Using action research to improve the process of an after- school program for elementary school children from disadvantaged families

• Main Authors: Pei- Jung Hsieh, 謝佩容
• Other Authors: Jui- Yung Feng
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/17044743097708594540

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 護理學系碩博士班 === 95 === Due to the rapid changes in the structure of society and family, the after-school care pattern for the elementary school children has been changed. Most parents utilize private after-school institutes to care for or to tutor their elementary school children. Some families cannot afford this expense because of economic hardship. The after-school program by non-profit organizations offers an opportunity to assist children from these disadvantaged families for their after school care. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of assisting and improving the quality of an after-school program offered by a non-profit organization. This after-school program using volunteers as main manpower was designed to help children from low-income or single-parent families. Using action research approach, the specific aims for this study were 1) to describe the quality improvement needs of the after-school program, 2) to develop a series of actions and plan for meeting the needs for the after-school program, 3) to empower all participants in the process of improving the quality of the after-school program. Participants for this study included the researcher, workers of the non-profit organization, volunteers, and parents and teachers of the students. The researcher acted as a volunteer working with other participants to assess the problem and needs of the program, to implement a plan to improve the quality of the program, and to evaluate the program. The cycle of Lewin’s Action Research model was implemented for this study using communication and triangulation for data collection. Quantitative data consisted of structured daily records for the program and structured satisfaction questionnaires for both parents and volunteers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data included reflection journal, focus group interviews, and individual in-depth interviews with the organization manager and children’s teachers. Data were analyzed using content analysis. On the basis of the research findings, four concepts were identified in this process: 1) the participant’s self-awareness (including the voluntary self-awareness of the researcher and the organization ; the involuntary self-awareness of the volunteers, children, and their teachers); 2) the existence of conflict and the process of compromise between the participants and the organization; 3) changes in terms of program structure (establishing a integrated program and modifying the program), the process of power-sharing between participants, and outcome (the efficiency of the program) ; 4) the professional role of nursing in this program (including assessment of children growth and development, health care, the family-centered care, coordination, and support). Through the process of power-sharing, communications and self-reflection, this study provided an opportunity for the researcher to re-orient and develop a more open and multi-dimensional professional role. The findings of this study can be applied to evaluate community after-school programs from the perspectives of organization, volunteers, students’ parents, and students’ teacher. Moreover, the findings of this study provided an example for community nursing work for disadvantaged children and their families. The professional nursing roles are caregiver, educator, coordinator, and counselor for the disadvantaged children.