Student mobility and teachers' grade promotion decisions.

In recent years America has witnessed a major shift in its population to various geographic regions. Educators have speculated on the effects of this frequent migration on students' academic and social advancement. Educators have also been interested in the effects of grade retention on academic and social advancement. Despite research on each of these factors, no investigations have addressed these factors in conjunction with each other. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high student mobility on classroom teachers' promotion-retention decisions. Additionally, other factors that may influence classroom teachers' promotion-retention decisions were examined. Two hundred twelve elementary school teachers evaluated two case studies: one of a highly mobile student, and one of a non-mobile student. Each subsequently made a decision to either retain or promote that student. Both first grade and fifth grade students were considered. Each case study was identical for each grade level with the exception of the number of schools attended. Although the retention-promotion decisions did not differ significantly for first grade students, the teachers chose to retain the mobile fifth grade student more frequently than the non-mobile fifth grade student. Examination of various factors on a retention questionnaire revealed that different factors emerged as most important to the teachers when making promotion-retention decisions. The factors differed for both grade level and mobility status. The results were discussed in relation to interventions that may be warranted in an attempt to alleviate disadvantages in entering a new school. Further investigation of the mobile student-grade retention relationship was indicated. Additional investigation of the highly mobile minority student was also emphasized.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Foundations and Administration

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Arizona.

Year dc:date.issued

1989

Author dc:creator

• Kapp, Ronald Charles.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mishra, Shitala

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Sabers, Darrell
• Franklin, Melbin

• Student mobility -- United States.
• Students -- United States -- Rating of.

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10150/184755

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/184755