Catholic Education in Nova Scotia: Understanding Parents and their Motives for Enrolling their Children in Catholic Schools
Loading...
Date
2012-04-19
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The small Catholic school community in Nova Scotia must rely upon networking and
working with each other to provide updates and exchange views with each school.
Understanding why parents support Catholic schools in Nova Scotia will greatly help the
Catholic school community in providing direction and informing leadership for existing
Catholic schools. It is important to know what parents are seeking when they chose Catholic
schools, as the survival of these schools depends on the tuition-paying parents.
In this study, the researcher sought to understand the motives that parents in Nova
Scotia have for enrolling their children in Catholic schools. This research employed a mixed
method study which illustrates two major perspectives in research. Descriptive statistics
(means, standard deviations, percentages) were used to tabulate and analyze the survey data.
The researcher did a face-to-face interview with a small number of parents and each
interview was audio taped and transcribed by the researcher. Common characteristics among
parents interviewed were identified based from the survey, and themes were established
based on interview results.
An examination of previous dissertations conducted revealed a list of factors parents
consider in choosing Catholic schools. This list was utilized to develop the factors presented
to parents in the survey and during the interview. Parents were asked to rate each of 25
reasons for choosing a Catholic school on a Likert-type scale.
Three out of the four invited Catholic schools in Nova Scotia with an elementary
level participated in the study. Ten out of 10 Catholic parents from School A answered the
survey. Twenty-seven out of the 58 surveys distributed to Catholic parents in School B were
completed. Three out of four Catholic parents from School C completed the survey. Five
parents from School A, four parents from School B and three parents from School C were
interviewed. In total, survey return rate was 40 out of 72 (55.56%) and twelve Catholic
parents were interviewed.
Analysis of parent interviews revealed several factors out of the 25 given choices are
interconnected but are subsequent under four major themes. The first factor considered is that
the school’s philosophy mirrors that of home. The next factor considered is the quality of
curriculum, and that is linked with well-defined academic structure and instructional goals.
The third factor identified is the school’s emphasis on religious and moral values. The fourth
factor related to the teachers. Parents recognize the value of the teachers’ commitment, their
high behavioral expectations from children and their involvement in the academic but also
the character formation of the child. The fifth factor identified is related to school
environment. Parents give importance to the safe school environment and the warm and
friendly school climate. This is associated with parent’s perception of a sense of community
in these schools
Description
Keywords
Catholic Church , Education , Nova Scotia , Parent participation