Graduate Research

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Browsing Graduate Research by Author "Blair, Paul"

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    Perceived Barriers to High School Graduation Surrounding 12th-Grade Students at Selected High Schools in Northeast Tennessee
    (2020-04-30) Blair, Paul; Kariuki, Patrick
    The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate 12th graders, in select high schools within Northeast Tennessee, who struggled to achieve the necessary requirements towards graduation. The population consisted of students from a rural school and a semi-urban school. The participants consisted of 31 students, 6 teachers, 4 counselors, 5 administrators, and 7 parents. Data were collected using one-on-one interviews with students, teachers, counselors, and administrators. Questionnaires were given to parents whose students attended one of the participating schools and who chose to participate in a one-on-one interview. Data were analyzed inductively with the help of Dedoose -- one of many qualitative data analysis software packages available. The results yielded five themes; (a) a need for better student-faculty relationships; (b) a reworking of the school day and schedule of classes; (c) an awareness of changes at the student’s home is needed; (d) equity in access to information and technology is lacking; (e) school-home communication needs to be more prevalent and effective. The results suggest providing equitable access to technology-related equipment, re-working compulsory requirements for graduation, re-working the hours of the school day, creating an inviting parent space at the school which is separate from the main office, and more meaningful teacher and administrator connections with students may result in a reduction in barriers to students’ successful on-time attainment of a high school diploma. Keywords: high school dropout, educational access equity, teacher-student relationships, graduation barriers, graduation rate, high school family connections