An investigation of parents' perceptions of their roles and the roles of teachers in the literacy development of middle school adolescents
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate parental perceptions of their roles and the roles of teachers in the literacy development of students enrolled in middle school language arts classes. A clearer understanding of the roles of parents and teachers is needed to develop meaningful parental involvement and is valuable to students' continued success in literacy development at the middle school level. Rosemount Middle School, located in Jefferson City, a rural Midwestern state was the site selected for this study. Three language arts teachers, the school principal, a school guidance counselor, and 133 parents were involved in the study. A qualitative approach was used guided by three theoretical frameworks, phenomenology, symbolic interactionism, and development metaframework. Data were analyzed using inductive analysis. Findings were reported as assertions, generated from the data. In the present study parents believe their roles in literacy development are to be a supporter and a role model to their adolescents. Parents believe the roles of the teachers include teaching skills, providing meaningful literacy experiences for adolescents, and building relationships with parents. The study's findings show parents are actively engaged in their adolescents' literacy development. Much of their support is provided in a non-academic environment. The parents helped the adolescents obtain information and materials for projects, modeled real-life literacy experiences such as reading the newspaper and writing a personal letter, and provided an environment that fosters literacy growth such as books located in the homes and time scheduled for homework and family discussions. Activities parents engage in with their children at this level of development often go unnoticed by school personnel. Establishing a partnership between the home and the school could foster the literacy development of adolescents by creating an awareness of activities parents are providing for their adolescents.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
O'Brien, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Literacy|Reading instruction|Teacher education|Curricula|Teaching|Secondary education|Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology
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