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Theoretical Orientations To Reading And Reading Instructional Practices Of Selected Home-Education Parents In Southwest Michigan, Pollyanna Prosper Barnes

Dissertations

Problem. This research study sought to determine
(1) home educators' beliefs about reading,
(2) their reading instructional practices, and
(3) the consistency between parents' beliefs and practice.

Method. This study used multiple sources of data. Demographic information was collected from 78 active home educators in southwest Michigan. DeFord's (1985) Theoretical Orientation to Reading Profile (TORP) determined parents' theoretical orientation to reading. Nine parents were interviewed and observed teaching reading. The Moss (1980) Classroom Analysis of Teachers' Theoretical Orientation (CATTOR) was used to record parents' instructional practices in reading. Documents utilized during instruction were analyzed and placed in one or more …

Self-Concept In Home-Schooling Children, John Wesley Taylor V

Dissertations

The home school appears to be in a renaissance. This national study sought to provide an empirical base upon which to formulate viable decisions regarding homeschooling children. The study considered homeschoolers in grades four through twelve. The randomized sample yielded 224 qualified participants.

Conclusions include the following:

1. The self-concept of the homeschoolers was significantly higher (p<.001) than that of the conventionally schooled population on all scales of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Half of the homeschoolers scored at or above the 91st percentile on the global scale.

2. Insofar as self-concept is a reflector of socialization, it appears that few homeschoolers are socially deprived.

3. The self-concept of the homeschoolers decreases significantly (p<.01) as age and grade level rise.

4. The factors of gender, number of siblings, locale of residence, prior conventional schooling, number of years …