Reasons Seventh-day Adventist Parents Gave for Not Sending Their Children to Seventh-day

243 Pages·2017·5.88 MB·English

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Dissertations Graduate Research
2007
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Irma C. LaBorde
Andrews University
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LaBorde, Irma C., "Reasons Seventh-day Adventist Parents Gave for Not Sending Their Children to
Seventh-day Adventist Elementary and Secondary Schools" (2007). Dissertations. 505.
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ABSTRACT
REASONS SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PARENTS GAVE FOR
NOT SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
by
Irma C. LaBorde
Chair: Duane M. Covrig
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH
Dissertation
Andrews University
School of Education
Title: REASONS SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PARENTS GAVE FOR NOT
SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Name of researcher: Irma C. LaBorde
Name and degree of faculty chair: Duane M. Covrig, Ph.D.
Date completed: April 2007
Problem
The Seventh-day Adventist elementary and secondary schools in the USA
show a continuous enrollment decline. This study’s goal is to explore the reasons SDA
parents give for why they do not send their children to SDA schools.
Method
The participants were limited to the church members of the Lake Union
Conference. Qualitative methodology was used in this study. Three groups of
participants were selected using criterion sampling—non-home-schooling parents, home-
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schooling parents, and administrators. Data collection occurred through in-depth
interviews, focus groups, and a one-question survey. The interviews were audiotaped.
The tapes were transcribed verbatim, coded, and grouped into themes. Analysis and
interpretation were verified by some participants, peer reviews, and triangulation.
Results
Financial issues were the most cited reason for non-attendance. Home
schooling was the next great competitor. Home-schooling parents had noticed the
lowering of school values and standards, and the strong influential power that some peers
had on others. The students’ styles of dress, conversations, and demeanor no longer
impressed them. Other non-home-schooling parents sent their children to public schools
because these institutions have more resources, more qualified teachers, and better
facilities. Public schools offered a wider range of subjects, competitive sports and
scholarships, extracurricular activities, music, after-school programs, and other free
services.
Many SDA teachers work at public schools, and parents claimed that they took
better care of their children. SDA academies were located too far away from home, and
transportation caused parents to worry about their children’s safety. A few parents
withdrew their children from SDA schools due to perceived unresolved conflicts.
Changes in student population are affecting SDA schools, and some pastors were
not supporting Christian education.
Conclusion
Many SDA children are deprived of a Christian education due to lack of finance.
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Home-schooling parents are diligently controlling their children’s educational, spiritual,
and moral training. Some non-home-schooling parents see public schools as better than
SDA schools. Other non-home-schooling parents want schools to be located in close
proximity to their homes. Parents, teachers, pastors, administrators, superintendents, and
their staff must work together to educate all SDA children.
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Andrews University
School of Education
REASONS SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PARENTS GAVE FOR
NOT SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
A Dissertation
Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirement for the Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
by
Irma C. LaBorde
April 2007
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
UMI Number: 3262328
Copyright 2007 by
LaBorde, Irma C.
All rights reserved.
INFORMATION TO USERS
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©Copyright by Irma C. LaBorde 2007
All Rights Reserved
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
REASONS SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PARENTS GAVE FOR NOT
SENDING THEIR CHILD OR CHILDREN TO SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
A dissertation
Presented in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Philosophy
by
Irma C. LaBorde
APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE:
- rn_- -
Chair: Duane Covrig \J Dean:N§chool of Education*
James Jeffrey
Sm&io. (SvH.'z.cJex,
Member: Sylvia Gonzalez
Member: Gafy
7
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^
External Examiner:'Sunimal Kulasekere Date approved
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.