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ERIC ED440766: Partnerships at the Middle Level: Perceptions of Family Members, Community Members, and Teachers. PDF

391 Pages·1998·3.1 MB·English
by  ERIC
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 440 766 PS 028 513 AUTHOR Musser, Patricia Maureen Partnerships at the Middle Level: Perceptions of Family TITLE Members, Community Members, and Teachers. PUB DATE 1998-00-00 NOTE 395p.; Ph.D. Dissertation, Portland State University. UMI Dissertation Services, 300 North Zeeb Road, P.O. Box AVAILABLE FROM 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346. PUB TYPE Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations (041) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC16 Plus Postage. *Community Attitudes; Community Responsibility; Community DESCRIPTORS Role; Focus Groups; Middle School Teachers; Middle Schools; *Parent Attitudes; Parent Responsibility; Parent Role; *Parent School Relationship; Parent Teacher Cooperation; Parents; *Partnerships in Education; *School Community Relationship; *Teacher Attitudes; Teacher Responsibility; Teacher Role Ecological Perspective; *Parent Community Relationship IDENTIFIERS ABSTRACT Recognizing the need for family, school, and community members to participate in partnerships to support middle level children, this study investigated the perceptions of family members, community members, and middle school teachers regarding their relationships with each other from a perspective that views all three groups as integral parts of a complex ecological system with equal standing. Six focus group interviews were conducted with groups of 3 to 8 persons, with group interviews conducted separately for parents of middle school students, middle school teachers, and community mem7-r1 who irevolved with middle school students. A total of 15 family members, 12 teachers, and 6 community members participated in the study. The findings provided insights as to how participants' views of their roles and responsibility with children influenced how they see their role in working with other adults. Three areas were identified that influence the participants' perceptions of their roles in working together: (1) development (2) lack of communication; and (3) value of the relationship itself; conflicts. Findings support recommendations for civic leaders, community members working directly with middle school children, educational leaders, family members, teacher educators, and educational administration educators. (Eight appendices include data collection instruments, a matrix of findings, and suggestions for starting a family involvement program. Contains approximately 115 references.) (KB) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. PS U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as eceived from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. PARTNERSHIPS AT THE MIDDLE LEVEL: PERCEPTIONS OF FAMILY MEMBERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND TEACHERS by PATRICIA MAUREEN MUSSER A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DOCTOR OF EDUCATION DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY in EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP: ADMINISTRATION TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 1 Portland State University (01998 2 BLE BEST COPY AVM DISSERTATION APPROVAL The abstract and dissertation of Patricia Maureen Musser for the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership: Administration were presented April 29, 1998, and accepted by the dissertation committee and the doctoral program. COMMITTEE APPROVALS: di.664Aw7 de la Cruzo Emily Sapu 1 D. Henry A' 1111) Eli abeth D. Steinberg'r e Robert C. C. Liebman Representative of the Office of Graduate Studies DOCTORAL PROGRAM APPROVAL: Robert B. Everhart, Dean School of Education 3 An abstract of the dissertation of Patricia Maureen Musser for the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership: Administration presented April 29, 1998. Partnerships at the Middle Level: Perceptions of Title: Family Members, Community Members, and Teachers The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of family members, community members, and middle level teachers regarding their relationships with each other from a perspective that views all three groups as integral parts of a complex ecological system with The purpose for developing relationships equal standing. is to support children's academic achievement and healthy development, not just in school, but also in life. Both the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development (1989) report and the National Middle School Association (1995) recognize the need for family, school, and community members to participate in partnerships to support middle level children. The research questions that guided the study are: (a) What are the perceptions of family members, community members, and teachers regarding their current roles in working with each other to benefit middle level students? 2 and (b) What are the perceptions of family members, community members, and teachers regarding what their roles should be in working with each other to benefit middle level students? The ecological model of human development formulated by Bronfenbrenner (1979), provided the overarching The symbolic theoretical framework for the study. interactionist orientation guided the study design. Separate focus groups with family members, community members who work with middle level children, and middle level teachers were used to generate data to answer the research questions. The findings provide insights as to how family members, community members, and teachers view their roles In particular, how the in working with each other. participants view their roles and responsibilities with children shape how they see their roles in working with other adults. Three areas were identified that influence the participants' perceptions of their roles in working The degree of the development of the together: relationship itself and two problematic areas which need to be negotiated to improve the relationship--lack of Recommendations which communication and value conflicts. flow from the findings are addressed to civic leaders, 3 community members who work directly with middle level children, educational leaders (including principals and district leaders), family members, teacher educators, and educational administration educators. Areas are suggested for additional research. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii LIST OF TABLES xiii LIST OF FIGURES xv CHAPTER BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM. I 1 Introduction 1 Purpose and Problem Statement 3 Need for the Study 6 Definition of Terms 6 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE II 13 Introduction 13 Theoretical Models of Family, School, and Community Relationships 16 The Protective Model The School-to-Home Transmission Model The Curriculum Enrichment Model The Partnership Model The Overlapping Spheres of Influence Model Summary Typologies of Family, School, and Community Involvement 22 Epstein's Typology of Family, School, and Community Involvement Swap's Typology of Family, School, and Community Involvement The Relationship of Family, School, and Community Involvement on Student's Healthy Development and Academic Achievement- - Application of an Ecological Framework 31 Relationship of the Home Environment to Student's Healthy Development and Achievement Family Involvement at School Role of Community Involvement to Student's Healthy Development and Achievement Summary Factors that Shape the Formation of Partnerships at the Middle Level: Obstacles and Opportunities 48 Middle School: Obstacles and Opportunities Family Perceptions: Obstacles and Opportunities Teacher Perspectives: Obstacles and Opportunities Community Perceptions: Obstacles and Opportunities Effective Middle Level Schools 65 . . . . The Middle School Philosophy Effective Middle Level Schools Synthesis of the Literature Review . 72 The Research Question 75 The Research Questions RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY III 77 Introduction 77 vi Symbolic Interactionism 77 Researcher as an Instrument Study Design 81 Methodological Choice of Focus Groups Pilot and Review of Instruments Focus Group Procedures Number of Focus Groups Participant Verification Ethical Considerations Site, Participant Selection, and Participant Background 93 Considerations Leading to the Selection of River Middle School as the Site of the Study Overview of Participant Selection and Recruitment Procedures Family Member Recruitment and Background Information Teacher Recruitment and Background Information Community Member Recruitment and Background Information Data Analysis 122 Sources of Data Focus Group Data Analysis The Study's Limitations 125 IV FINDINGS OF FAMILY MEMBERS' PERCEPTIONS OF WORKING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND TEACHERS TO BENEFIT MIDDLE LEVEL CHILDREN 129 Introduction 129 Family Members' Perceptions of Relationships with Community Members and Teachers 131 History of Interactions vii Family Members' Relationships with Community Members Family Members' Relationships with Teachers Family Members' Perceptions Regarding Responsibilities in Relationships Between Family Members/Community Members and Family Members/Teachers. 140 Family Members' Views of Their Responsibilities in Relationships with Community Members Family Members' Views of Community Members' Responsibilities in the Relationships Family Members' Views of Their Responsibilities in Relationships with Teachers Family Members' Views of Teachers' Responsibilities in Relationships Summary Family Members' Perceptions of Obstacles to the Development of Partnerships 149 Family Members' Views of Obstacles Presented by Society and Social Problems Within the Community Family Members' Views of Obstacles to the Development of Partnerships with Local Community Members Family Members' Views of Obstacles to the Development of Partnerships with Teachers Summary Family Members' Perceptions Regarding what Would Facilitate Partnership Relations Among the Participant Groups 158 Chapter Summary 159

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