Can private schools improve school climate? Evidence from a nationally representative sample

Abstract

A safe school environment is essential for effective learning and the inculcation of civic values. The article presents a comparative analysis of school climate and safety in private and public schools using nationally representative data from the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) 2011–2012. Ordinal logistic regressions are used to study differences in self-reported school climate and safety related information by public and private school principals. Comparisons are also done based on school locality, between public charter and traditional public schools, and between Catholic, other religious, and nonsectarian private schools. We find that principals in private schools are much less likely to report the presence of strict school safety practices than their public school counterparts; also, due to lower likelihood of crime-related incidences at their campuses, we conclude that private schools may offer a school environment that is more suitable for long-term success.