Title
Community Perceptions of the Influence of a Christian School on Student Readiness
Date of Award
Summer 7-20-2019
Document Type
Restricted Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate of Education, Ed.D.
College
College of Education
Department
Education
First Advisor
Nicholas J. Markette, Ed.D.
Second Advisor
David Kluth, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Simyka Carlton, Ph.D.
Abstract
This study was conducted with primary community stakeholders consisting of administrators, educators, and parents within a rural Florida community. A qualitative case study methodology was employed to glean the perceptions of the community stakeholder groups of the influence of a Christian school on student readiness for college and career success. The data were gathered using semi structured interviews that were conducted during the summer of 2018. The perceptions of the community stakeholders included the influence of a Christian school on college preparation, career and workplace success, college enrollment, and high school graduation rates. The stakeholder perceptions were assigned a numerical value to enhance and provide a descriptive analysis of the data. The study consisted of a small sample population within the community; however, the findings or conclusions reflected in the data presented an overall positive perception of a Christian school on student readiness. The results of this study may be fundamental for further investigations of the effectiveness of Christian education on student readiness in similar rural communities.