UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN MARCOS How Future-Focused Elementary School Cultures Influence the Future Aspirations of Low-Income Students: A Comparative Case Study A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership by Sheryl Diane Fleming Committee in Charge: University of California San Diego Professor Alan Daly Professor Christoforos Mamas California State University, San Marcos Professor Erika Daniels, Chair Professor Joni Kolman 2019 Copyright Sheryl Diane Fleming, 2019 All rights reserved. SIGNATURE PAGE The Dissertation of Sheryl Diane Fleming 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 2019 iii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to students of all ages with aspirations; don’t let anything or anyone keep you from achieving your dreams. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS SIGNATURE PAGE .................................................................................................................... III DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................. IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... V LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................... VIII LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ IX VITA .............................................................................................................................................. X ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................... XI ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................. XII CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 Problem Statement/Background ......................................................................................... 1 Purpose Statement ............................................................................................................... 3 Conceptual Framework ....................................................................................................... 4 Research Questions ............................................................................................................. 5 Overview of Methods ......................................................................................................... 6 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................... 7 Definitions of Key Terms ................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE .............................................................................. 9 College Culture ................................................................................................................... 9 Social Factors .................................................................................................................... 12 Familial Factors ................................................................................................................ 13 v Parent Education ............................................................................................................... 14 Parent Expectations and Involvement ............................................................................... 14 Institutional Factors: The Role of Economics and Schools .............................................. 16 Individual Factors ............................................................................................................. 20 Why Elementary School? ................................................................................................. 22 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER 3: METHODS ............................................................................................................ 25 Introduction to Research Design ....................................................................................... 25 Research Questions ........................................................................................................... 25 Comparative Case Study Design ...................................................................................... 26 Data Collection ................................................................................................................. 30 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................... 37 Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 39 Positionality Statement ..................................................................................................... 41 Validity Statement ............................................................................................................ 42 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 42 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS .............................................................................................................. 43 Background and Context................................................................................................... 43 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................... 43 Research Questions ........................................................................................................... 43 Overview of Findings ....................................................................................................... 44 Relating Findings to Research Questions ......................................................................... 45 Painted Arrow Elementary Results ................................................................................... 47 vi Painted Arrow Elementary Conclusion ............................................................................ 50 Spinning Compass Academy Results ............................................................................... 63 Themes From Findings ..................................................................................................... 81 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 91 CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................ 92 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................... 92 Implications for Educational Leadership .......................................................................... 93 Implications for Future Research ...................................................................................... 94 Implications for Social Justice .......................................................................................... 97 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 98 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 99 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................ 101 APPENDIX A: SAMPLE INITIAL STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRE ....................................... 101 APPENDIX B: SAMPLE INITIAL TEACHER QUESTIONNAIRE ....................................... 102 APPENDIX C: STUDENT FOCUS GROUP PROMPTS ......................................................... 103 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 104 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Conceptual framework of factors affecting low-income students’ access to higher education……………………………………………………....…………………… 4 Figure 2. College Enrollment by Income Groups…………………………………………… 17 viii LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Demographics of Case Study Sites ................................................................................ 28 Table 2. Completed Questionnaires ............................................................................................. 32 Table 3. Demographic Overview of Focus Group Participants ................................................... 33 Table 4. Demographics of Painted Arrow Focus Group Students ............................................... 34 Table 5. Demographics of Spinning Compass