An Investigation of Alternative High School Students’ Perceptions of Barriers to Education
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University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK
2010
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin12807764442021-08-03T06:14:06Z An Investigation of Alternative High School Students’ Perceptions of Barriers to Education Sage-Keller, Laura Social Studies Education alternative school at-risk students barriers to education online curriculum stay in school <p>In recent years, research has investigated the phenomenon of high school drop outs. Research has been conducted at the local, state, national, and international levels. Data have been gathered on the gender, socio economic status, ethnic and racial status, to name just a few of the categories. Information has also been gathered about the various identifiable risk factors (Belfield, 2007; Chapman, 2007; Swanson, 2008; Gleason & Dynarski, 2002).</p><p> There has been little research about dropping out from the perspective of the potential dropouts themselves (Harvey & Housman, 2005). Most research focused on solid quantitative data, resulting in scores of informative facts and figures. While these hard quantitative data have provided an informative statistical landscape, they only provided part of the total picture of the high school dropout. Several researchers have written about the lack of scholarly information that encompasses the viewpoint of the high school students themselves (Garnier, Stein, & Jacobs, 1997). </p><p> Investigators cited the need for more research to be conducted to examine the viewpoint of the student (Bridgeland & Dilulio, 2002). There was a lack of research on students’ perceptions of how alternative high schools can help students stay in school. This study used qualitative methods to examine alternative high school students perception of barriers to education and how their alternative high school helped them stay in school. This study used archival data from the school, field observation notes, and interviews with 10 students.</p><p> This research attempted to answer two questions: What do alternative high school students perceive to be barriers to education? How is the alternative high school helping students to stay in school? Research showed that students at this alternative high school perceived their largest barrier to education to be their home life and all of the issues they faced at home. Home issues included relationship issues with parents, frequent moves, foster homes, pregnancy, and unemployment issues. Students also felt that issues at the traditional school also were barriers to finishing their education. Most of these school issues revolved around relational aggression or co rumination between male-female and female-female associations. </p><p> Students felt that the interpersonal relationships and support they received from their teachers and staff at the alternative high school significantly contributed to helping them stay in school. In addition to the caring attitude of teachers and school personnel, students also felt the flexible educational delivery system of a blended online curriculum also contributed to them staying in school. Students felt the individualized personal curriculum best met their needs, both educationally and circumstantially. Students had the flexibility to always have access to the online curriculum, thus allowing them the flexibility to not get behind in school work when home situations and crisis surfaced. Students could go back over their school work until they understood the concept, allowing for a deeper level of understanding and success. Students could work at their own pace and choose what subjects to work on. This allowed students to maximize their opportunities to learn.</p> 2010-08-03 English text University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1280776444 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1280776444 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
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NDLTD |
| topic |
Social Studies Education alternative school at-risk students barriers to education online curriculum stay in school |
| spellingShingle |
Social Studies Education alternative school at-risk students barriers to education online curriculum stay in school Sage-Keller, Laura An Investigation of Alternative High School Students’ Perceptions of Barriers to Education |
| author |
Sage-Keller, Laura |
| author_facet |
Sage-Keller, Laura |
| author_sort |
Sage-Keller, Laura |
| title |
An Investigation of Alternative High School Students’ Perceptions of Barriers to Education |
| title_short |
An Investigation of Alternative High School Students’ Perceptions of Barriers to Education |
| title_full |
An Investigation of Alternative High School Students’ Perceptions of Barriers to Education |
| title_fullStr |
An Investigation of Alternative High School Students’ Perceptions of Barriers to Education |
| title_full_unstemmed |
An Investigation of Alternative High School Students’ Perceptions of Barriers to Education |
| title_sort |
investigation of alternative high school students’ perceptions of barriers to education |
| publisher |
University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2010 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1280776444 |
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