Perceptions of Educational Accountability Among Single African American Mothers

Perceptions of Educational Accountability Among Single African American Mothers by Tierra Winston MS, Chicago State University, 2009 BA, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Administration Walden University February 2017 Abstract The construct of educational accountability formally originated in 2001 as a means to improve education standards by holding teachers accountable for student academic progress; however, the definition of educational accountability for parents continues to be illusive. The purpose of this generic, qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of educational accountability among single, African American mothers of high school-aged children. The research question asked about how the beliefs of educational accountability among single African American mothers related to any involvement in their children’s education. Azjen’s theory of planned behavior, which outlines the relation of intention to action, was the framework used to analyze the attitudes and perceived behavior control of the participants regarding parental involvement. Data collected from one-on-one interviews with 5 single African American mothers were transcribed and analyzed using manual open coding and thematic analysis. The results of the study indicated that the mothers’ intentions to be more involved in their children’s education played a significant role in the outcome of their children’s academic success, whether or not they were actively present in the school. Parental involvement may be explained by the overall socialization of children toward these intentions. It is recommended that educational institutions explore alternate options of parental involvement tailored to meet the needs of parents to be involved. This study contributes to social change by informing educators and African American families to collaborate to instill positive involvement in children’s’ educational planning.The construct of educational accountability formally originated in 2001 as a means to improve education standards by holding teachers accountable for student academic progress; however, the definition of educational accountability for parents continues to be illusive. The purpose of this generic, qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of educational accountability among single, African American mothers of high school-aged children. The research question asked about how the beliefs of educational accountability among single African American mothers related to any involvement in their children’s education. Azjen’s theory of planned behavior, which outlines the relation of intention to action, was the framework used to analyze the attitudes and perceived behavior control of the participants regarding parental involvement. Data collected from one-on-one interviews with 5 single African American mothers were transcribed and analyzed using manual open coding and thematic analysis. The results of the study indicated that the mothers’ intentions to be more involved in their children’s education played a significant role in the outcome of their children’s academic success, whether or not they were actively present in the school. Parental involvement may be explained by the overall socialization of children toward these intentions. It is recommended that educational institutions explore alternate options of parental involvement tailored to meet the needs of parents to be involved. This study contributes to social change by informing educators and African American families to collaborate to instill positive involvement in children’s’ educational planning. Perceptions of Educational Accountability Among Single African American Mothers by Tierra Winston MS, Chicago State University, 2009 BA, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Administration Walden University February 2017 Dedication “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ” Romans 8:18. Throughout this process, I have definitely suffered. I suffered the loss of relationships, the loss of friendships, the loss of my sense of self, and sometimes I felt like I was losing my mental stability. I cried more than I can count, lost focus more times than I should, and let others get the best of me at my most vulnerable state. I suffered mentally, emotionally, and physically. Yet, despite my suffering, I gained a stronger relationship with God. He has carried me through this entire process and without Him I would be nothing. The sacrifices made, and the journey I traveled to get thus far, is nothing compared to the glorious feeling of having completed this process. I dedicate this dissertation to my God. Without God, I wouldn’t have made it through this process, nor would I have completed this dissertation. “I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. ” Psalm 34:1. To Him I give all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise. I also dedicate this dissertation to my son, Tyriek. He has been patient, steadfast, and understanding, while bearing witness to his mother embarking on yet another educational journey. For the nights he came in my room, closing my laptop and kissing me on my forehead, I will be forever grateful. Tyriek, with God all things are possible. Reach for the unreachable, dream the impossible, and let God handle the rest. You are my reason my breathing. You are my reason for persevering. You are my reason for reaching the unreachable, dreaming the impossible, and leaving the rest up to God. I love you unconditionally and immensely. Finally, I dedicate this dissertation to every little Black girl with a dream and desire of wanting more. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ” Matthew 6:33. Let no one or nothing stop you from accomplishing your goals. Hold your head high and your standards higher. Keep smiling, keep dreaming, and keep your melanin popping. Black girls rock. Always have, always will. I love you. Acknowledgments The number of individuals I would like to thank is vast and far too extensive. However, I have every intention to do my best. The phrase “thank you” would never be enough for the people in my life who have meant so much to me during this process. Two words and eight letters are nothing more than a conversational expression of gratitude. Yet it is a manifestation of the emotion I feel for each and every one of you. I would first and foremost like to thank the Most High Father God Almighty for being with me every step of the way. He has been the force pushing me and the Spirit guiding me. I am a child of God and the product of divine intervention. April 8, 2016 you saw fit to keep me and allowed that bullet to miss my body. I will never have enough breaths to thank you for blessings seen and unseen. But I will forever bless your name and give you praise. Thank you. Though I have not been formally educated on the academic history of my ancestors, I am certain I am a derivation of people who had an affinity and thirst for knowledge and truth. I am the descendant of kings and queens. I am the descendant of slaves and sharecroppers. I am the descendant of God’s chosen people. For my ancestors who paved the way, making it possible for me to receive a PhD, I thank you. Your legacy will not be left in vain. I want to thank my mom for always taking care of my son, Tyriek, and my puppies, Smokey and Sasha, while I attended residencies, conferences, and staying up late to complete homework assignments, discussion posts, and papers. Thank you for always being there when I needed you. I want to thank Tyriek for continuously being my motivation and my reason for smiling when I felt like I no longer had a reason to smile. Thank you for being you and for making me a better mother. Thank you to my family and friends for consistently checking in with me, checking on me, and reminding me of how a great task I had laid before me. Thank you to those who challenged me to be greater and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Thank you to everyone who shared, prayed, texted, called, e-mailed, encouraged, motivated, inspired, and uplifted. Your words and actions have never gone unnoticed and they will never be forgotten. Thank you to my Beautiful African American Women for being my prayer warriors. I love and appreciate your prayers, your God given spirit, and your encouragement. I want to my late friend Sharon Rose. She had one of the most warm and caring spirits and I could still here her voice saying “Oh Tierra you’re so funny. ” Thank you for being a friend to me and thank you for the memories in Virginia and Washington, DC. Dr. Juanita White, I can’t thank you enough. You are nothing short of amazing and I truly don’t know where I would be without you. You have been by my side every step of the way without question. You transitioned from my classmate to my mentor and I am forever grateful for you. I would like to thank my chair, Dr. Barbara Benoliel, my committee member, Dr. Tracey Phillips, and my URR, Dr. Tina Jaeckle. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Finally, I want to thank Tierra LaSha’ Winston. Thank you for never giving up. Thank you for your dedication. Thank you for your perseverance. Thank you for your loyalty. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for being unapologetically you. Thank you. We made it. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ” Galatians 6:9.