The problem of this study was to determine whether differences exist between elementary and middle school campuses that participate in University Interscholastic League (UIL) academic activities and similar campuses that do not participate. The Texas Education Agency Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) furnished data from 1993 through 1997 for this ex post facto comparative research. Using all Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) scores for grades 3 through 8, economically disadvantaged population data, attendance rates and campus accountability ratings, 12 hypotheses and 4 research questions were addressed.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the instructional outcomes in the independent school districts and charter schools in relation to the expenditure of public funds for instruction and total operating expenditures from the general fund. The study considered Texas elementary charter schools and independent school districts, whose school populations were identified as having greater than or equal to 50% of economically disadvantaged students, according to the Texas Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS). The study made use of multiple regression and was an ex post facto cross-sectional analysis utilizing production function theory. The study’s outcomes reported the difference in student achievement between elementary schools in independent public school districts and charter schools were small to negligible for math and reading achievement. The study also reported, there is no statistically significant difference in per pupil expenditure of public funds between elementary schools in independent public school districts and charter schools. Furthermore, there is no statistically significant relationship between student achievement and per pupil expenditure of public funds on elementary schools in independent public school districts and charter schools.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Cette recherche vise à voir s’il existe une différence entre les familles favorisées et celles défavorisées en ce qui concerne le rapport qu’elles entretiennent avec les devoirs à la maison. D’après quelques écrits, la réalisation des devoirs peut être plus difficile en milieu défavorisé (Carvalho, 2009; Cooper, Lindsay et Nye, 2000; Dolle, 2007; Grolnick, Benjet, Kurowski, et Apostoleris, 1997 ; Hoover-Dempsey, Bassler et Brissie, 1992; Kronholz, 1997; Odum, 1994; Scott-Jones, 1984 ; Symeou, 2009), et c’est cette problématique qui est concernée dans ce travail. Les participants sont quatorze parents d’élèves du deuxième cycle du primaire de deux écoles, une dans la région montréalaise (milieu défavorisé) et une dans la région des Laurentides (milieu favorisé). Pour réaliser la comparaison, sept parents de chacun des milieux ont été interviewés à l’aide d’un questionnaire portant sur le processus des devoirs, sur la participation parentale et sur leur sentiment de compétence à aider leur enfant durant les devoirs. Les résultats ont montré que la réalisation des devoirs est plus longue en milieu défavorisé et que les conflits sont plus présents dans ce type de milieu. Aussi, la motivation des enfants à l’égard des devoirs en milieu défavorisé est plus faible, ce qui pourrait expliquer le fait que les parents de ce milieu semblent offrir plus de soutien lors des devoirs. Par ailleurs, le soutien des pères lors des devoirs semble être plus fréquent en milieu favorisé et cette situation pourrait s’expliquer par les conditions de travail plus favorables comparativement à celles des pères en milieu défavorisé. / This study examines the difference between parents from disadvantaged areas and parents in more advantaged areas on their relationship to homework. The parents in lower class families face more obstacles during the homework process (Carvalho, 2009; Cooper, Lindsay et Nye, 2000; Dolle, 2007; Grolnick, Benjet, Kurowski, and Apostoleris, 1997; Hoover-Dempsey, Bassler et Brissie, 1992; Kronholz, 1997; Odum, 1994; Scott-Jones, 1984; Symeou, 2009). The participants were fourteen parents of children in two elementary schools, one in Montreal area (disadvantaged area) and one in the Laurentians (advantaged area). In order to compare, seven parents in each community were interviewed with a questionnaire that addresses issues relating to parental attitudes, opinions, sense of competence and the homework process. Data showed that doing homework is longer in disadvantaged area and conflicts are more prevalent in this area. Also, children’s motivation in disadvantaged area is lower than that of children in the other area. To support their child, parents in disadvantaged area appears to be more involved in homework. In addition, fathers’ support during homework seems to be more common in advantaged area, which would be caused by the fathers’ working conditions that are less favourable in disadvantaged area.

Compared to the general population, socially disadvantaged patients have higher rates of chronic illness and require more complex medical care. They also endorse higher levels of psychological distress and tend to engage in behavioral risk factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and smoking. These issues are particularly concerning given that this population tends to adhere less to medical recommendations, has limited access to health resources, and receives poorer treatment from providers. In an effort to address this disparity, The Affordable Care Act will expand health care access to an additional 23 million uninsured and 17 million underinsured Americans. However, simply expanding access to health care without examining and improving upon factors related to the physician-patient relationship would not fully address the health care needs of this population. This study sought to improve the quality of care received by socially disadvantaged patients by better understanding the role of race and gender on the physician-patient communication process and patient outcomes in a safety net primary care clinic. The study sample consisted of 330 low-income, uninsured/underinsured African American and White patients and 41 resident physicians. Overall, African American patients and their doctors and White doctors and their patients were viewed as engaging in the highest levels of communication. South Asian physicians, and male South Asian physicians in particular, had the lowest levels of communication and the patients of these providers experienced less improvement in their physical health. Patient education level influenced physicians’ perceptions of their patients to the extent that patients with higher educational levels were viewed as engaging in lower levels of communication. Last, indicators of a good physician-patient relationship were associated with higher levels of patient reported adherence. Practice implications and areas for future research are discussed.

The goal of the thesis is describing the value orientation of young people from the socially and culturally disadvantaged surroundings. The thesis is theoretical and empirical and it has a qualitative character. The research pattern are young people who are visiting a low- threshold facility for children and teenagers. We are describing the issue of the age of young people, conception of values, evaluation process, classification of values, value orientation, education to values, moral development of human, socially and culturally disadvantaged surroundings, family, peer groups and the low-threshold facility for children and teenagers in the theoretical part. There was performed an analysis of the value orientation of the selected group of respondents based on the data from semi-structured interview in practical part. The results of research shows that the part of the value orientation of the young people is the family, life in prosperity, free time, education, friends, interest activities, love, surroundings, make own family and responsibility. These parts characterize what is important, valuable and necessary for the respondents.

This thesis focuses on the education of secondary school pupils who are socially disadvantaged. It presents the phenomenon of social disadvantage in the context of education and current legislation. It also describes the current situation and the causes of social disadvantage, particularly the role of the family, and also focuses on pupils and their families from socially excluded localities. A significant amount of space is dedicated to descriptions of the manifestations of social disadvantage in school, the diagnosis of social disadvantage, and the specific education of socially disadvantaged pupils, especially the principles of such education. The goals of this thesis are to demonstrate the effect of social disadvantage on secondary school pupils and to highlight possible solutions to this phenomenon within the education system, the possibilities for support in education, and the role of the school social worker in eliminating the impacts of social disadvantage in education. The thesis also contains case histories of socially disadvantaged female pupils as a demonstration of the professional and important work of the school social worker. KEYWORDS education, social disadvantage, socially disadvantaged pupils, secondary school, social exclusion, school social worker

This diploma thesis provides a historical overview of state's educational policy towards Roma. It describes different approaches from Maria Teresa's governance in 18th century until recent state (spring 2011). The thesis provides analysis of frequently discussed causes of Romani children lower school success and examines tools used to help with their disadvantages. The tools are shown on example of 4 schools in Ostrava. Finally, recommendations for enhancing success of Romani children in education are suggested in the thesis. Key words: Roma Romani children Education Socio-cultural disadvantaged children Educational policy Discrimination Special schools

The Diploma thesis examines social economy area, social entrepreneurship in particular, with focus on integration of disadvantaged groups on Czech Republic labor market. The main objective of the thesis is to identify strengths and weaknesses of the social entrepreneurship and work integration concept with emphasis on legislation, financing and historical and cultural influence as well as suitability of the environment for further progress. Particular attention is given to evaluation of purposiveness of creating work opportunities for disadvantaged groups by social enterprise. The thesis also examines social entrepreneurship environment in selected European countries to find inspiration for improvement or to identify areas to be aware of and avoid them. The analytical part of the theses is focused on Czech Republic, using information data gathered form subject matter experts, or based on information provided by social enterprise representatives. The thesis is concluded with a SWOT analysis delivering complex overview of Czech social enterprise and its prospective opportunities or potential impediments.

The final thesis presents findings of the nongovernmental non-profit organizations' entrepreneurial activities in the Czech Republic. The aim of the thesis was to find out if NGOs fulfil criteria for social firm according to defined standards. NGOs necessarily run a business to get additional money for their activities to substitute diminishing state funds. The research focused on NGOs' entrepreneurship was done by electronic questionnaire within this thesis. Its purpose is to inform about motivation, risks, problems, personal characteristics and financial sustainability of social firms. The study has evidence that none of the respondents from Czech NGOs fully met standards' requirements. The organizations usually are not able to earn at least 50 % of the firm's turnover through sales of goods and services and also 25 - 55 % of the workforce is not disadvantaged in gaining employment.