HOW HOMESCHOOL STUDENTS PERCEIVE THEIR EXPERIENCES INFLUENCING ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN COLLEGE by Lisa Ann Hauk Shields A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Education MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana April 2015 ©COPYRIGHT by Lisa Ann Hauk Shields 2015 All Rights Reserved ii DEDICATION To my family. Thank you for the support, encouragement, inspiration, and memories throughout my academic journey. I love you. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to the homeschool students who shared their personal stories making this research possible. Your honesty and generosity are truly appreciated. Thank you to my committee: Dr. Carrie Myers, Dr. Arthur Bangert, Dr. Anne Christensen, Dr. Ann Ellsworth, and Dr. James Rimpau. Your passion for learning is inspiring. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................1 Background of the Study .................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................5 Purpose Statement ............................................................................................................6 Guiding Research Questions ............................................................................................7 Research Structure Methodology .....................................................................................7 The Researcher.................................................................................................................9 Introduction to Literature ...............................................................................................10 Demographics ........................................................................................................12 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................14 Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................15 Definition of Terms and Concept ..................................................................................15 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................16 Summary ........................................................................................................................18 2. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ...............................................................................19 Introduction ....................................................................................................................19 Homeschool Education ..................................................................................................20 National Trends ......................................................................................................20 Homeschool Curricula ...........................................................................................25 Homeschool Co-op Organizations .........................................................................29 Early Start Programs ..............................................................................................31 Montana Homeschool Trends ................................................................................32 State of Understanding on Homeschooling ...........................................................33 State of Homeschooling .........................................................................................33 Context of Homeschooling ....................................................................................35 Student Characteristics...................................................................................................37 Pre-entry Characteristics ........................................................................................37 Personality Traits ...................................................................................................38 Academic Preparation ............................................................................................39 Academic and Social Integration ...................................................................................40 Social Capital .........................................................................................................41 Academic Attainment ............................................................................................43 Student Involvement ..............................................................................................45 Student Development Theories ..............................................................................47 Conceptual Overview.....................................................................................................50 Conclusion .....................................................................................................................51 v TABLE OF CONTENTS – CONTINUED 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................................................................54 Introduction ....................................................................................................................54 Design ............................................................................................................................55 Context of the Study ......................................................................................................56 Data Collection ..............................................................................................................60 Sample............................................................................................................................61 Participants .....................................................................................................................63 State University Participants ..................................................................................63 Community College Participants ...........................................................................66 Data Collection Procedures....................................................................................70 Data Storage ...................................................................................................................74 Data Analysis Strategies ................................................................................................75 Dependability, Trustworthiness, and Transferability of the Design ..............................76 Researcher Positionality.................................................................................................77 Conclusion .....................................................................................................................78 4. RESULTS AND RESEARCH FINDINGS ......................................................................80 Introduction ....................................................................................................................80 Findings..........................................................................................................................81 Homeschool Experience ................................................................................................83 Homeschool Platform ............................................................................................83 Student Learning Characteristics ...................................................................................88 Memorization .........................................................................................................89 Independent, Organization, Self-Disciplined .........................................................90 Independence .........................................................................................................90 Self-Discipline ................................................................................................... ...92 Organization ...........................................................................................................93 Respect ...................................................................................................................94 Social Capital .................................................................................................................95 Bonding Capital .....................................................................................................96 Church ....................................................................................................................97 Co-op Organizations ..............................................................................................98 Early Start Participation .......................................................................................100 Bridging Capital ...................................................................................................102 Early Start ............................................................................................................103 Music....................................................................................................................104 Athletics ...............................................................................................................104 Club Membership.................................................................................................105