Date of Conferral
2015
Degree
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
School
Education
Advisor
Dr. Boyd Dressler
Abstract
Student Perspectives Regarding School Failure at the American Samoa Community College
by
Siamaua Ropeti
MEd, University of Hawaii, Manoa, 2006
BEd, University of Hawaii, Manoa, 2000
Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Education
Walden University
December 2014
Students taking remedial English courses at the American Samoa Community College are facing problems relating to school failure. The purpose of this study was to explore the stories and experiences of students who were not passing in remedial English courses. This study was guided by (a) Weiner's attribution theory, which posits that students achieve when they can identify the causes of their success or failure; (b) Bandura's social cognitive, which explains student efficacy; (c) Covington's self-worth theory, contending there is a connection between emotions and the perceptions of motivation; and (d) critical race theory, which gives voices to racial oppression. The research question addressed the stories of students taking remedial English courses at American Samoa Community College (ASCC). A qualitative paradigm of a narrative analysis formed the basis for the semi structured interviews. Results revealed confusion of many students about services offered by the institution; results also revealed the increased influence of peer pressure and the need for improvement in instructional strategies. Based on these findings, it was recommended that a systematic organizational approach to all ASCC services and facilities be implemented. Positive social changes implicated by this study are a change in students' academic experiences through a proper orientation into ASCC, thus avoiding confusion and allowing student feedback to inform decisions. Accommodating students' needs based on students' feedback will decrease school failure and increase quality learning and achievement.
Recommended Citation
Ropeti, Siamaua, "Student Perspectives Regarding School Failure at the American Samoa Community College" (2015). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 190.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/190
