A Survey of the Moral Atmosphere of Elementary and Junior High Schools in Taiwan

Author: Chi-Ming Lee(Department of Civic Education and Leadership,National Taiwan Normal University)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 49, No. 1
Date：April 2004
Pages：1-20
DOI：10.3966/2073753X2004044901001

Abstract：

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore students' perceptions of the moral atmosphere in Taiwan's elementary and junior high schools. The moral atmosphere questionnaires (SMAQ & SCCP ) were based on the theories of "a just community" (a justice-oriented school atmosphere) and "modern character education" (a caring-oriented school atmosphere). 2701 students (5th-graders in elementary schools and 2nd-year junior high school students) from 48 schools across Taiwan participated in this study. The findings were：(1) In regard to SMAQ (justice orientation), the sub-scale for "moral issues" was below the average score, while for "rapport between students and school" it was above average. (2) In regard to SCCP (caring-orientation), the "caring" score was above average. The sub-scale for "perceptions of student respect" had the highest score.(3) Factors which most significantly affected school moral atmosphere were the school district, the number of homerooms per school, the educational level (whether a primary or junior high school), and student gender. That is, schools in northern and central Taiwan scored higher in moral atmosphere than in southern and eastern Taiwan; small schools scored higher than large and middle-sized ones; elementary schools scored higher than junior high schools; and female students scored higher than male students.

Keywords：moral atmosphere, justice, caring

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