Values of Early Adolescents Compared by Type of School

Abstract

Early adolescent values profiles were examined in five schools using a modified form of the Values Preference Survey Scale (Form D). The schools were differentiated on four bases: ethnic mix/Caucasian, religiously affiliated/public, urban/rural, and low SES/upper middle SES. Values ranking from 266 students, 10 to 12 years old, confirm the expectation that values profiles or orders of arrangement do differ from school to school and that the differences are significantly related to distinctions between schools on a composite dimension that includes ethnicity, SES, and rural/urban factors. Somewhat fewer significant distinctions were found for religiously affiliated schools compared with public schools. Groups of upper middle SES, Caucasian children in non-urban communities assigned high values to achievement and recognition and balanced their appraisal with lesser weights for family and personal values. The urban, low SES, and mixed ethnic group developed a very different profile, assigning personal satisfactions priority above the values of reputation, achievement, religious faith, and secure country. The groups identified as Catholic ranked religious faith and personal virtues significantly high and prosperity relatively low.