The Meaning of Educational Travel in the Lives of Urban Middle School Students in a Low-Income Neighborhood: A Transformative, Sequential Mixed Methods Study

<p>This transformative, explanatory, sequential mixed methods study addresses a gap in the literature regarding the meaning of educational travel in the lives of urban youth in a low-income neighborhoods. The framework for this study stems from educational travel, culturally responsive teaching, effective middle level education (AMLE), and experiential learning. First, a quantitative phase examined data from former travelers (n = 344) compared to non-travelers (n = 6,100) at Harold Middle School from 2003 to 2011. Academic achievement data examined consist of: American College Test (ACT) scores, Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) scale scores, and grade point averages (GPA). School engagement data examined include: graduation rates, attendance rates, and suspensions. The results indicated a statistically significant difference between the travelers and the non-travelers in all variables except CSAP. Next, a qualitative phase consisting of interviews with former travelers (n = 9), and an adult chaperone focus group (n = 8) provided insights into the meaning of travel. The findings of the qualitative phase provide design structures and outcomes for short-term educational travel with middle school youth. The data analysis and integration is viewed using the transformative paradigm (Mertens, 2009).</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Olson, Carrie Arlene

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bruce Uhrmacher, Ph.D.
• Kathy Green
• Nicole Joseph

• Culturally responsive teaching
• Educational travel
• Low-income youth
• Middle level education
• Mixed methods
• Transformative paradigm
• Education

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1204

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-2204