Student’s perceptions of inclusive and empowering school environments in secondary multiethnic schools

Mihaela David-Izvernar, Alina Roman, Mușata Bocoș, Liliana Ciascai, Dana Rad, Ramona Răduț-Taciu, Maria Sinaci, Ovidiu Toderici, Daniel Mara, Elena-Lucia Mara, Anca Egerău, Maria Vîrlan

Article ID: 10634
Vol 9, Issue 1, 2025

VIEWS - 484 (Abstract)

Abstract


This study validates the Intercultural Competence and Inclusion in Education Scale (ICIES), a novel instrument designed to assess students’ perceptions of inclusivity and intercultural competence in multiethnic secondary schools. Using a sample of 276 high school students from Western Romania, the ICIES identified three dimensions: ethnic appreciation and support, intercultural engagement and integration, and school unity and cohesion. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the scale’s structural validity, while network analysis revealed key interconnections among its components. Findings highlight the critical role of inclusive teaching strategies and school cohesion in fostering intercultural competence. The ICIES provides educators and policymakers with actionable insights for designing interventions that promote empathy, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging in diverse school settings. These results contribute to the development of educational policies aimed at fostering inclusion and addressing the needs of increasingly multicultural classrooms.


Keywords


intercultural competence; inclusive education; multiethnic schools; student perceptions; educational environment

Full Text:

PDF


References


Aldrich, J. O. (2018). Using IBM SPSS statistics: An interactive hands-on approach. Sage Publications. Allemann-Ghionda, C. (2009). From intercultural education to the inclusion of diversity: Theories and policies in Europe. In: The Routledge international companion to multicultural education. Routledge. pp. 134–145. Balagopalan, S. (2009). “Unity in diversity”: Social cohesion and the pedagogical project of the Indian state. In: Thinking diversity, building cohesion: A transnational dialogue. Stanford. pp. 133–150. Barrett, M. (2018). How Schools Can Promote the Intercultural Competence of Young People. European Psychologist, 23(1), 93–104. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000308 Bennett, J. M. (2013). Intercultural Competence: Vital Perspectives for Diversity and Inclusion. Diversity at Work: The Practice of Inclusion, 155–176. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118764282.ch5 Blanchet-Cohen, N., & Reilly, R. C. (2013). Teachers’ perspectives on environmental education in multicultural contexts: Towards culturally-responsive environmental education. Teaching and Teacher Education, 36, 12–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2013.07.001 Bocoș, M., Mara, D., Roman, A., et al. (2023). Mentoring and metacognition—Interferences and interdependencies. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i2.2859 Borgatti, S. P., Everett, M. G., Johnson, J. C., & Agneessens, F. (2022). Analyzing social networks using R. Sage. Câmpean, A., Bocoș, M., Roman, A., et al. (2024). Examining Teachers’ Perception on the Impact of Positive Feedback on School Students. Education Sciences, 14(3), 257. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14030257 Cherkowski, S., & Ragoonaden, K. (2016). Leadership for diversity: Intercultural communication competence as professional development. Teacher Learning and Professional Development, 1(1), 33–43. Coperías Aguilar, M. J. (2002). Intercultural communicative competence: A step beyond communicative competence. ELIA, 3, 85–102. Corson, D. (1991). Realities of teaching in a multiethnic school. International Review of Education, 37(1), 7–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00598165 Coulangeon, P. (2018). The Impact of Participation in Extracurricular Activities on School Achievement of French Middle School Students: Human Capital and Cultural Capital Revisited. Social Forces, 97(1), 55–90. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/soy016 Deardorff, D., & Arasaratnam-Smith, L. (2017). Intercultural Competence in Higher Education: International Approaches, Assessment and Application. Routledge. Dobia, B., Parada, R. H., Roffey, S., et al. (2019). Social and emotional learning: From individual skills to class cohesion. Educational and Child Psychology, 36(2), 78–90. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpsecp.2019.36.2.78 Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., et al. (2011). The Impact of Enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta‐Analysis of School‐Based Universal Interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405–432. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x Eden, C. A., Chisom, O. N., & Adeniyi, I. S. (2024). Cultural competence in education: strategies for fostering inclusivity and diversity awareness. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 6(3), 383–392. Elosua, M. R. (2015). Intercultural Competence in the Education Process. Journal of Education and Learning, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v4n1p72 Engberg, M. E., Davidson, L. M., Manderino, M., et al. (2016). Examining the relationship between intercultural engagement and undergraduate students’ global perspective. Multicultural Education Review, 8(4), 253–274. https://doi.org/10.1080/2005615x.2016.1237417 Faas, D., Smith, A., & Darmody, M. (2018). The role of principals in creating inclusive school environments: insights from community national schools in Ireland. School Leadership & Management, 38(4), 457–473. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2018.1430688 Fabrigar, L. R., & Wegener, D. T. (2011). Exploratory factor analysis. Oxford University Press. Fruja Amthor, R., & Roxas, K. (2016). Multicultural Education and Newcomer Youth: Re-Imagining a More Inclusive Vision for Immigrant and Refugee Students. Educational Studies, 52(2), 155–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131946.2016.1142992 Ghosh, R., & Galczynski, M. (2014). Redefining multicultural education: Inclusion and the right to be different. Canadian Scholars’ Press. Greenberg, M. T., Weissberg, R. P., O’Brien, M. U., et al. (2003). Enhancing school-based prevention and youth development through coordinated social, emotional, and academic learning. American Psychologist, 58(6–7), 466–474. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.58.6-7.466 Hajjar, S. T. (2018). Statistical analysis: Internal-consistency reliability and construct validity. International Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods, 6(1), 27–38. Hartman, E., Lough, B. J., Toms, C., & Reynolds, N. (2015). Assessing intercultural capacities. In: Going glocal in higher education: The theory, teaching and measurement of global citizenship. UCR. p. 27. Juvonen, J., Nishina, A., & Graham, S. (2006). Ethnic Diversity and Perceptions of Safety in Urban Middle Schools. Psychological Science, 17(5), 393–400. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01718.x Kirk, C. M., Lewis, R. K., Brown, K., et al. (2015). The Empowering Schools Project. Youth & Society, 49(6), 827–847. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118x14566118 Kozina, A. (2020). Social, emotional and intercultural competencies for inclusive school environments across Europe. Verlag Dr. Kovac GmbH: Hamburg. Kumar, R., Zusho, A., & Bondie, R. (2018). Weaving Cultural Relevance and Achievement Motivation Into Inclusive Classroom Cultures. Educational Psychologist, 53(2), 78–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2018.1432361 Landsman, J., & Lewis, C. W. (2023). White teachers/diverse classrooms: Creating inclusive schools, building on students’ diversity, and providing true educational equity. Taylor & Francis. Lareau, A. (1987). Social Class Differences in Family-School Relationships: The Importance of Cultural Capital. Sociology of Education, 60(2), 73. https://doi.org/10.2307/2112583 Lawrence, G. (2013). A working model for intercultural learning and engagement in collaborative online language learning environments. Intercultural Education, 24(4), 303–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/14675986.2013.809247 Leo, F. M., López-Gajardo, M. A., & Pulido, J. J. (2023). Development of cohesion and relatedness in the classroom to optimize learning processes in the educational setting. In Self-Determination Theory and Socioemotional Learning. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. pp. 105–126. Leo, F. M., López-Gajardo, M. A., Rodríguez-González, P., et al. (2023). How class cohesion and teachers’ relatedness supportive/thwarting style relate to students’ relatedness, motivation, and positive and negative outcomes in physical education. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 65, 102360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102360 Leszczensky, L., Flache, A., Stark, T. H., et al. (2018). The relation between ethnic classroom composition and adolescents’ ethnic pride. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 21(7), 997–1013. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430217691363 Loader, R., & Hughes, J. (2017). Balancing Cultural Diversity and Social Cohesion in Education: The Potential of Shared Education in Divided Contexts. British Journal of Educational Studies, 65(1), 3–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071005.2016.1254156 Lorenzo‐Blanco, E. I., Bares, C. B., & Delva, J. (2013). Parenting, Family Processes, Relationships, and Parental Support in Multiracial and Multiethnic Families: An Exploratory Study of Youth Perceptions. Family Relations, 62(1), 125–139. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2012.00751.x Malau-Aduli, B. S., Ross, S., & Adu, M. D. (2019). Perceptions of intercultural competence and institutional intercultural inclusiveness among first year medical students: a 4-year study. BMC Medical Education, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-019-1780-y Mara, D., Mara, E.-L., Bocoș, M., et al. (2024). Are Digital Education Resources Meeting the Preliminary Needs of „R.E.D. Teacher EDucation” Project? Revista Romaneasca Pentru Educatie Multidimensionala, 16(4), 70–96. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/16.4/908 Marinkovic, V., Senic, V., & Mimovic, P. (2015). Factors affecting choice and image of ethnic restaurants in Serbia. British Food Journal, 117(7), 1903–1920. https://doi.org/10.1108/bfj-09-2014-0313 Miles, A., & Gibson, L. (2016). Everyday participation and cultural value. Cultural Trends, 25(3), 151–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/09548963.2016.1204043 Mizokawa, D. T., & Ryckman, D. B. (1990). Attributions of Academic Success and Failure. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 21(4), 434–451. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022190214003 Morelli, G. A., Rogoff, B., & Angelillo, C. (2003). Cultural variation in young children’s access to work or involvement in specialised child-focused activities. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 27(3), 264–274. https://doi.org/10.1080/01650250244000335 Müller, F., Denk, A., Lubaway, E., et al. (2020). Assessing social, emotional, and intercultural competences of students and school staff: A systematic literature review. Educational Research Review, 29, 100304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2019.100304 Nieto, S. (2005). Critical multicultural education and students’ perspectives. In: Critical multiculturalism. Routledge. pp. 217–243. Nordin, R., Shapiee, R., Suhor, S., et al. (2011). Human rights education and social unity in multi-ethnic society. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 18, 408–414. Okoye-Johnson, O. (2011). Does Multicultural Education Improve Students’ Racial Attitudes? Implications for Closing the Achievement Gap. Journal of Black Studies, 42(8), 1252–1274. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021934711408901 Park, W. M., Park, C. D., Lee, G. H., & Ra, J. E. (2001). Functional and Aesthetic Design Process of Outdoor-Wear for Improvement of Comfort and Appearance. In Proceedings of the Korea Society of Costume Conference. The Korean Society of Costume. pp. 122–122. Parkhouse, H., Lu, C. Y., & Massaro, V. R. (2019). Multicultural Education Professional Development: A Review of the Literature. Review of Educational Research, 89(3), 416–458. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654319840359 Porto, M., & Houghton, S. A. (2023). Introduction: Arts integration and community engagement for intercultural dialogue through language education. Language Teaching Research, 27(2), 234–260. https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688211044544 Puticiu, M., Grecu, M. B., Rotaru, L. T., et al. (2024). Exploring Burnout, Work Addiction, and Stress-Related Growth among Prehospital Emergency Personnel. Behavioral Sciences, 14(9), 851. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14090851 Rad, D., Redeș, A., Roman, A., et al. (2023). The use of theory of planned behavior to systemically study the integrative-qualitative intentional behavior in Romanian preschool education with network analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1017011 Rad, D., Redeş, A., Roman, A., et al. (2022). Pathways to inclusive and equitable quality early childhood education for achieving SDG4 goal—a scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.955833 Redeș, A., Rad, D., Roman, A., et al. (2023). The Effect of the Organizational Climate on the Integrative–Qualitative Intentional Behavior in Romanian Preschool Education—A Top-Down Perspective. Behavioral Sciences, 13(4), 342. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13040342 Roberge, M. É., Petrov, E., & Huang, W. R. (2014). Students’ Perceptions of their Attitudes and Behaviors toward Different Cultures/Ethnicities Before and After a Diversity Training Program. The Journal of Business Diversity, 14(1), 80. Saleh, M. F., Anngela-Cole, L., & Boateng, A. (2011). Effectiveness of Diversity Infusion Modules on Students’ Attitudes, Behavior, and Knowledge. Journal of Ethnic And Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 20(3), 240–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2011.594995 Solhaug, T., & Kristensen, N. N. (2020). Gender and intercultural competence: analysis of intercultural competence among upper secondary school students in Denmark and Norway. Educational Psychology, 40(1), 120–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2019.1646410 Tangen, D., Mercer, K. L., Spooner-Lane, R., et al. (2011). Exploring Intercultural Competence: A Service-Learning Approach. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 36(11). https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2011v36n11.2 Thijs, J., & Verkuyten, M. (2014). School ethnic diversity and students’ interethnic relations. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 84(1), 1–21. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12032 Van Boxtel, J. M. (2018). Constructing culturally responsive professional development for inclusion in El Salvador using the lens of intercultural competence. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 22(11), 1173–1183. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2017.1417501 Vaske, J. J., Beaman, J., & Sponarski, C. C. (2016). Rethinking Internal Consistency in Cronbach’s Alpha. Leisure Sciences, 39(2), 163–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2015.1127189 Veerman, G. J., & Denessen, E. (2021). Social cohesion in schools: A non-systematic review of its conceptualization and instruments. Cogent Education, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2021.1940633 Verkuyten, M., & Thijs, J. (2013). Multicultural Education and Inter-Ethnic Attitudes. European Psychologist, 18(3), 179–190. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000152 Wright, B. L. (2009). Racial-ethnic identity, academic achievement, and African American males: A review of literature. The Journal of Negro Education, 123–134.



DOI: https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd10634

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 Mihaela David-Izvernar, Alina Roman, Mușata Bocoș, Liliana Ciascai, Dana Rad, Ramona Răduț-Taciu, Maria Sinaci, Ovidiu Toderici, Daniel Mara, Elena-Lucia Mara, Anca Egerău, Maria Vîrlan

License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.