Parental Perspectives - Dissertation Example

This study has broadened my thought process, my zeal, inner strength, passion, knowledge, and focus on how I can help our youth discover what it takes to reach their educational goals. I also dedicate this dissertation to all those that are close to my heart: my husband, children, parents, family, and friends that supported me through this process. Their support has allowed me to climb to the mountaintop in accomplishing my goals and to continue fulfilling the desires of my heart. I owe a special thanks to my wonderful children, Jermaay and Cladorian, who are my pride and joy.

Thank you for sacrificing your wants and needs and for being patient with mommy. To Floyd, my loving husband, who listened, supported and made many sacrifices for me during this difficult process; I deeply thank you.Acknowledgments This dissertation took more commitment and devotion than I ever imagined and I could not have done it by myself. So many people helped me through this challenging time of my educational journey. I am truly thankful for the grace that God bestowed upon me over these past three years.

I am very grateful and honored to have such a supporting family, friends, church and cohort who provided constant encouragement. I must acknowledge my wonderful mentor, Dr. April Flanagan, who came to my rescue in the midst of my uncertainties in my research plan. I started research for my dissertation in Atlanta, Georgia, with a solid foundation and then my husband received military orders to transfer to Okinawa, Japan for three years. As a result, my research topic had to change, and I was forced to switch my focus and start over. Dr. Flanagan was a true asset in the writing of my dissertation, due to her extensive experience.

This phenomenological study investigates how parents perceive their involvement in student learning. Kohls, Stafford, and Miller (2003) assert that public dissatisfaction, international comparisons and the skills needed for the 21st-century workforce “by policy makers, parents, the business community and the public have resulted in demands that schools be held accountable for learning” (p. 1). In Okinawa, Japan, the language barrier restricts military and government civilian parents of non-Japanese speaking children from entering the more challenging domestic school systems (O.

Lee, August 11, 2005, personal communication). The expense of registration and monthly tuition fees for private and Japanese public schools is another issue that military and government civilian families encounter if they choose not to use the provided school system available (Military Resources & Benefits, n.d.). Parents’ expectations about their role in their children's education are essential to student learning and academic success. When parents believe their children are not receiving the best education possible, the reason is often that they feel powerless to do anything about it other than basic home intervention (Bloom, 1992).

For example, parents are establishing goals and possibilities for their children to become academically successful, such as seeking technical support through computerized tutorials when questions occur on schoolwork or allowing the child to call a fellow classmate or searching the text for guidance.