UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN MARCOS Supporting At-Risk Students with Emotional Intelligence A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership by Mona Kiani Committee in charge: California State University, San Marcos Professor Annette M. Daoud, Chair Professor Patricia Stall University of California, San Diego Professor Alan Daly 2016 © Mona Kiani, 2016 All rights reserved. The Dissertation of Mona Kiani is approved, and it is acceptable in quality and form for publication on microfilm and electronically: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Chair University of California, San Diego California State University, San Marcos 2016 iii DEDICATION For every child who has been cast aside, felt unworthy, or simply not understood… I dedicate my research, this study, and my life long journey of service to those who need an advocate. For every student I have ever had the privilege of teaching and learning from, thank you for tirelessly fighting for your right to be the best that you can be. Across the globe, from Iran, to Chile, to America, there are souls who are striving to be heard, to be understood, and to be given a chance. This dissertation is for you. iv EPIGRAPH “Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.” Baha’u’lláh v TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents DEDICATION ..................................................................................................................................... iv EPIGRAPH ........................................................................................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................. vi LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................... ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................... x VITA .................................................................................................................................................... xii ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION ................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................................................ 3 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Research Questions ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Theoretical Frameworks .................................................................................................................................. 6 Schooling as an Emotional Experience ................................................................................................................... 6 Emotional Intelligence .................................................................................................................................................. 7 Cultural Intelligence ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Context of the Study .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Overview of Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................................................. 10 Background and Role of the Researcher ................................................................................................. 11 Definition of Key Terms ............................................................................................................................... 12 Limitations and Delimitations ..................................................................................................................... 13 Organization of the Dissertation ................................................................................................................ 15 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ..................................................................... 17 Background on At-Risk Students ............................................................................................................... 17 Adverse childhood experiences .............................................................................................................................. 19 Emotions of Schooling .................................................................................................................................. 21 Emotions in Math Class .......................................................................................................................................... 22 Nature of Emotions ................................................................................................................................................... 26 Emotional Intelligence in Education ......................................................................................................... 29 What is Emotional Intelligence? ......................................................................................................................... 30 EI and Academic Performance ........................................................................................................................... 34 EI and Success in Life .............................................................................................................................................. 37 Programs to Increase EI ................................................................................................................................ 40 EI of Teachers .................................................................................................................................................. 42 Cultural Intelligence ....................................................................................................................................... 47 Summary of Research .................................................................................................................................... 52 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................... 55 Review of the Study ....................................................................................................................................... 55 vi Qualitative Research and Methodological Approach ............................................................... 56 Context ................................................................................................................................................................ 57 Research Site ............................................................................................................................................................... 57 Participants .................................................................................................................................................................. 61 Design of the Study ........................................................................................................................................ 62 Phenomenology ........................................................................................................................................................... 62 Method ........................................................................................................................................................................... 63 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................................................... 67 Limitations ......................................................................................................................................................... 72 Reflexivity ..................................................................................................................................................................... 72 Positionality .................................................................................................................................................................. 72 Generalization ............................................................................................................................................................