A study of elementary student voice in a school-based after school program
Abstract
After school programs have been around for many years and play a role in the lives of many elementary age students. Although the makeup of programs is vast and differing, so many
of them impact students on a daily basis. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to
investigate how participants describe and experience their after school program. Specifically
looking at one elementary after school program and what parts of the program students enjoyed
along with what they believed to be less favorable.
Participants of the study included elementary students within the after school program.
The students were in grades pre kindergarten through fifth graders. There were 27 students
interviewed within the six student focus groups. There was one adult focus group containing two
staff members. In all, observations along with seven focus group interviews were conducted in
order to cover the makeup of an after school program.
The data were analyzed using Mitra's (2004) student voice framework. This microstructure
refers to Carver's (1997) ABC's of youth development. These concepts help give a
better understanding of the foundation of student voice. The three concepts are agency (decision
making), belonging (relationships), and competence (what they learned). They are all important
to the structure, focus, and outcomes of this study.
Implications of the study included moving after school programming from traditional to
student-centered. In addition, after school programs incorporating student voice per Mitra's
(2004) framework of agency, belonging, and competence.
Description
Thesis (Ed.D.)-- Wichita State University, College of Education, Dept. of Counseling, Educational Leadership, Education and School Psychology