Open AccessPursuing a Dream: The Lived Experiences of Early Leavers and Their Return to Alternative High School
Author(s) -
Patrick J. Morrissette
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2018.3148
Subject(s) - lived experience , dream , psychology , phenomenology (philosophy) , chose , qualitative research , context (archaeology) , pedagogy , interpretative phenomenological analysis , social psychology , sociology , psychotherapist , social science , epistemology , paleontology , philosophy , political science , law , biology
This article describes a phenomenological study that explored the experiences of early leavers who chose to return to high school in order to pursue their diploma. Eighteen students, including males and females, participated in individual tape recorded interviews, during which they described their experiences, yielding written protocols that were thematically analyzed. Results from this study revealed seven prominent themes that included the following (a) facing reality, (b) launching process, (c) determination, (d) overcoming barriers, (e) supportive influences, (f) proving self, and (g) learning context. Findings and implications for educators and future research are included.