ERIC Number: EJ1360191
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1492-1154
EISSN: EISSN-1911-8279
Available Date: N/A
The Experiences of Low German-Speaking Mennonite Men in Alternative Education Programs in Southwestern Ontario
Brubacher, Cameron; Wilson-Forsberg, Stacey
Journal of Teaching and Learning, v11 n1 p1-19 2017
The tradition of leaving high school and finding full-time employment after grade 8 has put Low German-speaking (LGS) Mennonites in rural Southwestern Ontario in a vulnerable economic position. Consequently, alternative education programs have been developed by Ontario public school boards in areas containing high numbers of LGS Mennonites. The programs strive to keep LGS Mennonite youth in school by creating spaces where primarily male LGS Mennonite students feel more comfortable and can pursue a high school diploma while maintaining their religious beliefs, cultural identity, and work responsibilities. This article draws from qualitative interview data and open-ended survey responses to explore perceptions of LGS Mennonite men's experiences in alternative education programs, and it highlights factors that caused the men to avoid or leave the programs. This article offers recommendations on how to strengthen the programs to increase the number of LGS Mennonite students attending them. It emphasizes the importance of LGS Mennonite students receiving strong messages from educators that their language, culture, and religious beliefs are valued even if that means separating the youth from Canadian society rather than integrating them on equal terms to minimize their marginalization.
Descriptors: German, Native Language, Religious Cultural Groups, Nontraditional Education, Males, Educational Experience, Program Development, Student Attitudes, Foreign Countries, Teacher Student Relationship, Rural Areas, Educational Attainment, Dropouts, Religious Factors, High School Equivalency Programs, Language Maintenance, Cultural Maintenance
Journal of Teaching and Learning. 401 Sunset Ave.
Faculty of Education, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9B 3P4. Tel: 519-253-3000 Ext. 4068; e-mail: jtl@uwindsor.ca; Web site: https://ojs.uwindsor.ca/index.php/JTL
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education; High Schools; High School Equivalency Programs; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A