Differences in School Climate between Old and New Buildings: Perceptions of Parents, Staff, and Students

The purpose of this study was to determine if the age of a school facility had a significant influence on the perceptions of school climate held by students, staff members, and parents in the school. Jeff Davis High School in Hazlehurst, Georgia, was the target school for this study Jeff Davis High School moved from an old facility into a new one during the summer of 1999. Subjects were asked to complete the CFK Ltd. School (Limate Profile, a school climate survey, prior to leaving the old building, then a year later in the new building. Baseline data were collected in May 1999. Postmove data were collected in May 2000. The CFK Ltd. School Climate Profile was originally developed by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation in the 1970s The version of the instrument used in this study was developed by the Phi Delta Kappa Foundation in 1987. Three groups of subjects were selected to participate in the study. A total of 223 participants (132 students, 44 staff members, and 47 parents) took both the baseline and postmove surveys. Results of baseline and postmove surveys were compared for changes in means. The statistical test used to analyze the data was the ANOVA. Results of the study were that, at least during the first year in a new school building, the perceptions of school climate by students, staff members, and parents were negatively influenced. Statistical analysis showed that the decrease was significant. One suggested reason for the decrease was that acclimation to a new building may take longer than a year. Another explanation was that building maintenance and cleanliness may have a more significant influence on school climate than does building age