Determination of the Factors Which Influence Parents to Send Their Children to Catholic Secondary Schools

Date of Graduation

Fall 1996

Degree

Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education

Department

Reading, Foundations, and Technology

Committee Chair

Michael Bell

Abstract

In recent decades parental concerns over the quality of education have changed considerably, parents are looking beyond academic programs and focusing on value-oriented academic programs. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence parents to send their children to a Catholic secondary school. A questionnaire was completed by parents with children attending a Catholic secondary school in southwest Missouri. It was concluded that the three most influential factors parents consider when choosing to send their children to a Catholic secondary school were 1.) academic programs, 2.) religious affiliation, and 3.) safe environment. Students do not attend this Catholic secondary school primarily because of a family tradition. This study also found a high level of parental involvement in their children's education and the overall operations of the school, resulting in a strong feeling of school ownership among parents and students.

Subject Categories

Education

Copyright

© D. Katherine Seastead

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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