School Climate and Organizational Culture in Public Secondary Schools in China: Inputs to Educational Effectiveness
Chen Ting
Discipline: Education
Abstract:
This study employed a descriptive
research design to examine the influence of school
climate and organizational culture on educational
effectiveness in public secondary schools in China.
Using the Raosoft Sample Size Calculator at a 95%
confidence level, 817 students were randomly
selected from a population of 3,000. The research
analyzed respondents’ profiles in terms of age and sex
and assessed school climate through indicators such
as sense of belonging, school environment, positive
relationships with adults, intellectual engagement,
extracurricular involvement, social opportunities,
bullying, safety, and learning environment.
Organizational culture was evaluated based on
professional collaboration, affiliative collegiality,
and self-determination/efficacy. The study also tested
for significant differences in school climate and
organizational culture when grouped by age, gender,
and educational attainment, as well as the
relationship between these constructs.
Findings revealed that most respondents were
millennials aged 15–20 years, predominantly female,
and enrolled in high school. Students generally
agreed that their schools fostered a positive climate
characterized by belongingness, supportive
environments, strong adult-student relationships,
intellectual engagement, extracurricular
opportunities, social interactions, safety, and
conducive learning environments, while expressing
disagreement regarding bullying. Similarly,
respondents affirmed the presence of a positive
organizational culture, particularly in terms of
professional collaboration, collegiality, and selfdetermination. Statistical analysis indicated
significant differences in school climate and
organizational culture across demographic groups
and a strong positive relationship between climate
indicators and cultural dimensions.
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