Abstract:
This study examined associations between classroom and climate and affective and cognitive outcomes among elementary mathematics students in Singapore. Also gender differences in students' achievement, attitudes and perceptions of classroom climate were explored. A random sample of 1512 boys and girls from government elementary schools was used. For the analysis of climate-outcome associations, a series of statistical analysies were conducted using two units of analysis, namely, the individual student and the class mean. For the analysis of gender differences, multivariate analyses of variance for repeated measures was performed for the two outcome measures and the classroom climate scales. The study led to the validation of a widely-applicable and convenient learning environment questionnaire for future use by researchers and teachers at the elementary school level. Overall the different methods of analysis yielded consistent associations between classroom climate and student outcomes. Gender differences were detected in mathematics achievement, in favour of boys, but girls generally viewed their classroom climate more favourably than the boys did.