Date of Award

12-2005

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of public and non-public school parents about school choice in two North Dakota cities. Data were gathered through a survey questionnaire administered to randomly selected public and non-public school parents in Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota. Factor analysis reduced the perceptions of parents to four independent variables, income, education, ethnicity, and employment of parents. Perceptions of parents were studied on 16 issues related to school choice as dependent variables. The data analysis answered the following research questions: What are the perceptions of public and non-public school parents about school choice? Are there differences between the perceptions of public and non-public school parents about school choice? Are there correlations between the school choice and income, ethnic, education, and employment factors of the parents?

Responses from public and non-public school parents and their associated frequencies were generated to determine the perceptions about school choice. Chi-square tests were used to determine the differences of perception between public and non-public school parents and their significance. A univariate (ANOV A) and Pearson correlation . tests were used to determine the correlation between the independent variables and their association with school choice perceptions. Finally, Bonferroni's post hoc comparisons were conducted for independent variables to determine the level of significant correlation between the levels of each independent variable.

The results suggest that both public and non-public school parents are in favor of school choice. The results indicated favorably for parents to choose the school for their children and the tax dollars to follow the student. The results also indicated that the non-public school parents are significantly in favor of many more areas of school choice options than the public school parents. Parents employed in public or government institutions significantly preferred non-choice options. Finally, the study indicated that the parents of public and non-public schools are very satisfied with their current choice of schools in levels of performance, achievement, curriculum, behavior, character building, social skills, discipline, and values promoted by their schools.

Especially, I want to appreciate and thank both public and non-public school districts in Fargo and Grand Forks that supported my project wholeheartedly and allowed me to conduct the survey for the study. Finally, my heart goes to all my friends from India at UND and around. They had been very patient, cooperative, and encouraging in my pursuit of this degree. They tolerated me for my absence in many social events and other community gatherings. Again, I thank you all for being my friends throughout this journey in pursuit of knowledge and the journey yet to come.

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