L'approccio whole-school per l'educazione civica e alla cittadinanza : risultati di uno studio di caso multi-prospettico su partecipazione e relazioni a livello di classe e scuola

The PRIN project "The school as a democratic learning environment: promoting civic and citizenship education through the whole-school approach" aimed to analyse the different dimensions of the whole­school approach at classroom, school levels and in relation with the local community. This paper presents the results concerning two WSA dimensions, namely student participation in class and at school and teacher-student relations (the classroom climate). These dimensions were investigated through a case study conducted in one primary and lower secondary school in Rome. The research adopted different tools such as questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. Data were analysed to show the multi­perspective character of the research, examining in synergy the point of view of the school head, the teacher coordinating civic education at school, the teachers and the students. The analysis of the data made it possible to highlight key practices and implicit assumptions that characterise the dimensions of the WSA

relating to participation and classroom climate. Specifically, findings showed a discrepancy between teachers' perceptions of participation at class and school level, compared to students' perceptions, and a different way of understanding student involvement by primary and lower secondary school teachers. The contribution closes with some insights on further research and training interventions with schools and teachers. [Publisher's Text]