Analyzing the Dropout Phenomenon: A Qualitative Study on the Lived Early School Experiences of ...

196 Pages·2016·2.72 MB·English

UC San Diego
UC San Diego Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Title
Analyzing the Dropout Phenomenon: A Qualitative Study on the Lived Early School
Experiences of Students with Learning Disabilities and its Impact on High School Completion
Permalink
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2mx331bx
Author
Harris, Joy Renae
Publication Date
2016

Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation
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University of California
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

Analyzing the Dropout Phenomenon:
A Qualitative Study on the Lived Early School Experiences of Students with Learning
Disabilities and its Impact on High School Completion

A dissertation submitted in satisfaction of the requirements
for the degree Doctor of Education

in
Educational Leadership
by
Joy Renae Harris

Committee in charge:
California State University San Marcos
Professor Dr. Erika Daniels, Chair
Professor Dr. Carol Van Vooren

University of California, San Diego
Professor Dr. Amanda Datnow

2016
The Dissertation of Joy Renae Harris is approved, and it is acceptable in quality and form
for publication on microfilm and electronically:

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Chair

University of California, San Diego
California State University, San Marcos
2016

iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

SIGNATURE PAGE ......................................................................................................... iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix
LIST OF TABLES ...............................................................................................................x
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. xi
VITA ................................................................................................................................. xii
ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION ........................................................................ xiii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................1
Statement of the Problem .........................................................................................2
Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................5
Research Questions ..................................................................................................6
Methodology ............................................................................................................6
Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................7
Student Voice Theory ..................................................................................8
Self-Determination Theory ..........................................................................8
Significance of the Study .......................................................................................11
Key Terms ..............................................................................................................12
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ...........................................14
Context ...................................................................................................................14
Definition ...................................................................................................16
The Cost of Dropping Out .........................................................................20
Formative Studies on Graduation Outcomes .............................................21
Policies on Graduation Outcomes ..............................................................22
General Factors Affecting Early School Departure ...............................................24
Parental and Familial Experience Outside the School Environment .........26
Early School Experiences ......................................................................................27
Academic Performance in Elementary School ..........................................29
School Engagement ...................................................................................32
iv
Student-to-Teacher Relationships ..............................................................32
Peer Relationships ......................................................................................33
Attendance .................................................................................................34
Secondary School Experiences ..............................................................................35
Academic Performance in Middle and High School .................................36
Attitudes and Beliefs During Transitions ..................................................36
Peer Relationships ......................................................................................38
Transition and Career Planning .................................................................38
Dropout Prevention Programs................................................................................39
The Availability of Dropout Prevention Programs ....................................41
The Effectiveness of Dropout Prevention Programs .................................42
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................46
Purpose of Study ....................................................................................................46
Research Questions ................................................................................................47
Design of the Study ............................................................................................... 47
Justification of Methods Design ............................................................................50
Theoretical Framework ..........................................................................................50
Student Voice Theory ................................................................................50
Self-Determination Theory ........................................................................51
Context ...................................................................................................................53
Demographics ............................................................................................53
Student Achievement .................................................................................54
Procedures ..............................................................................................................56
Participant Selection .............................................................................................57
Participant Profiles .................................................................................................57
Participant Profiles: At-Risk Cohort ......................................................................59
Data Collection .....................................................................................................60
Interviews ...................................................................................................61
Records Review .........................................................................................61
Data Analysis .........................................................................................................62
v
Interpretation of Results .........................................................................................64
Ethical Considerations ...........................................................................................65
Limitations .............................................................................................................66
Positionality ...............................................................................................66
Generalizability ..........................................................................................67
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS ..........................................................................................68
Data Presentation ...................................................................................................70
Context .......................................................................................................70
Procedure ...................................................................................................72
Data Results & Analysis…… ................................................................................74
Central Research Question .........................................................................80
Theme 1: Relationships with Adults ..............................................81
Subtheme 1A: Relationships with Teachers/Staff .............82
Subtheme 1B: Relationships with Special Education
Case Manager and/or School Counselor .....88
Subtheme 1C: Relationships with Parents/Family .............90
Theme 2: School Transitions .........................................................93
Subtheme 2A: The General Education to Special
Education Transition ..................................93
Subtheme 2B: The Elementary to Middle School
Transition ..................................................97
Subtheme 2C: The Middle to High School Transition ......99
Theme 3: Relationships with Friends ..........................................102
Non-Conclusive Data Findings ....................................................103
Research Sub-Question ............................................................................105
Theme 1: Learning Challenges from School Experiences ...........109
Theme 1A: Negative School Experiences .......................110
Theme 1B: Positive School Experiences .........................113
Theme 2: School Transitions .......................................................114
Subtheme 2A: The General Education to Special
vi
Education Transition ................................115
Subtheme 2B: The Elementary to Middle School
Transition .................................................116
Subtheme 2C: The Middle to High School
Transition ..................................................117
Summary of Data Analysis…….. ........................................................................120
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS ..........................................................123
Overview of the Problem .........................................................................123
Methodology ............................................................................................125
Review of the Findings: Central Research Question ...............................128
Theme 1: Relationships with Adults ............................................129
Theme 2: School Transitions .......................................................133
Theme 3: Relationships with Friends ..........................................135
Review of Findings: Research Sub-Question ..........................................137
Theme 1: Learning Difficulties ....................................................138
Theme 2: School Transition .........................................................140
Review of Additional Findings ................................................................143
Recommendations for Administrators .....................................................144
Limitations ...............................................................................................150
Generalizability ............................................................................151
Positionality .................................................................................152
Implications for Policy & Leadership ......................................................152
Supportive Student-to-Teacher Relationships .............................152
Effective Transition Experiences .................................................153
Positive Relationships with Friends .............................................155
Academic Interventions for At-Risk Students .............................155
Implications for Social Justice .................................................................156
Recommendations for Future Research ...................................................157
APPENDIX A: Parent/Guardian Consent to Participate in Research .............................159
APPENDIX B: Assent to Participate in Research ...........................................................161
vii
APPENDIX C: Student Interview Protocol .....................................................................162
APPENDIX D: Student Profiles ......................................................................................164
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................171

viii
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1. Percentage of methods estimating high school graduation rates ....................18
Figure 3.1. Diagram of methodology design. ...................................................................49
Figure 3.2. Intersection of research questions and theoretical frameworks. .....................52
Figure 3.3. Ethnicity of Ramona High School ..................................................................54
Figure 3.4. Ramona High School student achievement according to AP score by
school year ......................................................................................................55
Figure 3.5. Sample researcher data from coded tables .....................................................65
Figure 4.1. Themes and subthemes that emerged from the data .......................................78
Figure 4.3. Themes related to the research questions .......................................................80
Figure 4.5. Hierarchy of themes and subthemes for At-Risk cohort ..............................109
Figure 5.1. Themes and theories to address research questions .....................................126
Figure 5.2. Factors for successful graduation outcomes of students with learning
disabilities .....................................................................................................145

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