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ETD Abstract Container

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What Parents Expect of Urban Catholic Schools and How These Schools Address Parents’ Expectations to Make Needed Change

El Ghazal, Antoine Joseph
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1147302559

Abstract Details

2006, EdD, University of Cincinnati, Education : Urban Educational Leadership.
Several studies have dug into the secrets of Catholic education, the mission of Catholic schools, and the relationship between parents and Catholic schools (Warren, Young & Hanifin, 2003; McLaughlin, 2002; Wojcicki, 2001; Archer, 2000; Bryk, Lee & Holland, 1993; Convey, 1992). Other studies have examined recently the disturbances of urban Catholic schools closings (O’Keefe, 2005; Coday, 2005; Greeley, 2005; Zehr, 2005; Zimmerman, 2005; O’Keefe & Evans, 2004; Cattaro, 2002b). However, very few looked at parents’ expectations of and experiences with Catholic schools in urban settings. Little information was provided as well about how administrators in urban Catholic schools use parents’ input to make needed change. This study used qualitative methods to explore the stories of parents in three urban elementary Catholic schools that serve children coming mostly from low-income families – Catholic and non-Catholic alike – in the American Midwest. To understand parents’ expectations, this study used field observations, school archival data, and the transcripts of structured interviews with 30 parents, 5 teachers, and 3 principals. This research attempted to answer three questions: What do parents expect of their urban Catholic schools? Are urban Catholic schools meeting parents’ expectations? How are urban Catholic schools changing to address parents’ expectations or concerns? It was brought to light that parents expected urban Catholic schools to provide well-rounded education, strong discipline, sound religion classes, and a safe environment. They expected the Catholic school to reinforce the moral teaching that they provided to their children at home, and to communicate with them through conferences, calls, and notes about their children’s academic, behavioral, and spiritual development. Parents also expected teachers to be patient and understanding, fair and firm, dedicated and interested in their job. Parents who said that they were involved with their children’s education asserted that they were satisfied with what the schools offer and wished their children had more extracurricular activities. Parents who experience a major financial pressure to send their children to Catholic schools in urban settings firmly believe that educators listen to what they have to say and take what they expect into consideration to make needed change.
Dr. Nancy Evers (Advisor)
205 p.
Education, Administration
Urban Catholic Schools.; Parents&8217; expectations.; Change.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • El Ghazal, A. J. (2006). What Parents Expect of Urban Catholic Schools and How These Schools Address Parents’ Expectations to Make Needed Change [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1147302559

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • El Ghazal, Antoine. What Parents Expect of Urban Catholic Schools and How These Schools Address Parents’ Expectations to Make Needed Change. 2006. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1147302559.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • El Ghazal, Antoine. "What Parents Expect of Urban Catholic Schools and How These Schools Address Parents’ Expectations to Make Needed Change." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1147302559

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.