Research Article
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Examining the Differences in School Satisfaction between Students and their Parents in Abu Dhabi

Year 2017, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 1 - 12, 31.12.2017
https://doi.org/10.17985/ijare.345945

Abstract

There appeared to be no study in the
extant literature that compared a student’s school satisfaction with that of
his/her parent. This study aimed to bridge this literature gap, drawing on data
from a merged dataset of a student survey and a parent survey that were
conducted in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in 2013, involving 6,111 grade 5-12
public school students and their parents. The differences in school
satisfaction between a student and his/her parent were examined through a
paired analysis. The results showed that while student school satisfaction was
highly correlated with parent school satisfaction, there was a statistically
significant difference between a student and his/her parent in their ratings of
school satisfaction, especially concerning the issues of school safety and
parent involvement. Schools were reminded to factor in the potential
differences in the opinions of different stakeholders in their stakeholder
communication and school improvement effort.
 

References

  • Badri, M., & Al Khaili, M. (2014). Migration of P-12 education from its current state to one of high quality – The aspirations of Abu Dhabi. Journal of Policy Futures in Education, 12(2), 200-220. doi: 10.2304/pfie.2014.12.2.200
  • Badri, M., El Mourad, T., Makki, R., Ferrandino, V., Mehaidat, J., & Aly, A. (2011). Divers of parent satisfaction with subjects taught in their children’s school. International Journal of Education Research, 6(2), 77-90. Retrieved from http://www.iabpad.com/journals/international-journal-of-education-research/
  • Baker, J. A. (2006). Contributions of teacher-child relationships to positive school adjustment during elementary school. Journal of Social Psychology, 44, 211-229. doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2006.02.002
  • Baker, J. A., Dilly, L. J., Aupperlee, J. L., & Patil, S. A. (2003). The developmental context of school satisfaction: Schools as psychologically healthy environments. School Psychology Quarterly, 18(2), 206-221. doi: 10.1521/scpq.18.2.206.21861
  • Bear, G. G., Yang, C., & Pasipanodya, E. (2015). Assessing school climate: validation of a brief measure of the perceptions of parents. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 33(2), 115-129. doi: 10.1177/0734282914545748
  • Beck, D. E., Maranto, R., & Lo, W.-J. (2014). Determinants of student and parent satisfaction at a cyber-charter school. Journal of Educational Research, 107(3), 209-216. doi: 10.1080/00220671.2013.807494
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (2012). Asking students about teaching: Student perception surveys and their implementation. Measures of Effective Teaching Project. Seattle, Washington: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • Bond, T., & King, J. (2003). Measuring client satisfaction with public education II: Comparing schools with state benchmarks. Journal of Applied Measurement, 4(2), 258-268. Retrieved from http://jampress.org
  • Brand, S., Felner, R., Shim, M., Seitsinger, A., & Dumas, T. (2003). Middle school improvement and reform: Development and validation of a school-level assessment of climate, cultural pluralism and school safety. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 570-588. doi: 10.1037/0022-0663.95.3.570
  • Cohen, J., McCabe, E. M., Michelli, N. M., & Pickeral, T. (2009). School climate: Research, policy, practice, and teacher education. Teachers College Record, 111(1), 180-213. Retrieved from http://www.tcrecord.org/Content.asp?ContentId=15220
  • Cooper, A., & Letts, K. (2002). A parent report card: Universal prekindergarten in New York City. New York: Centre for Early Care and Education.
  • Danielsen, A. G., Samdal, O., Hetland, J., & Wold, B. (2009). School-related social support and students’ perceived life satisfaction. Journal of Education Research, 102 (4), 303-318. doi: 10.3200/JOER.102.4.303-320
  • Denessen, E., Driessen, G., & Sleegers, P. (2005). Segregation by choice? A study into group-specific reasons for school choice. Journal of Education Policy, 20(3), 347-368. doi: 10.1080/02680930500108981
  • Ding, C., & Hall, A. (2007). Gender, ethnicity, and grade differences in perceptions of school experiences among adolescents. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 33(2), 159-174. doi: 10.1016/j.stueduc.2007.04.004
  • Fan, W., Williams, C. M., & Corkin, D. M. (2011). A multilevel analysis of student perceptions of school climate: The effect of social and academic risk factors. Psychology in the Schools, 48(6), 632-647. doi: 10.1002/pits.20579
  • Friedman, B. A., Bobrowski, P. E., & Geraci, J. (2006). Parents’ school satisfaction: Ethnic similarities and differences. Journal of Educational Administration, 44(5), 471-486. doi: 10.1108/09578230610683769
  • Friedman, B., Bobrowski, P., & Markow, D. (2007). Predictors of parents’ satisfaction with their children’s school. Journal of Educational Administration, 45(3), 278-288. doi: 10.1108/09578230710747811
  • Gibbons, S., & Silva, O. (2011). School quality, child wellbeing and parents’ satisfaction. Economics of Education Review, 30, 312-331. doi: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2010.11.001
  • Griffith, J. (2000). School climate as group evaluation and group consensus: Student and parent perceptions of the elementary school environment. The Elementary School Journal, 101(1), 35-61. doi: 10.1086/499658
  • Hastings, J., & Weinstein, J. (2008). Information, school choice, and academic achievement: Evidence from two experiments. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 123(4), 1373-1414. doi: 10.1162/qjec.2008.123.4.1373
  • Huebner, E. S., Drane, J. W., & Valois, R. F. (2000). Levels and demographic correlates of adolescent life satisfactory reports. School Psychology International, 21(3), 218-292. doi: 10.1177/0143034300213005
  • Huebner, E. S., Ash, C., & Laughlin, J. E. (2001). Life experiences, locus of control, and school satisfaction in adolescence. Social Indicators Research, 55(2), 167-183. doi: 10.1023/A:1010939912548
  • Hui, E. K. P., & Sun, R. C. F. (2010). Chinese children’s perceived school satisfaction: The role of contextual and intrapersonal factors. Educational Psychology, 30(2), 155-172. doi: 10.1080/01443410903494452
  • Karatzias, A., Power, K. G., Flemming, J., Lennan, F., & Swanson, V. (2002). The role of demographics, personality variables and school stress on predicting school satisfaction/dissatisfaction and research findings. Educational Psychology, 22, 33-50. doi: 10.1080/01443410120101233
  • Loukas, A., & Murphy, J. L. (2007). Middle school perceptions of school climate: Examining protective functions on subsequent adjustment problems. Journal of School Psychology, 45, 293-309. doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2006.10.001
  • Macpherson, R., Kachelhoffer, P., & ElNemr, M. (2007). The radical modernization of school and education system leadership in the United Arab Emirates: Towards indigenized and educative leadership. International Studies in Educational Administration, 35(1), 60-77. Retrieved from https://web.b.ebscohost.com/
  • Newgent, R. A., Lounsbery, K. L., Keller, E. A., Baker, C. R., Cavell, T. A., & Boughfman, E. M. (2009). Differential perceptions of bullying in the schools: A comparison of student, parent, teacher, school counselor, and principal reports. Journal of School Counseling, 7(38), 1-33. Retrieved from http://jsc.montana.edu/articles/v7n38.pdf
  • Nickerson, A. B., & Nagle, R. J. (2004). The influence of parent and peer attachments on life satisfaction in middle childhood and early adolescence. Social Indicators Research, 66, 35-60. Doi: 10.1023/B:SOCI.0000007496.42095.2c
  • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). (2006). Demand-sensitive schooling: Evidence and issues. Paris: OECD.
  • Patterson, J. A., Hale, D., & Stessman, M. (2007). Culture contradictions and school leaving: A case study of an urban high school. High School Journal, 91(2), 1-15. doi: 10.1353/hsj.2008.0001
  • Randolph, J., Kangas, M., & Ruokamo, H. (2010). Predictors of Dutch and Finnish students’ satisfaction with schooling. Journal of Happiness Studies, 11(2), 193-204. doi: 10.1007/s10902-008-9131-4
  • Räty, H., Kasanen, K., & Honkalampi, K. (2006). Three years later: A follow-up study of parents’ assessments of their children’s competencies. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36, 2079-2099. doi: 10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00095.x
  • Samdal, O., Nutbeam, B., Wold, B., & Kannas, L. (1998). Achieving health and educational goals through schools - A study of the importance of school climate and the students’ satisfaction with school. Health Education Research: Theory & Practice, 13(3), 383-397. doi: 10.1093/her/13.3.383
  • Thompson, G. L. (2003). Predicting African American parents’ and guardians’ satisfaction with teachers and public schools. Journal of Education Research, 96(5), 277-285. doi: 10.1080/00220670309597640
  • Varela, F. J., Thompson, E., & Rosch, E. (1999). The embodied mind: cognitive science and human experience. Cambridge, M.A.: MIT Press.
  • Verkuyten, M., & Thijs, J. (2002). School satisfaction of elementary school children: The role of performance, peer relations, ethnicity, and gender. Social Indicators Research, 59, 203-228. doi: 10.1023/A:1016279602893
  • Yang, G. (2015). What do Abu Dhabi parents want? A closer examination of parent’s preferences for school characteristics and child educational goals. Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Education Council.
  • Zullig, K. J., Koopman, T. M., & Patton, J. M. (2011). Relationships among school climate domains and school satisfaction. Psychology in the Schools, 48(2), 133-145. doi: 10.1002/pits.20532
Year 2017, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 1 - 12, 31.12.2017
https://doi.org/10.17985/ijare.345945

Abstract

References

  • Badri, M., & Al Khaili, M. (2014). Migration of P-12 education from its current state to one of high quality – The aspirations of Abu Dhabi. Journal of Policy Futures in Education, 12(2), 200-220. doi: 10.2304/pfie.2014.12.2.200
  • Badri, M., El Mourad, T., Makki, R., Ferrandino, V., Mehaidat, J., & Aly, A. (2011). Divers of parent satisfaction with subjects taught in their children’s school. International Journal of Education Research, 6(2), 77-90. Retrieved from http://www.iabpad.com/journals/international-journal-of-education-research/
  • Baker, J. A. (2006). Contributions of teacher-child relationships to positive school adjustment during elementary school. Journal of Social Psychology, 44, 211-229. doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2006.02.002
  • Baker, J. A., Dilly, L. J., Aupperlee, J. L., & Patil, S. A. (2003). The developmental context of school satisfaction: Schools as psychologically healthy environments. School Psychology Quarterly, 18(2), 206-221. doi: 10.1521/scpq.18.2.206.21861
  • Bear, G. G., Yang, C., & Pasipanodya, E. (2015). Assessing school climate: validation of a brief measure of the perceptions of parents. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 33(2), 115-129. doi: 10.1177/0734282914545748
  • Beck, D. E., Maranto, R., & Lo, W.-J. (2014). Determinants of student and parent satisfaction at a cyber-charter school. Journal of Educational Research, 107(3), 209-216. doi: 10.1080/00220671.2013.807494
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (2012). Asking students about teaching: Student perception surveys and their implementation. Measures of Effective Teaching Project. Seattle, Washington: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • Bond, T., & King, J. (2003). Measuring client satisfaction with public education II: Comparing schools with state benchmarks. Journal of Applied Measurement, 4(2), 258-268. Retrieved from http://jampress.org
  • Brand, S., Felner, R., Shim, M., Seitsinger, A., & Dumas, T. (2003). Middle school improvement and reform: Development and validation of a school-level assessment of climate, cultural pluralism and school safety. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 570-588. doi: 10.1037/0022-0663.95.3.570
  • Cohen, J., McCabe, E. M., Michelli, N. M., & Pickeral, T. (2009). School climate: Research, policy, practice, and teacher education. Teachers College Record, 111(1), 180-213. Retrieved from http://www.tcrecord.org/Content.asp?ContentId=15220
  • Cooper, A., & Letts, K. (2002). A parent report card: Universal prekindergarten in New York City. New York: Centre for Early Care and Education.
  • Danielsen, A. G., Samdal, O., Hetland, J., & Wold, B. (2009). School-related social support and students’ perceived life satisfaction. Journal of Education Research, 102 (4), 303-318. doi: 10.3200/JOER.102.4.303-320
  • Denessen, E., Driessen, G., & Sleegers, P. (2005). Segregation by choice? A study into group-specific reasons for school choice. Journal of Education Policy, 20(3), 347-368. doi: 10.1080/02680930500108981
  • Ding, C., & Hall, A. (2007). Gender, ethnicity, and grade differences in perceptions of school experiences among adolescents. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 33(2), 159-174. doi: 10.1016/j.stueduc.2007.04.004
  • Fan, W., Williams, C. M., & Corkin, D. M. (2011). A multilevel analysis of student perceptions of school climate: The effect of social and academic risk factors. Psychology in the Schools, 48(6), 632-647. doi: 10.1002/pits.20579
  • Friedman, B. A., Bobrowski, P. E., & Geraci, J. (2006). Parents’ school satisfaction: Ethnic similarities and differences. Journal of Educational Administration, 44(5), 471-486. doi: 10.1108/09578230610683769
  • Friedman, B., Bobrowski, P., & Markow, D. (2007). Predictors of parents’ satisfaction with their children’s school. Journal of Educational Administration, 45(3), 278-288. doi: 10.1108/09578230710747811
  • Gibbons, S., & Silva, O. (2011). School quality, child wellbeing and parents’ satisfaction. Economics of Education Review, 30, 312-331. doi: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2010.11.001
  • Griffith, J. (2000). School climate as group evaluation and group consensus: Student and parent perceptions of the elementary school environment. The Elementary School Journal, 101(1), 35-61. doi: 10.1086/499658
  • Hastings, J., & Weinstein, J. (2008). Information, school choice, and academic achievement: Evidence from two experiments. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 123(4), 1373-1414. doi: 10.1162/qjec.2008.123.4.1373
  • Huebner, E. S., Drane, J. W., & Valois, R. F. (2000). Levels and demographic correlates of adolescent life satisfactory reports. School Psychology International, 21(3), 218-292. doi: 10.1177/0143034300213005
  • Huebner, E. S., Ash, C., & Laughlin, J. E. (2001). Life experiences, locus of control, and school satisfaction in adolescence. Social Indicators Research, 55(2), 167-183. doi: 10.1023/A:1010939912548
  • Hui, E. K. P., & Sun, R. C. F. (2010). Chinese children’s perceived school satisfaction: The role of contextual and intrapersonal factors. Educational Psychology, 30(2), 155-172. doi: 10.1080/01443410903494452
  • Karatzias, A., Power, K. G., Flemming, J., Lennan, F., & Swanson, V. (2002). The role of demographics, personality variables and school stress on predicting school satisfaction/dissatisfaction and research findings. Educational Psychology, 22, 33-50. doi: 10.1080/01443410120101233
  • Loukas, A., & Murphy, J. L. (2007). Middle school perceptions of school climate: Examining protective functions on subsequent adjustment problems. Journal of School Psychology, 45, 293-309. doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2006.10.001
  • Macpherson, R., Kachelhoffer, P., & ElNemr, M. (2007). The radical modernization of school and education system leadership in the United Arab Emirates: Towards indigenized and educative leadership. International Studies in Educational Administration, 35(1), 60-77. Retrieved from https://web.b.ebscohost.com/
  • Newgent, R. A., Lounsbery, K. L., Keller, E. A., Baker, C. R., Cavell, T. A., & Boughfman, E. M. (2009). Differential perceptions of bullying in the schools: A comparison of student, parent, teacher, school counselor, and principal reports. Journal of School Counseling, 7(38), 1-33. Retrieved from http://jsc.montana.edu/articles/v7n38.pdf
  • Nickerson, A. B., & Nagle, R. J. (2004). The influence of parent and peer attachments on life satisfaction in middle childhood and early adolescence. Social Indicators Research, 66, 35-60. Doi: 10.1023/B:SOCI.0000007496.42095.2c
  • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). (2006). Demand-sensitive schooling: Evidence and issues. Paris: OECD.
  • Patterson, J. A., Hale, D., & Stessman, M. (2007). Culture contradictions and school leaving: A case study of an urban high school. High School Journal, 91(2), 1-15. doi: 10.1353/hsj.2008.0001
  • Randolph, J., Kangas, M., & Ruokamo, H. (2010). Predictors of Dutch and Finnish students’ satisfaction with schooling. Journal of Happiness Studies, 11(2), 193-204. doi: 10.1007/s10902-008-9131-4
  • Räty, H., Kasanen, K., & Honkalampi, K. (2006). Three years later: A follow-up study of parents’ assessments of their children’s competencies. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36, 2079-2099. doi: 10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00095.x
  • Samdal, O., Nutbeam, B., Wold, B., & Kannas, L. (1998). Achieving health and educational goals through schools - A study of the importance of school climate and the students’ satisfaction with school. Health Education Research: Theory & Practice, 13(3), 383-397. doi: 10.1093/her/13.3.383
  • Thompson, G. L. (2003). Predicting African American parents’ and guardians’ satisfaction with teachers and public schools. Journal of Education Research, 96(5), 277-285. doi: 10.1080/00220670309597640
  • Varela, F. J., Thompson, E., & Rosch, E. (1999). The embodied mind: cognitive science and human experience. Cambridge, M.A.: MIT Press.
  • Verkuyten, M., & Thijs, J. (2002). School satisfaction of elementary school children: The role of performance, peer relations, ethnicity, and gender. Social Indicators Research, 59, 203-228. doi: 10.1023/A:1016279602893
  • Yang, G. (2015). What do Abu Dhabi parents want? A closer examination of parent’s preferences for school characteristics and child educational goals. Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Education Council.
  • Zullig, K. J., Koopman, T. M., & Patton, J. M. (2011). Relationships among school climate domains and school satisfaction. Psychology in the Schools, 48(2), 133-145. doi: 10.1002/pits.20532
There are 38 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Guang Yang

Masood Badri This is me

Asma Al Rashedi This is me

Karima Almazroui This is me

Publication Date December 31, 2017
Submission Date October 23, 2017
Acceptance Date June 14, 2018
Published in Issue Year 2017 Volume: 3 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Yang, G., Badri, M., Al Rashedi, A., Almazroui, K. (2017). Examining the Differences in School Satisfaction between Students and their Parents in Abu Dhabi. International Journal of Academic Research in Education, 3(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.17985/ijare.345945
AMA Yang G, Badri M, Al Rashedi A, Almazroui K. Examining the Differences in School Satisfaction between Students and their Parents in Abu Dhabi. IJARE. December 2017;3(2):1-12. doi:10.17985/ijare.345945
Chicago Yang, Guang, Masood Badri, Asma Al Rashedi, and Karima Almazroui. “Examining the Differences in School Satisfaction Between Students and Their Parents in Abu Dhabi”. International Journal of Academic Research in Education 3, no. 2 (December 2017): 1-12. https://doi.org/10.17985/ijare.345945.
EndNote Yang G, Badri M, Al Rashedi A, Almazroui K (December 1, 2017) Examining the Differences in School Satisfaction between Students and their Parents in Abu Dhabi. International Journal of Academic Research in Education 3 2 1–12.
IEEE G. Yang, M. Badri, A. Al Rashedi, and K. Almazroui, “Examining the Differences in School Satisfaction between Students and their Parents in Abu Dhabi”, IJARE, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 1–12, 2017, doi: 10.17985/ijare.345945.
ISNAD Yang, Guang et al. “Examining the Differences in School Satisfaction Between Students and Their Parents in Abu Dhabi”. International Journal of Academic Research in Education 3/2 (December 2017), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.17985/ijare.345945.
JAMA Yang G, Badri M, Al Rashedi A, Almazroui K. Examining the Differences in School Satisfaction between Students and their Parents in Abu Dhabi. IJARE. 2017;3:1–12.
MLA Yang, Guang et al. “Examining the Differences in School Satisfaction Between Students and Their Parents in Abu Dhabi”. International Journal of Academic Research in Education, vol. 3, no. 2, 2017, pp. 1-12, doi:10.17985/ijare.345945.
Vancouver Yang G, Badri M, Al Rashedi A, Almazroui K. Examining the Differences in School Satisfaction between Students and their Parents in Abu Dhabi. IJARE. 2017;3(2):1-12.