Factors associated with successful high school completion among high-poverty, minority populations in south Texas public schools.

摘要

The purpose of the study was to examine the factors associated with the completion of high school among successful students who have come from high poverty, minority backgrounds. A review of literature indicated that four components are generally important factors associated with the successful completion of high school, including motivational, parental, organizational, and community influences. The number of students dropping out of high school may be curtailed through an examination of factors that contribute to the alternative - successful completion of high school.;A mixed methods approach was used to gather data, present findings, and formulate conclusions. First, the study focused quantitatively on descriptive analyses explaining factors that contribute to student success in high school. The first part of the study involved the use of a survey that was developed based on the review of literature, incorporating items on student success from a motivational, parental, organizational, and community standpoint. Univariate Analysis of Variance and Chi-Square Analysis were the techniques used to examine results. Secondly, it focused qualitatively on the factors that contribute to graduating students ranked top of their class. This portion of the study included interviews of graduating students ranked top of their class. The second portion involved the use of an interview questionnaire as a tool for identifying emergent themes characteristic of student success. A total of 250 students were surveyed and twenty students were interviewed in an open-ended semi-structured process.;The quantitative and qualitative findings indicated that student motivational factors are the strongest influence on student success. Frequencies and percentages revealed that the most important student motivational reason for staying in school and completing had to do with future opportunities. Parents who treat their children with love, support, care, and respect was the number one reason that contributed to their success in high school from a parental standpoint. The organizational influence on student success revealed that students agreed that school officials who exhibit love, support, care, and respect were most influential in ensuring their success. Finally, the community was the least influential factor on student success.;The study is significant in that it provides valuable data to school districts, institutions of higher education, and state as well as federal governing bodies. The data may assist in the reduction and prevention of student dropouts. It also outlines factors that influence successful completion of high school and ways to improve the overall graduation rate of students.