Value similarity and value systems in state and independent secondary schools

Abstract

Male and female students from the two senior years in eight State schools and eleven Independent schools ranked sets of values from the Rokeach Value Survey first in order of importance for themselves (own values) then in the order they thought their schools would emphasize them (school values). Analyses of similarity indices showed that own values were more similar to school values in the Independent schools than in the State schools. Results of a factor analysis indicated basic similarities across schools in the way students ordered their own values and also in the way they ordered the school values. These two orders, however, were sufficiently different to imply basic disparities in the value systems of students attending secondary schools and the perceived value systems of these schools.