An Instrument for Assessing Instructional Climate Through Low-Inference Student Judgments

Growing from the environmental press tradition, an instrument for assessing both cognitive and affective dimensions of a class was developed. Seven cognitive factors based on Bloom's "Taxonomy" and nine affective factors are derived from 25 items. A factor analysis supports the logical structure. The instrument was used to evaluate a statewide gifted program by comparing a sample of 62 gifted classes with 69 "average" classes. Gifted classes were found to be superior on the dimensions of higher thought processes, classroom focus, and classroom climate. Several uses are suggested for the instrument in both evaluation and research.