The attitudes of teachers and students toward student rights in selected integrated high schools in eastern Newfoundland

• Main Author: Templeman, Harry R.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1988
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/4345/; https://research.library.mun.ca/4345/1/Templeman_HarryR.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/4345/3/Templeman_HarryR.pdf

The major purpose of this study was to examine teacher and student attitudes toward student rights in selected integrated high schools in Eastern Newfoundland. These attitudes were analyzed for both teachers and students by computing and comparing the means for each item, area, and for the total questionnaire. T-tests were used to make these comparisons. The study's secondary purpose was to analyze teacher attitudes in relation to various demographic variables such as sex, age, teaching certificate, school size, and the completion or non-completion of a university course in school law. The attitudes of students enrolled in Levels I, II, and III were also analyzed in relation to demographic variables such as sex, age, career aspirations, school size, and the completion or non-completion of Canadian Law 2104. Data for this secondary purpose were analyzed by multiple regression, using the SPSS package. -- Information was collected through a self-designed questionnaire administered to two hundred and twenty teachers and nine hundred Levels I, II, and III students in regional and central high schools during October, 1987. The questionnaire was designed specifically for teachers and students and focused on specific aspects of student rights. Of particular concern in this study were teacher and student attitudes toward academic freedom, free speech and expression, personal appearance and behaviour, privacy, and reasonable punishment. -- The analysis of these data revealed that in the area of academic freedom there was a difference between the attitudes of teacher and student respondents. A large majority of the students claimed they should be entitled to these rights, but only a small percentage of the teachers felt that way. Actually, teachers showed least support for this particular area. Only slightly more than half of the students and an even smaller number of teachers indicated that students should have the rights of free speech and expression. The students themselves were least supportive of these rights. ...