Research Proposal Paper: Each student will develop a research proposal of 8-10 pages in length. The proposal includes the introduction (research problem, purpose statement, research questions, hypothe

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The Relationship between Student Attendance and Academic Performance

Identify key terms.

  • Student Attendance, Student Achievement, Incentives, Truancy, Barriers, Disengagement, Culture and Climate.

Locate literature.

  • Net Journals

  • PubMed Central

  • Frontiers Education

  • Barry University-SAGE

Evaluate and select literature.

References

Bradley, R. R. (2015). A comprehensive approach to improving student attendance (dissertation).

Gershenson, S. (2014). Linking teacher quality, student attendance, and student achievement. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2528136

Kearney, C. A., Benoit, L., Gonzálvez, C., & Keppens, G. (2022). School attendance and school absenteeism: A Primer for the past, present, and theory of change for the future. Frontiers in Education, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.1044608

Organize the literature.

  • Introduction- To introduce the why, what, and how of the topic.

  • Background/History- School attendance and the impact on student achievement

  • Data- the quantitative and qualitative research on the school site.

  • Strategies- guide for the improvement of student attendance

  • Outcomes- the variables that are monitored during the study to document the impact that a given intervention for attendance measures.

  • Results/Analysis - What came of the research.

  • Conclusion- To sum up the research.

Synthesize the literature.

Student attendance is essential in the success of student achievement. There are many factors that can contribute to student lack of attendance. Identifying those issues and finding supports to assist student contributes to their academic success. This study will identify the root of attendance issues at Disston Academy and identify strategies that keep more student in the classroom.

Quantitative Data Collection

1. Participants:

  • High school students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

  • Teachers and school staff members.

  • Schools with varying attendance policies and demographics.

2. Permission Steps:

  • Obtain approval from school authorities and parents for student participation.

  • Secure consent from teachers and staff for their involvement.

  • Explain the purpose, methodology, and ethical considerations to gain cooperation.

3. Types of Information:

  • Attendance records (number of days present, tardiness, absenteeism reasons).

  • Academic performance data (grades, test scores).

  • Socioeconomic background of students (income levels, parental education).

  • School policies and interventions related to attendance.

4. Potential Instruments:

  • School attendance databases.

  • Student academic records.

  • Surveys/questionnaires for students, teachers, and parents.

  • Interviews with school staff and administrators.

5. Data Collection Plan:

  • Distribute consent forms and information sheets to parents and students.

  • Coordinate with schools to access attendance and academic records.

  • Administer surveys to students, teachers, and parents.

  • Conduct interviews with school staff and administrators.

Qualitative Data Collection

1. Potential Participants and Sites:

  • Students from different grade levels and backgrounds.

  • Teachers, school counselors, and parents.

  • Conduct interviews and observations in schools and homes.

2. Access Strategies:

  • Collaborate with school administrators to gain access to students and teachers.

  • Seek permission from parents and guardians for interviews at home.

  • Schedule interviews and observations during school events or parent-teacher meetings.

3. Research Questions:

  • How do students perceive the relationship between attendance and academic success?

  • What are the challenges faced by students in maintaining regular attendance?

  • How do teachers and parents perceive the impact of attendance on academic performance?

4. Interview and Observation Protocols:

  • Develop semi-structured interview guides for students, teachers, and parents.

  • Prepare observation checklists to document student engagement, class participation, and teacher-student interactions.

5. Mixed Methods Section:

1. Feasibility Criteria:

  • Adequate resources and time available for both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.

  • The research question benefits from a comprehensive understanding provided by both qualitative and quantitative data.

2. Rationale for Mixing Methods:

  • Combining qualitative insights on individual experiences with quantitative data on attendance patterns and academic outcomes allows for a holistic understanding. Qualitative data provides context and depth, enhancing the interpretation of quantitative results, leading to a more comprehensive and nuanced analysis.

3. Data Collection Strategy and Design:

  • Use sequential explanatory design: gather quantitative data first, followed by qualitative data to explain and enrich quantitative findings.

4. Research Questions:

  • Quantitative: What is the correlation between student attendance rates and academic performance?

  • Qualitative: How do student attitudes and experiences related to attendance affect their academic performance?

5. Data Collection Plan:

  • Quantitative data: Retrieve attendance records and academic performance data from school databases.

  • Qualitative data: Conduct interviews with a sample of students, teachers, and parents. Observations in classrooms and homes to capture real-time interactions.

6. Data Analysis:

  • Analyze quantitative data using statistical methods (correlation analysis, regression) to identify patterns and relationships.

  • Analyze qualitative data thematically, extracting key themes related to student attitudes, challenges, and perceptions.

  • Integrate findings by comparing and contrasting qualitative themes with quantitative results to draw comprehensive conclusions.