This study focuses on the relationship between high school students' level of satisfaction, students' academic achievement, and their level to remain in school. Many studies and researchers have been blaming the school system for its failure to recognize that variables or factors outside the school environment are taking place and affecting students' level of satisfaction, academic achievement, and their interest to remain in school and complete a high school diploma. This study focuses on the base of students' perceptions or expectations regarding their school environment and an examination of significant correlations among variables that might distinguish particular factors. A Likert Rating Scale was used to measure students' level of satisfaction and their interest to remain in school. It was administered to 282 students. Student achievement was measured by their grades upon entering high school and the grades they received at the end of the marking period. The statistical analyses included frequencies for all variables, Chi-Squares, t-Test and Analyses of Variance, and multiple correlations. Four specific research questions guided the study. The analysis of the open-ended section of the survey instrument provided evidence that the students feel responsible for their success or failure in school. They acknowledge other sources that are interfering with their school work: lack of time to complete homework and personal/family problems, as well as peer pressure. Students' responses showed evidence of satisfaction with the school environment. The more favorable the school environment is, the more likely students are to remain in school and move ahead. Students perceive their parents' interest in their education is a main element in their satisfaction and motivation to remain in school. Students' part-time and full-time jobs could contribute to both students' level of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. It provides some valuable skills to the students, but in some cases it creates obstacles that make students fall behind in school. Students' level of satisfaction was indeed related to students' academic achievement and their interest to remain in school. They do want to finish high school.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UMASS/oai:scholarworks.umass.edu:dissertations-7847 |
| Date | 01 January 1990 |
| Creators | Larregui Sanchez, Julio D |
| Publisher | ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst |
| Source Sets | University of Massachusetts, Amherst |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest |
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