Description
The intention of this research is to bring us to Worcester, Massachusetts, New England's second largest city, to critically investigate the punitive patterns that exist in the "second chance" opportunity structure experienced by young people who have been dropped-out of schools. The conceptual framework I've constructed pulls from developed theories on the relationship between structural processes, institutional practices and lived experiences of marginalization. There is a need to understand how the process of school leaving, the label of "dropout," and the pursuit of second-chance opportunity are connected and exercise forms of punishment that have clear messages about the worth of these young men's aspirations and the value in fostering support for their opportunities. This critical ethnography introduces the narratives of four young men, marginalized by race and class, whose pursuits of alternative education pathways in Worcester, MA lead them towards constructing an inclusive opportunity on one's own terms. My assertion here is that the social issue is not exclusively about "dropouts," but about the relationships our schools, neighborhoods and society at large have on creating the enabling conditions of opportunity for our most marginalized students.
Details
Title
- In pursuit of opportunity: alternative education pathways for dropped-out students in Worcester, MA
Contributors
- Begin, Meshia (Author)
- Lopez, Vera (Thesis advisor)
- Cheng, Wendy (Committee member)
- Sandlin, Jennifer (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2014
Subjects
- Sociology Of Education
- Continuing education
- Cultural Anthropology
- Alternative education
- dropout student
- opportunity gap
- School discipline
- schooling marginalization
- Education, Urban
- Minority high school students--Education--Massachusetts--Worcester.
- Minority high school students
- High school dropouts--Education--Massachusetts--Worcester.
- High school dropouts
- High school boys--Education--Massachusetts--Worcester.
- High school boys
- Alternative education--Massachusetts--Worcester.
- Alternative education
Resource Type
Collections this item is in
Note
- thesisPartial requirement for: M.S., Arizona State University, 2014
- bibliographyIncludes bibliographical references (p. 135-139)
- Field of study: Justice studies
Citation and reuse
Statement of Responsibility
by Meshia Begin