor, and 3-factor versions of the Learning Environment Inventory (LEI) and item scores from the Principal Performance Description Survey (PPDS) as four separate sets of independent variables with 188 secondary students responding, robustness was found to be positively related to perceptions of clear goal direction, cohesiveness, a lack of academic competitiveness, diversity, an absence of feelings of alienation, and favorable interpersonal relationships between students as well as the frequency with which a school principal is seen at school activities and seen watching over students at school activities. The RSD was employed as the dependent variable, and the My School Inventory (MSI)-a 5-factor adaption of the LEI for use with elementary students-and the items from the elementary school version of the PPDS were used as two separate sets of independent variables in multiple regression analyses with a sample of 226 elementary students. While no significant relationships emerged between RSD and MSI factors, the RSD was related to the perceived effectiveness with which the principal attends school activities and handles student misconduct.