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Student, Parent, And Teacher Perceptions Of School Racial Climate In A Charter Middle School In South Los Angeles: A Microcosm Of Missed Opportunity, Joan Y. Wicks

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explores student, parent, and teacher perceptions of school racial climate and its impact on students’ academic and personal lives at a charter middle school in South Los Angeles. The study also explores teacher handling of the impact of racial tensions at this school with a majority Latin@ student enrollment and a predominantly Black teaching staff. School climate refers to the perceived quality of interpersonal interactions among teachers, students, staff, and parents. A positive school climate is associated with increased academic achievement and decreased disciplinary problems. Conversely, schools wrought with interethnic conflict or a poor racial climate …