Date of Graduation
12-2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Curriculum and Instruction
Advisor/Mentor
Bengtson, Ed
Committee Member
Lasater, Kara A.
Second Committee Member
Penner-Williams, Janet
Keywords
Character Education; Grit; Social-Emotional Learning; Teacher Perspective; The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens; Working-Class Student
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine working-class graduates’ perceptions of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens training. This purpose was accomplished through a qualitative analysis of data. The data was collected from interviews of graduates and teachers. Following the coding process, graduate data was then reduced to the following categories: social awareness, relationship development, teamwork, communication skills, empathy, self-awareness, and self-confidence which created the themes of interpersonal skills and intrapersonal skills. Four additional graduate themes were created from decision-making data: weighing pros and cons, prioritizing outcomes, thinking long-term, and real-life applications. Additional graduate data was provided from a survey on grit. Teacher data was reduced directly to the following themes: increased self-responsibility, increased awareness and respect for others, increased goal planning skills, and improved relationships. Graduates indicated that the training courses had a positive impact on their life choices, future success, and decision-making skills. Yet, graduates only scored slightly above the mean on a grit survey. Teachers believed the training course benefited the working-class students. The graduates indicated some of the success of the course stemmed from the teachers. The perceptions of the working-class graduates and the teachers in this study provided understanding and knowledge that could help school leaders make curriculum and policy choices to help improve their school culture and climate in the future.
Citation
Ashley, A. K. (2018). Working-Class Graduates’ Perceptions of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Training and Its Impact on Their Life Choices and Future Success. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/3009
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Secondary Education Commons