Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Matthews, Jerry
Committee Member
Davis, James
Committee Member
McGrath, Vincent
Committee Member
Lindley, Clyde
Date of Degree
12-13-2008
Document Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Major
Education Administration
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
College
College of Education
Department
Department of Leadership and Foundations
Abstract
The purpose of this mixed-methods case study was to examine teachers’ beliefs toward in-grade retention in a K-2 school. This study focused on how teachers acquire beliefs regarding grade retention, and their knowledge of research regarding the effectiveness of retention. Witmer, Hoffman and Nottis (2004) contend that teacher beliefs toward grade retention may not be based on research, but on peer influence, past practice, or administrative policy. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to examine teacher beliefs in a K- 2 school. Quantitative data were collected through the Teacher Opinion Survey (TOS) and Personal Experiences and Retention Practices (PERP). A total of ten K-2 teachers volunteered to complete the survey instruments. Additionally, six K-2 teachers and the school principal were interviewed to collect qualitative data. Data were analyzed to triangulate the findings. This study concluded that teachers continue to retain students as a remedy for academic failure, contrary to what some researchers like Shepard and Smith (1989), who decried that schools were continuing the practice of retention despite research findings that indicated little or no academic achievement is gained though retention. Findings further indicated that teachers disagreed that retention failed to improve achievement, failed to inspire students to buckle down and behave better, and failed to develop students’ social adjustment and self-concept.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/16248
Recommended Citation
Smith, Charles Edward, "A case study examining teachers' beliefs toward in-grade retention in a K-2 school" (2008). Theses and Dissertations. 31.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/31