Exploring Protective Factors for Students Experiencing Homelessness
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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS Risk to Resilience: Exploring Protective Factors for Students Experiencing Homelessness at a Traditional High School and a Modified Comprehensive School A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership by Joel Garcia Committee in charge: University of California, San Diego Professor Amanda Datnow, Chair Professor Alan Daly California State University San Marcos Professor Lorri Santamaría 2013 © Joel Garcia, 2013 All rights reserved. The Dissertation Proposal of Joel Garcia is approved, and is acceptable in quality and form for publication on microfilm and electronically: Chair University of California, San Diego California State University San Marcos 2013 iii DEDICATION To my wife Cathy. Thank you for all you sacrificed and for the unwavering support. This dream is real because of you. To my children, Ella, Ryan and Olivia. I am looking forward to making up for my absence. May this family endeavor inspire you. Para mis padres, Joel y Maria Garcia. Desde que era niño, me han inculcado el valor de la educación. Gracias. To my brother Pablo, sister Karina, and the rest of my family. Thank you for all the love, laughs, support, thoughts and prayers. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS SIGNATURE PAGE ......................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION .................................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS .....................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES ...............................................................................................................x LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... xi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................ xii VITA ................................................................................................................................ xiii ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION ........................................................................ xiv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................1 1.1 Literature Review and Conceptual Framework .................................................2 1.1.1 Risks .................................................................................................3 1.1.2 Resilience .........................................................................................4 1.1.3 School Structures .............................................................................5 1.1.4 School Culture .................................................................................5 1.2 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................5 1.3 Research Questions ............................................................................................7 1.4 Methods..............................................................................................................9 1.5 Significance .....................................................................................................11 1.6 Key Terms ........................................................................................................11 1.7 Organization of the Dissertation ......................................................................13 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .....................................................14 2.1 Risks Related to Homelessness .......................................................................14 2.1.1 Health ............................................................................................15 2.1.2 Academic Achievement .................................................................18 2.1.3 Family Breakdown ........................................................................21 2.1.4 Social Emotional Well-Being ........................................................22 2.2 Resilience .........................................................................................................26 2.2.1 Resilience and Homeless Youth ...................................................29 2.2.2 Resilience-Promoting School Programs .......................................30 v 2.3 School Institutional Structures .........................................................................33 2.3.1 Student Support .............................................................................34 2.3.1.1 Counseling .........................................................................34 2.3.1.2 Mentor Programs ...............................................................35 2.3.1.3 College Transition ..............................................................35 2.3.1.4 Vocational Training ...........................................................36 2.3.1.5 Homework Support ............................................................36 2.3.1.6 Extracurricular Activities ...................................................36 2.3.1.7 Community Service ...........................................................37 2.3.2 Curriculum and Instruction ............................................................38 2.3.3 Staff Awareness and Development ................................................40 2.4 School Culture and Climate .............................................................................41 2.4.1 Safety .............................................................................................42 2.4.2 Staff Attitudes ................................................................................42 2.4.3 Classroom and School Participation ..............................................43 2.4.4 Adult and Peer Relationships .........................................................44 2.5 Summary ..........................................................................................................45 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................49 3.1 Case Study Methodology .................................................................................49 3.2 Sample and Population ....................................................................................52 3.2.1 Site Selection .................................................................................53 3.2.2 Participant Selection ......................................................................55 3.2.2.1 Youth..................................................................................55 3.2.2.2 Adults .................................................................................56 3.3 Data Collection ................................................................................................57 3.3.1 Methods..........................................................................................57 3.3.1.1 Observations ......................................................................58 3.3.1.2 Interviews ...........................................................................58 3.3.1.3 Document Analysis ............................................................59 3.4 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................59 vi 3.5 Limitations .......................................................................................................60 3.5.1 Generalizability ..............................................................................60 3.5.2 Positionality ...................................................................................61 3.6 Summary ..........................................................................................................62 CHAPTER FOUR: CITY HIGH SCHOOL ......................................................................62 4.1 Student Experiences with Homelessness .........................................................62 4.2 School Institutional Structures .........................................................................65 4.2.1 School Size.....................................................................................65 4.2.2 Curriculum and Instruction ............................................................66 4.2.3 Different Schools, Different Rules ................................................67 4.2.4 Goals for Students ..........................................................................68 4.2.5 Student Support ..............................................................................69 4.2.5.1 Basic Needs ........................................................................70 4.2.5.2 Academic Support and Interventions .................................70 4.2.5.3 Emotional Support .............................................................71 4.2.5.4 Social Expectations and Support .......................................75 4.2.5.5 Post High School Planning ................................................76 4.2.5.6 Extracurricular Activities ...................................................77 4.2.5.7 Differential Access to Academic Supports. .......................79 4.2.6 District Support for Homeless Students .........................................80 4.2.7 Staff Awareness and Development ................................................80