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
