The Role of Objective and Perceived School Building Quality in Student Academic Outcomes and Self-Perception

The authors contribute to research on school building quality and student achievement by examining the roles of both perceived and objective school building quality in developing self-efficacy and academic success. The study interviewed public school students about their school and self-perception. Researchers assessed school building quality, and academic performance was measured by GPA and state-wide standardized test scores. A series of statistical analyses were performed, revealing a link between objective and perceived school building quality and self-efficacy, both of which are significantly related to GPA scores. However, neither measure of building quality predicted standardized test scores. The authors find that students’ perceptions of building safety were the best predictors of perceived school building quality as well as student achievement.