ERIC Number: ED303535
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1987-Nov
Pages: 138
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Building Commitment among Students and Teachers: An Exploratory Study of Ten Urban High Schools.
Firestone, William A.; And Others
This report explores the commitment of students and teachers to the educational enterprise in ten urban comprehensive high schools in Baltimore (Maryland), Newark (New Jersey), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), and Washington (District of Columbia). Data were analyzed from interviews conducted in each school with the principal, assistant principals, a counselor, teachers and department heads from a variety of departments, and a high- and low-achieving ninth or tenth grade and senior student. Additional interviews were conducted with central office staff in each city. Major variables explored include the following: (1) district characteristics; (2) school characteristics; (3) interactions among teachers and students; and (4) teacher and student commitment. Major findings include the following: (1) student and teacher commitment are closely interrelated; (2) factors which affect the commitment of both students and teachers include relevance, respect, support, expectations, and influence; and (3) each of these factors can be reflected in a series of programmatic and administrative actions at both the district and the school level. Recommendations for ways to adjust these school and district factors to build commitment are included. Illustrative material is included on nine figures. A list of references is also included. The appendices include the following: (1) a review of the related literature; (2) a list of interview questions; and (3) definitions of the variables examined. (FMW)
Descriptors: Administrator Attitudes, Attitude Change, Board of Education Policy, Counselor Attitudes, Educational Policy, High School Students, High Schools, Interviews, Policy Formation, School Attitudes, School Policy, School Role, Secondary School Teachers, Student Attitudes, Student School Relationship, Teacher Attitudes, Teacher Student Relationship, Urban Schools
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Researchers; Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: Research for Better Schools, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
Identifiers - Location: District of Columbia; Maryland (Baltimore); New Jersey (Newark); Pennsylvania (Philadelphia); Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A