Pursuing a Dream: The Lived Experiences of Early Leavers and Their Return to Alternative High School

Authors

Patrick Morrissette, Brandon UniversityFollow

Abstract

This article describes a phenomenological study that explored the experiences of early leavers who chose to return to high school in order to pursue their diploma. Eighteen students, including males and females, participated in individual tape recorded interviews, during which they described their experiences, yielding written protocols that were thematically analyzed. Results from this study revealed seven prominent themes that included the following (a) facing reality, (b) launching process, (c) determination, (d) overcoming barriers, (e) supportive influences, (f) proving self, and (g) learning context. Findings and implications for educators and future research are included.

Keywords

Alternative, Education, Diploma, Qualitative, Research, Phenomenology

Author Bio(s)

Patrick J. Morrissette, Ph.D., is a Full Professor of Health Studies at Brandon University. Correspondence can be addressed directly to: 27018^th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 6A9 Canada or morrissette@brandonu.ca.

Acknowledgements

I wish to acknowledge Mr. Jim Ferguson, Susan Gilleshammer and Dr. Donna Michaels, former CEO and Superintendent of Schools, Brandon School Division for their interest and support of this research. I am especially grateful to the participants for their invaluable contribution.

Publication Date

2-16-2018

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2018.3148

Recommended APA Citation

Morrissette, P. (2018). Pursuing a Dream: The Lived Experiences of Early Leavers and Their Return to Alternative High School. The Qualitative Report, 23(2), 422-438. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2018.3148