Date of Award

2006

Degree Name

School Psychology

College

Graduate School of Education and Professional Development

Type of Degree

Ed.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Stephen O’Keefe

Second Advisor

Sandra Stroebel

Third Advisor

Joyce Meikamp

Abstract

The current study sought to examine the level of parent satisfaction with an extended school year program, the Marshall University Graduate College Summer Enrichment Program, verses the level of parent satisfaction at students’ local schools. The study also replicated the findings in two previous studies (Lattimore, 2003; Wartenburg, 2005). Parent satisfaction data were collected using satisfaction surveys. A survey was mailed to parents at the end of the regular school year to assess level of parent satisfaction with local school (N= 105). Twenty surveys were returned by mail. Intercorrelations of the parent satisfaction survey questions for the local school were made with the original satisfaction measure on question 14. Ten significant correlations were made at the .001 level and were used to develop the new parent satisfaction with local school measure. The average score for the level of parent satisfaction with the students’ local school was 3.85 (SD= 1.29). A second survey was mailed the week after the summer program concluded to assess the level of parent satisfaction with the MUGC Summer Enrichment Program (N=105). Twenty-one were returned by mail. Intercorrelations of the parent satisfaction survey questions for the MUGC Summer Enrichment Program were made with the original satisfaction measure on question 14. Ten significant correlations were made at the .001 level and were used to develop the new parent satisfaction with the MUGC Summer Enrichment Program measure. The average score for the overall level of parent satisfaction with the MUCG Summer Enrichment program of 4.68 (SD= 0.67).

A t-test analysis on the twenty returned parent surveys found that the variable #10 (My child was safe at school was the best indicator of parent satisfaction with the local school and that the variable #10 (My child was safe at school) was the best indicator of the parent satisfaction with the MUGC Summer Enrichment Program.

On the basis of self-report, the 41 responses from the 2005 surveys were combined and assigned to three groups, no involvement, giving and receiving information, and having control over decisions. An ANOVA was performed on the returned parent surveys found that parents who had medium participation (giving and receiving information) in the summer program had high satisfaction with their school program and parents who had medium participation (giving and receiving information) in the summer program had high with the MUGC Summer Enrichment Program. Overall, this analysis found that parents who had some level of involvement were more satisfied than parents who had less involvement.

Additionally, the level of parent satisfaction with the MUGC Summer Enrichment Program throughout the past three years was compared by using a 3x3 Chi Square analysis of categorical variables for question 14 (“I am satisfied with the MUGC Summer Enrichment Program”). Data found that overall level of parent satisfaction with the MUGC Summer Enrichment Program increased throughout the past three years of the program. Satisfaction levels were also higher with the chosen program (MUGC Summer Enrichment Program satisfaction Mean 4.68; SD 0.67) than with the mandatory local program (Local School Mean 3.85; SD 1.29).

Subject(s)

Educational evaluation.

Summer schools -- Evaluation.

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