Getting Back On Track: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Former High School Dropouts

Getting Back On Track: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Former High School Dropouts PDF Author: Hale G. Thomas-Hilburn
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Book Description
Research on high school dropouts has largely focused on dropout prevention and the identification of risk factors that contribute to leaving school early. While the long-term prognosis of dropouts is often very poor, some individuals manage to change course and return for additional education later in life. In this exploratory qualitative study, five individuals who successfully returned for additional education and continued on to higher education were interviewed. Self-Determination Theory was used to analyze the data, which were examined for the decision-making processes that led to the changes in direction, and the factors that contributed most to facilitating their transitions. Overall, the participants followed similar stages of growth, and ultimately arrived at a turning point that resulted in their new directions. Several themes emerged from their stories, including the need for sufficient social capital, the significance of family and friends, the importance of taking responsibility, and overcoming previous negative experiences.

Returning to Class

Returning to Class PDF Author: Sean Englert
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : College students
Languages : en
Pages : 225

Book Description
The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of former high school dropouts who have completed their high school credential through an adult education program and are enrolled in a postsecondary program of study at a technical college, community college, or four-year university in a state located in the southern United States. The two guiding theories of this study were the theory of multiple intelligences as it related to learning and student engagement, and transformative learning theory as it related to the participants’ changed perspective regarding their own learning. The research questions of the study were: (a) how do former high school dropouts describe the experience of reengaging with learning; (b) how do participants describe the experience of becoming disengaged from learning in a K-12 educational setting to becoming reengaged with learning in a postsecondary setting; (c) what experiences do participants describe that led them to pursue postsecondary education; (d) and what experiences do participants describe as leading them to successful reengagement with learning? The primary source of data consisted of semi-structured, open-ended interviews conducted with individuals and focus groups. After data analysis, which utilized Moustakas’ (1994) approach to transcendental phenomenology, emerging themes developed. Those themes were: (a) the learner, describing the learning characteristics of the participants, (b) the system, recognizing key features of K-12 and postsecondary educational systems, (c) the perspective, highlighting the participants’ changed meaning perspectives, (d) the path, emphasizing the participants’ plans to continue their academic pursuits despite dropping out from high school, and (e) the lagniappe, outlining two bonus themes unassociated with the previous four themes.

Failing at School

Failing at School PDF Author: Camille A. Farrington
Publisher: Teachers College Press
ISBN: 0807772747
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 209

Book Description
Roughly half of all incoming ninth graders across urban districts will fail classes and drop out of school without a diploma. Failing at School starts with the premise that urban American high schools generate such widespread student failure not because of some fault of the students who attend them but because high schools were designed to stratify achievement and let only the top performers advance to higher levels of education. This design is particularly detrimental for low-income, racial/ethnic minority students. To get different results, Farrington proposes fundamental changes based on what we now know about how students learn, what motivates them to engage in learning, and what kinds of educational systems and structures would best support their learning. “This is a groundbreaking and eye-opening study because it does what few studies of high school truly do: get inside the hearts and minds of teen-agers and show what their experience of school looks and feels like to them. The analysis of students who fail is revealing and powerful. There are poignant and revealing stories of just how a few student mistakes or teacher insensitivities lead to unfortunate and long-lasting results. More importantly, these case studies, their nuances, and their implications take us beyond the clichés and simplistic theories about schools and reform. Most importantly, we read of tangible and intelligent solutions that can be instituted, based on the facts on the ground. I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in getting beyond the typical talking points of school reform.” —Grant Wiggins, Authentic Education “Camille Farrington details how high schools trap students along developmental trajectories distorted by structural factors—resources, values and practices—beyond their control. Grounded firmly in research, she describes a better way forward. This book is an important contribution to the re-visioning of American high schools.” —Ronald F. Ferguson, faculty director, Achievement Gap Initiative, Harvard University "Why is there such a pattern of failure in urban high schools? This is a vital issue for every city in America. Camille Farrington’s analysis of the roots of this problem and suggestions for structural changes to break this cycle is the best I have seen. This book combines research and practitioner wisdom with common sense and heart, and for those of us engaged in this work, presents concrete directions for positive change.” —Ron Berger, chief academic officer, Expeditionary Learning Book Features: Offers concrete strategies for redesigning high schools based on four dimensions of student achievement—structural, academic, developmental, and motivational. Highlights the voices of students to illustrate fundamental problems with the way we currently “do school.” Addresses the new Common Core State Standards and the potential of this major reform effort to move us toward equity and excellence. Camille A. Farrington is a research associate (assistant professor) at The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and the Consortium on Chicago School Research and director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the Network for College Success.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 88

Book Description
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is the premier public resource on scientific and technological developments that impact global security. Founded by Manhattan Project Scientists, the Bulletin's iconic "Doomsday Clock" stimulates solutions for a safer world.

The Toolbox Revisited

The Toolbox Revisited PDF Author: Clifford Adelman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 232

Book Description
The Toolbox Revisited is a data essay that follows a nationally representative cohort of students from high school into postsecondary education, and asks what aspects of their formal schooling contribute to completing a bachelor's degree by their mid-20s. The universe of students is confined to those who attended a four-year college at any time, thus including students who started out in other types of institutions, particularly community colleges.

The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers

The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers PDF Author: Johnny Saldana
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1446200124
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 282

Book Description
The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers is unique in providing, in one volume, an in-depth guide to each of the multiple approaches available for coding qualitative data. In total, 29 different approaches to coding are covered, ranging in complexity from beginner to advanced level and covering the full range of types of qualitative data from interview transcripts to field notes. For each approach profiled, Johnny Saldaña discusses the method’s origins in the professional literature, a description of the method, recommendations for practical applications, and a clearly illustrated example.

Introduction to Educational Research

Introduction to Educational Research PDF Author: W. Newton Suter
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1412995736
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 529

Book Description
W. Newton Suter argues that what is important in a changing education landscape is the ability to think clearly about research methods, reason through complex problems and evaluate published research. He explains how to evaluate data and establish its relevance.

A Second Chance at Education for Early School Leavers

A Second Chance at Education for Early School Leavers PDF Author: Cain Polidano
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Despite efforts to engage youth in education, there have been only modest improvements in the rates of school completion across OECD countries since the mid-1990s. These modest improvements underline the importance of programs that encourage early school leavers to return to post-school education. The objective of this paper is to better understand the factors that affect the chances of re-engaging early school leavers in education, with a particular focus on the importance of time out from school (duration dependence) and school-related factors. Using data from three cohorts of the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth and duration models that control for unobserved heterogeneity, our results suggest that programs that encourage an early return to study and programs that develop post-school career plans may be more effective than programs that concentrate on improving numeracy and literacy scores.

School Dropout and Completion

School Dropout and Completion PDF Author: Stephen Lamb
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9048197635
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 419

Book Description
School dropout remains a persistent and critical issue in many school systems, so much so that it is sometimes referred to as a crisis. Populations across the globe have come to depend on success at school for establishing careers and gaining access to post-school qualifications. Yet large numbers of young people are excluded from the advantages that successful completion of school brings and as a result are subjected to consequences such as higher likelihood of unemployment, lower earnings, greater dependence on welfare and poorer physical health and well-being. Over recent decades, most western nations have stepped up their efforts to reduce drop out and raise school completion rates while maintaining high standards. How school systems have approached this, and how successful they are, varies. This book compares the various approaches by evaluating their impact on rates of dropout and completion. Case studies of national systems are used to highlight the different approaches including institutional arrangements and the various alternative secondary school programs and their outcomes. The evaluation is based on several key questions: What are the main approaches? How do they work? For whom do they work? And, how successful are they in promoting high rates of completion and equivalent outcomes for all? This book examines the nature of the dropout problem in advanced industrialized countries with the goal of developing a broader, international understanding that can feed into public policy to help improve completion rates worldwide.

Resources in education

Resources in education PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 340

Book Description