Are knowledgable in Disseration work?

The general problem is that all students do not have access to equitable education. Verstegen (2015) explains that in a highly effective educational system all students will have access to quality, equitable education. However, selected students have a disproportional rate of transitioning from school to prison. The specific problem is that minorities face more risks and threats of criminalization as compared to other ethnic groups and this displays a major problem and cause for concern for the lives of these youth. Porter (2015) supports this by stating that African American and Latino students going to school and violating school rules can land them in prison. Porter also goes on to note that a recent report issued by the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights indicated that school administrators expelled, and law enforcement arrested, African American students in staggeringly disproportionate numbers compared to white students and other students of color. The likelihood these students will end up in prison is also disproportionately high.

Cramer (2014) conducted research that showed that African American males that have been determined to have a learning disability are the most elevated risk group to be subjected to this phenomenon. The second most elevated at-risk group are Latino males. As per the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2011), both African American and Latino males additionally make up most of the jail population and dropout rate.

Several factors have caused youth to make the transition from school to juvenile system. A research study by Cramer, Gonzalez and Pellegrini-Lafont (2014) showed that African Americans had the most diagnosis of learning disability and subsequently the highest risk group to undergo school-to-prison. In the United States, Latino are next in that order. These two groups make the most of school dropout and prison populations Guerino, Harrison and Sabol (2011). Consequently, if this issue is not addressed and corrected suspensions and expulsions will continue to increase the potential of criminal offences by selected youth, failing to make education equitable for all.

The researcher will conduct a qualitative study to examine effective measures that reduce the number of at-risk youth funneled through the school-to-prison pipeline. The study will be conducted in a large urban middle school setting.

Purpose statement

The purpose of this qualitative study is to identify measures that will reduce the number of at risk youth being funneled through the school-to-prison pipeline. The study will provide the best way of engaging at-risk youth in school. The study will also identify the support needed to assist at risk youth in developing appropriate behavior. The study will be conducted in a large urban school setting. The participants will be poor, African American and Latino, middle school students, ages 11-16; who have been placed on outdoor or indoor suspension.

Frequently, at-risk youth feel disengaged starting at an early age. The study of Bell (2015) cites student lack of positive schooling experience as a primary cause of disengagement. Bell concludes that fostering a positive school experience includes validation, fair and justice treatment when misconduct occurs, and high expectations. According to Rocque and Paternoster (2011) another factor to student engagement is a curriculum that students connect with. The research questions guiding this study are:

Q1. What teaching and classroom structure will keep at-risk youth engaged?

Q2. What positive behavioral plan is effective in reducing or eliminating school suspensions of at-risk youth?

In this qualitative study, case study research method will be utilized. The researcher selected case study method because the researcher will be selecting and analyzing two case studies: at-risk youth who excelled academically and behavioral plans that increase appropriate behavior in at-risk youth. Creswell (2013) states that case studies are appropriate when a researcher has clearly identified cases with boundaries and seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the cases or comparison of several cases. The study will involve at-risk youth ages 11-16 in a large urban school setting. Participants will be selected from researcher’s school site; however selected participants will not be past or former students of researcher; this will be done to ensure a non-basis study.

The study will include multiple sources of information: interviews, surveys, observation, documentation, and reports. The researcher will conduct a structured interview on selected participants. The advantage of using a structured interview format is to ensure specific relevant information is asked of the participants. One-to-one format will be used to protect the participants’ privacy and confidentiality. Interview questions will include questions about involvement in juvenile justice system.

Electronic surveys could be used in the study as a pretesting survey instrument. Dane (2011) stated that pretesting is necessary to trust accuracy of data. Electronic survey will then be used to gather data on the level of participants’ connectivity and engagement to classroom curriculum. If available, an existing valid survey would be used. The advantages of using electronic surveys versus a telephone survey is that electronic is more time effective. Although most youth have access to phones, telephone would require an extensive amount of time compared to an online platform.

Observations of participants would be used when observing participants’ in a highly engaged classroom setting. Due to the nature of the research, small group observation is the only appropriate option. Researcher needs to observe classroom engagement.

Data will be recorded using field notes, audio recording and web based. Data from classroom observations will be collected using field notes. Notes will be taken while direct observation is being conducted.

Data Collection

The data collection will be from multiple sources. One-to-one structured interviews, classroom observation, and school’s discipline and academic documents will be used. Researcher will meet with parents or guardians to discuss the details of the study. Parents will be informed of their right to withdraw their child at any point in the study. Also, parents will be required to give verbal and written consent for their child’s participation. A total of 20 at-risk youth will participate in the study: 12 African American, 8 Hispanic, 16-males. 4-females. The study will take place over a six-month period, November-May. The interviews will last 25-30 minutes. To protect the identity of the participants, the researcher will assign numbers to each participant. Participants will be asked 15-20 questions, for example: “What is your favorite class?”, “What do you like best about your favorite class?” Data will be stored on a USB. Only the researcher will have access to USB.

Data Analysis

Analysis of the data which includes data from interviews, classroom observations and school’s records will begin by coding. Researcher will utilize a computer program that will identify key words and phrases in participants’ interviews. Researcher will use a computer program such as HyperRESEARCH. Green (2011) explains that HyperRESEARCH allows researchers to code, retrieve, build theories and conduct analysis. HyperRESEARCH codes all kinds of sources; audio, video and notes.

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