ALISON LAFOLLETTE, AMBER OTTAWAY, NOOR ROSLI, CHRISTINE SCHULZ, LINN VISSCHER, REBECCA BARDWELL Emerging Adults Perceptions of Their Education and Life Experience

Abstract What is meant by a successful education or a well performing school? Most studies assessing the effectiveness of k-12 education look at variables such as graduation rates, standardized test scores and college matriculation. Few studies could be found that looked at post education life outcomes. Yet it is often stated that a public education system is to provide for a well informed electorate or an effective work force. We know that a strong academic foundation leads to better life outcomes, but precisely what is it in that education that contributes to a successful life? Emerging adults between the ages of 25 and 30 were interviewed to ascertain what they remembered from their K-12 education and how that education has formed their present life.

Introduction It is widely accepted that a strong academic foundation leads to better life outcomes. Most studies assessing the effectiveness of k-12 education look at variables such as graduation rates, standardized test scores and college matriculation. Few studies could be found that looked at post education life outcomes.

Introduction Most research assessing school effectiveness uses test data collected while students are in school. To truly identify the qualities necessary for an effective education, it is important to look at the life outcomes of those who previously attended these schools. This study interviewed emerging adults who have been out of public or independent K-12 schools for approximately 8-12 years to identify their present position in life, their life satisfaction and their recollection of the qualities and the teachers in the schools they attended that they remember to be important for their life achievements.

Purpose In particular this research sought to answer the question: What qualities in the K-12 education of an emerging adult are perceived to have led to their present success?

Methods

Participant Solicitation Participants were solicited with notices placed in public places in Milwaukee such as churches, community centers, gyms, or retail stores. Potential Participants who responded to the notices were contacted by phone. The study and its potential risks were described. If interested in participating, a mutually agreed upon time and place for an interview was arranged.

Interviews At the interview, the study and audio taping were more fully explained, questions were answered and informed consent was obtained. The tape was turned on and the interview began. It was a semi-structured interview and as such, additional questions were occasionally asked to add clarity to a person’s answers to extend a person’s response. Participants were given a $25 gift certificate for Walgreens.

Method Continued Participants were interviewed individually in interviews that will take approximately one to two hours. The tapes from these interviews were transcribed and the transcriptions are being interpreted using the NVIVO software.

Interview Questions

Demographics Tell me about yourself.  Age  Gender  Ethnicity  Marital Status  Who do you live with?  Do you have children?

Work History Tell me about your work.  What is your present job?  Are you happy with your job?  Are there opportunities for advancement?  Are you able to make ends meet?  Are you satisfied with your present salary?  What other jobs have you had?

Life Satisfaction How would you assess your situation from a satisfaction perspective? On a scale of 1-10 how satisfied would you say you are with where you are on your life path and why did you give yourself that rating?

School History Which elementary and secondary schools did you attend and for how long? Did you graduate? When you think back to your elementary and secondary education what parts do you remember as being particularly helpful to your present life situation? Please recount a specific situation that demonstrates what was helpful? On the other hand, were there things that happened that were unhelpful or detrimental to you? Again, please you identify a situation to demonstrate the unhelpful aspects? If you could go back to high school knowing what you know now, what do you wish you had learned that you did not learn?

Do you remember a teacher who had a significant effect on your education? Describe the teacher and what made that person significant? Are there teacher qualities that were supportive of your learning? Are there teacher qualities that did not facilitate your learning? What aspects of your education were most important to you? What could schools do to make education more effective? What things do schools need to stop doing to make education more effective? What other suggestions might you give to educators?

Follow-up Do you have any follow-up comments? Are there other persons you suggest we talk to?

Results The transcripts are presently being analyzed using NVIVO qualitative software. An interpretation of these results will be available by the Research Exchange.

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