Abstract

There are many national and international schools in Cairo today, and every year lots of parents make educational choices for their children. Those choices are based on various factors. This research explores the factors that influence parents to select a certain school type and not the other. It is an initial step into school research as an attempt to help educators and administrators understand parents’ and students’ priorities, needs and expectations when choosing a school. The research questions are: (1) What are the most and least important factors that parents consider when choosing a national/ international school for their children? (2) What are the reasons that parents cite for not choosing the other type of school for their children? (3) What background experiences influence parents’ school type choice decision? and (4) Do parents and students feel that the current school type meets their needs? This research uses a mixed approach of quantitative and qualitative methods. An analysis of 41 students interviewed revealed that friends are the best thing students enjoy about going to school. Fun lessons, the way of instruction and the school’s facilities were repeated by most students as things that could be changed to make their schools more interesting for them. An analysis of 31 parents interviewed and 39 parents who responded to the questionnaires revealed that mothers are the ones who make educational decisions for their children. The analysis also revealed that the child’s friends, having highly qualified teachers and a school’s safety procedures are the top three common factors that influenced all parents when choosing a certain school type. This research will contribute to future research on similar topics. It targets school reform as it will help school leaders, administrators and teachers better understand what parents and students are looking for when choosing a certain school type.

Department

International & Comparative Education Department

Degree Name

MA in International & Comparative Education

Graduation Date

Summer 12-30-2014

Submission Date

May 2012

First Advisor

Rissmann-Joyce, Stacie

Second Advisor

NA

Third Advisor

NA

Committee Member 1

Megahed, Nagwa

Committee Member 2

Jarrar, Samir

Committee Member 3

Hozayin, Russanne

Extent

87 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy. The author has granted the American University in Cairo or its agents a non-exclusive license to archive this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study, and to make it accessible, in whole or in part, in all forms of media, now or hereafter known.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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