Theses and Dissertations
Filtering by
- Creators: Division of Teacher Preparation
The purpose of this study was to bring new information to the field of education research on graduation rates and school programming. Research on graduation rates and the effects of school programs exist, however there is not an abundance of research aimed specifically at Title I high schools. The goal was to find what school characteristics might impact graduation rates in this population. The thesis focused on Title I high schools in the Phoenix Union District with a graduating 2019 class of at least 250 students. This limited the effect of variability (school size, location, socioeconomic status). To research this topic, school characteristics were selected including course rigor, mentor programs, and college prep programs, as well as specific schools. To obtain the information, multiple sources were used including the Arizona Department of Education website, school websites, and school administrators/staff. The research revealed that the effect of course rigor, college prep programs, and mentorship on graduation rates in Phoenix Union High Schools is not apparent. Further research should be conducted into other possible causes for the gaps in graduation rates between the Title I high schools in this district. Future research on ELL students and programs in the Phoenix Union district and their effectiveness or lack thereof is also recommended. The research shows that this large demographic negatively correlates with the overall graduation rates at the six schools researched.
Honors colleges are recognizing the need for diversity in their student populations and are taking steps toward that end. However, disabled students are still underrepresented in honors collegiate student bodies. Through a series of open-ended questions posed to thirty-five students enrolled in Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, this study will examine how experiences with family, school personnel, and peers during their grade school (K-12) years effect a student’s choice to enroll in an honors college. This study will briefly explore how the intersection of factors such as race/ethnicity, sex, gender, and disability impacted these experiences. Finally, implications for collegiate honors programs and for grade school teachers and the families of children with disabilities will be discussed. Areas for future research will be considered.