ED346595 EA024035

 

Title: Toward an Ecological Perspective on School Choice.
Author(s): Bauch, Patricia A.
Pages: 55
Publication Date: April 1992
Notes: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (San Francisco, CA, April 20-24, 1992). Research was supported by the National Catholic Educational Association, the Spencer Fellowship Program of the National Academy of Education, The Catholic University of America and The University of Alabama.
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC03 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: Reports--Research (143); Speeches/meeting papers (150)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Alabama
Journal Announcement: RIENOV1992

Findings from a study that examined the relationship between school choice and parent involvement for different ethnic groups are presented in this paper. In conjunction with a major national study of Catholic high schools, parents were asked about their reasons for school choice, type of school involvement, motivations, barriers to participation, and school satisfaction. Methodology involved surveys of a total of 1,070 predominantly low-income parents (a 60 percent response rate), interviews, and classroom observations at five innercity Catholic schools in Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Findings indicate that minority parents' concerns, especially those of Hispanic parents, centered around the school environment. Location and discipline were major reasons for choosing a school. More involvement facilitated increased knowledge of the school; however, increased involvement did not necessarily lead to greater school satisfaction. A conclusion is that the ecology of the school is more important than instruction-related issues. Seven tables are included. (50 references) (LMI)

Descriptors: Catholic Schools; *Educational Environment; Elementary Secondary Education; Minority Groups; *Parent Attitudes; *Parent Participation; *Parent School Relationship; Private Education; *School Choice