Date of Conferral
1972
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisor
Darryl D. Laramore, PhD
Abstract
The major purpose of this investigation was to make a comparison of grade-point averages, earned by military dependent students in overseas Dependent Schools, with the grade-point averages of a comparably non-mobile student society with whom they graduated in the united states. The study of the situation existing in the Novato High School, Novato, Marin County, California over a period of years prompted the investigation conducted during the school year 1971-1972. Data for the investigation was derived from the permanent record cards of 2,173 graduated students over a period of five graduating classes, 1966- 1970. The Novato High School has been for many years, the terminus of high school education for military-dependent students whose parents are assigned to the Hamilton Air Force Base, which is located within the city limits of Novato, California. Procedure for the investigation was to identify those permanent records of military-dependent students who had studied in one Overseas Dependent School for at least one semester of their four years of high school work. Ninety-nine identified students were included in the investigation and designated: Group A (Military-Dependent) students.
.;.,
The number of overseas military-dependent students identified represented less than ten percent of the class they graduated with. Employing a table of random numbers as the method for selection, 99 non-military and non-mobile students of the same graduating classes were chosen as the comparison group and designated: Group B (Non-Military) students. A total of 198 students were included in the study. The criterion variables used in this investigation
were the following: 1) Class Year, 2) Sex, 3) Grade-Point Average, 4) Area of overseas Study; viz, Europe or Pacific 5) Number of Semesters Studied overseas. Variables 4 and 5 were for correlation studies within the military-dependent group, only. Statistical design for analysis of the data employed the use of the G4 CAL T Test for multiple analysis of variance procedure; two-tailed t tests were used to test the null hypotheses generated by the investigation. The analysis was made through employment of the computer at the University of California, Berkeley. As a result of questions proposed during the investigation five null hypotheses were tested for significance at the .05 level of confidence with the following results:
1. There is no significant difference in mean grade-point averages of Group A (Military-Dependents) and Group B (Non-Military) students. The null hypothesis was rejected.
2. There is no significant difference in mean grade point average achievement between military-dependent males and non-military males. The null hypothesis
was rejected.
3. There is no significant difference in mean grade point average achievement between military-dependent females and :n,on-mili tary females. The null hypothesis was accepted.
4. There is no significant relationship within the military, between the area of study and any other variable particularly grade-point average. The null hypothesis was accepted.
5. There is no significant relationship within the military between semesters overseas and any other variable studied particularly grade-point average. The null hypothesis was accepted.
As a result of this investigation it is recommended that similar studies be conducted in school districts that have a transient military-dependent student body from overseas. To validate the findings of this investigation it is suggested that additional variables, comparable to both groups, be added to measure achievement as proof that mobility affects achievement. Studies should be made to assure that the curriculum of secondary schools meets the needs of a society that is apparently more mobile than in any other time in the history of the United States. Investigations should also be made of mobile students whose parents are employed by national corporations owning subsidiary companies in foreign lands, and for whom movement with family to these foreign posts is necessary. Where these students obtain their education, and achievement recorded, is important to further comprehension of academic success of Am
Recommended Citation
Eddy, Robert John, "Grade-Point Averages of Oversears Military-Dependent Students Compared to Grade-Point Averages of Non-Military Students" (1972). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 430.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/430
