African-American student perceptions of their parents' and guardians' attitudes towards education and academic achievement

The purpose of this study was to examine African-American student perceptions of their parents' and guardians' attitudes towards education and academic achievement at five urban schools in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. One hundred four sixth grade African-American students responded to 28 statements about their personal beliefs and attitudes as well as their perceptions of their parents' and guardians' attitudes towards learning and education. Fourteen statements on the survey invited students to consider their personal thoughts and opinions about school and academic achievement; 14 statements also required students to predict their parents' and guardians' attitudes and feelings about the same or similar educational concerns. The Likert scale was used as a measurement method for assessing student responses. Information from this study established significant common factors among students and their interpretations of their parents' and guardians' attitudes regarding academic achievement. The survey results shed light on the complex relationships between messages students hear and beliefs they deemed were actually held by parents and guardians. Convictions students believe were espoused by primary caregivers may affect their own opinions about the value of education and their performance at school.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education (UMKC)

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Missouri--Kansas City

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Connor, Julie Ann

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Smith, Dianne, 1957-

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10355/12552

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/12552