CHAPTER : METHODOLOGY

Introduction

The purpose of the study is to understand school leaders perspectives about how policies and procedures reduce truancy and improve student attendance. By interviewing key school leaders from Charter Secondary School (CSS), a public charter school with low truancy levels, information on effective policies and procedures can be gathered (Brinkmann & Kvale, 2015). The research method that will be used for this study will be a qualitative case study. Merriam & Tisdell (2016) stated, a case study is an intensive, holistic description and analysis of a single, bounded unit. In a case study, the researcher focuses on the exploration of an activity, event, process, or individuals (Creswell, 2014). The following research questions will guide the study:

1. Why does CSS have a low truancy rate?

2. What theoretical framework serves as the foundation for policies at CSS?

The researcher will use interviews to collect qualitative data. The interview has today become one of the most widespread knowledge-producing practices across the human and social sciences in general and in critical psychology more specifically (Brinkmann, 2014, p. 1008). Interviews can range from formal interviews or informal interviews. They can be done face-to-face, over the phone, or over the internet (Brinkmann, 2014). Formal interviews have a structure to them where the researcher asks a question and the participant answers. However, in informal interviews, there can be discussion and does not have to stick to the questions asked (Brinkmann, 2014).

Qualitative interviews often have some structure to them, with many labeled, semi-structured. (Brinkmann & Kvale, 2015). Most qualitative interviews, however, are semi-structured. In a semi-structured interview, the researcher provides some structure based on her research interests and interview guide but works flexibly with the guide and allows room for the respondents more spontaneous descriptions and narratives (Brinkmann, 2014, p. 1008).

There is a need to understand from the staff and school leaders perspectives at Charter Secondary School what kind of school environment is in place to reduce truancy, and how current policies promote strong attendance. Their responses to interviews can give a good picture of what is being done to achieve positive outcomes for the student population attending. Similar studies using interviews have gathered a significant amount of insightful information that allows for the ability to answer important questions (De Witte & Csillag, 2012)

Face-to-face interviews will be conducted with 8 school leaders from Secondary Charter School located in one large school district in the Southeast United Stated. Interviews will be conducted to gain an understanding of their perceptions and beliefs why Secondary Charter School have low truancy rate. While the sample size is small, in qualitative studies, the experience of the participants and the meaning derived from said responses can be a valuable tool for analysis in understanding the complex situations in education and the world (Marshall, Cardon, Poddar, & Fontenot, 2013).

People have in the past tried to set a number on the amount deemed acceptable for sample sizes even in qualitative studies. The quota of contexts, circumstances, and social relations will start with a number for practical reasons. It is asserted that a particular size of sample is adequate to investigate a research question (Emmel, Seaman, & Kenney, 2013, p. 185). Many qualitative methodologists aim for a large number sample because of a seemingly allure of number. However, there exists no tests of adequacy, power calculations, or guidelines to establish the proper sample size for qualitative research (Emmel, Seaman, & Kenney, 2013). Therefore, it is important to choose a sample size that can answer what is needed within this study and provide meaningful dialog for analysis. Eight participants are a practical number for this small study.

Research Design and Approach

For this case study, qualitative data will be collected to gain insight, meaning, and understanding of leaders perceptions and beliefs about Secondary Charter Schools low truancy rate. The aim is to gain an understanding of leaders perceptions and beliefs as to why Secondary Charter School has low truancy rate oppose to similar public charter schools. I will be focusing on specific scenarios, so the case study is defined as particularistic (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016). The data that will be collected are the open-ended questions that will be given to each school leader being interviewed. Each participant had the opportunity to conduct a member check of his or her own transcript. Once member checks are completed, each transcript will be entered to the website, Atlas.ti for coding, organization, and interpretation.

The questions are six in total. They served the purpose of guiding some of the literature review portion of this study as well as act as gate markers for discussion with study participants. The questions are:

1. How do the policies in effect at Doctors Charter School discourage truancy?

2. What policies and procedures are in effect in other public charter schools where attendance is high?

3. To what degree do staff at Doctors perceive they adhere to the written policies and procedures?

4. How do school leaders describe attendance? Anti-truancy? Policies and procedures?

5. What policies and procedures are in effect in other public charter schools where attendance is high?

6. To what degree do staff at Doctors perceive they adhere to the written policies and procedures?

The interview questions will not be mandatory but will require informed consent. By providing participants with information leaflets and having them sign a consent form or accept to consent verbally through the phone or written via email, the participants will be aware of their right to privacy, anonymity, and can get a better understanding of the questions developed for the study (Edwards & Holland, 2013). Without informed consent, interviews may not be deemed acceptable regarding response validity (Edwards & Holland, 2013).

Setting

The setting will be Charter Secondary School of Miami Shore. CSS is a public charter school built on 5 acres of property (Great Schools!, 2017). It is in Miami Shore, an area of Florida. The current enrollment number stands at 599 and the campus type is suburban (Great Schools!, 2017). The school serves students from grades 6-12 (Charter Secondary School of Miami Shores, 2007). The school has 31 full-time teachers for a student population of 598 students that reflect a ratio of less than 20 students per teacher (19:1) (USNEWS, 2017). The school is part of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the fourth largest school district in the nation.

Sample

Research participants will be eight (8) school leaders. The school leaders come from different parts of the school. These include two administrators, four teachers, a parent and a board of director. The parent is a leader because of the advocacy done in the school. The teachers provide leadership to their students and are recognized as exemplary in their profession. The other administrators and board of director have experience handling problems regarding school policy. For the participants to qualify for the study, all...

…from https://www.greatschools.org/florida/miami/897-Doctors-Charter-School-Of-Miami-Shores/

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