ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6647-1473

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Administrative and Instructional Leadership

First Advisor

Ceceilia Parnther

Second Advisor

Seokhee Cho

Third Advisor

James Campbell

Abstract

This study investigated teachers’ and parents’ perspectives on the impact of Catholic education on non-Catholic Chinese immigrant students. The research attempted to answer three questions: How did teachers and parents perceive the impact of Catholic education on non-Catholic Chinese immigrant students’ academic achievement? How did teachers and parents perceive the impact of Catholic education on non-Catholic Chinese immigrant students’ personal moral values? And what are non-Catholic immigrant parents’ perceptions of Catholic education? The study is framed by moral development (Kohlberg & Hersh, 1977) and sensemaking (Weick, 1995) two frameworks. The methodology chosen for the research was a single case study, that used a sample of non-Catholic Chinese immigrant families and their K-8 children who study at Catholic schools to address the impact of Catholic education. The researcher conducted interviews with three administrators, seven teachers, and four parents from one single Catholic school that involved 59% Asian and 72% non-Catholic of the entire school population. The findings present three major themes with the impact of Catholic schools on non-believer immigrant students: the reason for sending children to Catholic schools; the impact of Catholic education; and parents’ perceptions of Catholic education. The study provides some guidance with respect to Catholic school leaders and teachers to relate Catholic education's values to those of other cultures, faiths, and communities as it expands to educate students from a wide range of backgrounds, especially non-Catholic immigrant students.

Download

Share

COinS