a phenomenological study of the lived experiences of hispanic females in advanced placement

191 Pages·2017·1.85 MB·English

A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE
LIVED EXPERIENCES OF HISPANIC FEMALES IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT
COURSES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOLS

by
Laura Christine MacKenzie
Liberty University

A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Education

Liberty University
2018
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A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE
LIVED EXPERIENCES OF HISPANIC FEMALES IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT
COURSES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOLS
by Laura Christine MacKenzie

A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Education

Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
2018

APPROVED BY:
Fred A. Milacci, D.Ed, Committee Chair
Andrew Milacci, Ph.D., Committee Member
Floralba Arbelo-Marrero, Ed.D, Committee Member
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ABSTRACT
This transcendental phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of Southern
California, Hispanic female high school graduates who were enrolled in AP courses while in
high school. The life experiences for Hispanic women have been largely ignored by the
literature, with much of the research on Hispanics primarily focused on the achievement gap,
dropout rates, or giftedness. Although they may excel academically, many high-achieving
Hispanic women do not reach their full potential. Often high-achieving Hispanic females find it
difficult to reconcile the discrepancy between the culture, familial expectations and roles, and
their own personal ambitions. The following four research questions framed this study: “How do
Hispanic female graduates from Southern California high schools describe their experiences in
AP classes?, How do participants describe the role their family culture, cultural heritage, and
American culture has in their academic experiences?, What relationship do participants describe
between their gender and their academic experiences?, and How do participants describe the
intersection of class, gender and culture as impacting their academic experiences? A Chicana
feminist lens and Bandura’s social learning theory were used to examine the findings. Findings
of this study showed three themes: high-achieving Hispanic women in high school AP classes
experienced a bi-cultural conflict between Hispanic culture and American culture, the familismo,
and the environment of the AP courses themselves played a significant role in their academic
success.
Keywords: Hispanic females, Latina, high achieving, advanced placement, Chicana
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Copyright Page

Copyright Laura MacKenzie
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Dedication
This dissertation is first dedicated to all the students I have loved and taught, but
most especially to the Brawley Union High School AP English Literature Class of 2013,
who challenged me to pursue my dream of a doctorate. Second, to my high-achieving
Hispanic female students who inspired this research study, thank you for challenging and
motivating me to be a better teacher and person.
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Acknowledgments
I would like to first thank my husband and my children for their support and
encouragement throughout the past several years. I would not have started, nor been able to
finish, this degree without my husband’s support, encouragement, and belief in me. I love you.
I also want to thank Dr. Fred Milacci, my dissertation chair. Your guidance, advice, and
instruction have been invaluable. Thank you for your patience, your honesty, and your
willingness to take me and my project on. Thank you to my committee members, Dr. Floralba
Arbelo and Dr. Andrew Milacci, for your support, advice, and insights.
To my classmate Brandy Huguet, thank you for support and encouragement and belief
that I can do this, not to mention all the technical support you helped with. I’m not sure I would
have survived the emotional journey without your texts of encouragement and prayers!
A HUGE “Thank You” to my former student, Veronica Garcia (BUHS class of ’16),
whose help was so valuable, and without which this dissertation would not have been completed.
Finally, I want to thank my participants for sharing their experiences so openly with me.
Ladies, your strength, your drive to accomplish your dreams and succeed despite all odds,
humbles, amazes, and inspires me. Thank you for trusting me to tell your story to the world.
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Table of Contents
ABSTRACT .....................................................................................................................................3
Copyright Page.................................................................................................................................4
Dedication ........................................................................................................................................5
Acknowledgments............................................................................................................................6
List of Tables .................................................................................................................................12
List of Figures ................................................................................................................................13
List of Abbreviations .....................................................................................................................14
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................15
Overview ............................................................................................................................15
Background ........................................................................................................................16
Situation to Self..................................................................................................................20
Problem Statement .............................................................................................................22
Purpose Statement ..............................................................................................................23
Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................26
Empirically .............................................................................................................26
Theoretically ..........................................................................................................27
Practically ..............................................................................................................28
Research Questions ............................................................................................................28
Definitions..........................................................................................................................30
Summary ............................................................................................................................32
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................33
Overview ............................................................................................................................33
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Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................34
Chicana Feminism .................................................................................................34
Social Learning Theory..........................................................................................39
Related Literature...............................................................................................................40
Hispanics and Government Policy .........................................................................40
The Achievement Gap ...........................................................................................45
Hispanic Culture and Women ................................................................................49
Hispanics and Education ........................................................................................51
Advanced Placement in High Schools ...................................................................53
Hispanic Students and Advanced Placement .........................................................56
Low Income Hispanic AP Students .......................................................................58
High-Achieving Hispanic Females ........................................................................61
Gaps in the Literature/Purpose of the Study ..........................................................64
Summary ............................................................................................................................64
CHAPTER THREE: METHODS ..................................................................................................66
Overview ............................................................................................................................66
Design ................................................................................................................................66
Research Questions ............................................................................................................69
Setting ................................................................................................................................69
Participants .........................................................................................................................72
Procedures ..........................................................................................................................73
The Researcher's Role ........................................................................................................75
Data Collection ..................................................................................................................76
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Interviews ...............................................................................................................76
Cognitive Representation .......................................................................................78
Written Prompt Responses .....................................................................................79
Focus Groups .........................................................................................................79
Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................80
Epoche....................................................................................................................80
Phenomenological Reduction ................................................................................81
Variation and Synthesis of Meanings ....................................................................81
Trustworthiness ..................................................................................................................82
Credibility ..............................................................................................................82
Dependability and Confirmability .........................................................................83
Transferability ........................................................................................................83
Ethical Considerations .......................................................................................................84
Summary ............................................................................................................................84
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS .....................................................................................................85
Overview ............................................................................................................................85
Participants .........................................................................................................................85
Participant Overview .............................................................................................85
Estefanie .................................................................................................................90
Gloria .....................................................................................................................91
Rebecca ..................................................................................................................92
Imelda ....................................................................................................................92
Linda ......................................................................................................................93
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Maria ......................................................................................................................94
Jasmine ...................................................................................................................95
Rita .........................................................................................................................96
Serena .....................................................................................................................97
Ana .........................................................................................................................98
Deseray ..................................................................................................................99
Veronica .................................................................................................................99
Results ..............................................................................................................................100
Theme Development ........................................................................................................101
Theme One: Bi-Cultural Conflict ........................................................................102
Theme Two: Familismo .......................................................................................107
Theme Three: AP Environment ...........................................................................128
Summary ..........................................................................................................................155
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION..............................................................................................157
Overview ..........................................................................................................................157
Summary of Findings .......................................................................................................157
Discussion ........................................................................................................................158
Balancing Between Cultures ................................................................................158
Academic Preparedness .......................................................................................162
Implications......................................................................................................................164
Recommendations ................................................................................................164
Delimitations and Limitations ..........................................................................................167
Recommendations for Future Research ...........................................................................169