A comparative analysis of program offerings in the larger and smaller regional high schools of Newfoundland

• Main Author: Davis, Hudson H.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1968
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/7104/; https://research.library.mun.ca/7104/1/Davis_HudsonH.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/7104/3/Davis_HudsonH.pdf

This investigation presents a comparative analysis of program offerings in the larger and smaller Regional High Schools of Newfoundland. A basic assumption of the study was that a balanced program of academic, cultural, physical, and social activities is necessary for high school students today; and, that this is a realistic program for the larger and the smaller Regional High Schools of the province. The subject areas investigated were English, mathematics, science, art, music, physical education, and student activities. -- In the conduct of the study the investigator visited the seven largest and the seven smallest Regional High Schools. Data were obtained through interviews with teachers and principals, using an interview schedule adapted from the Evaluative Criteria of the National Study of Secondary School Evaluation, an American organization. The schedule contained almost a thousand checklist items, and 169 criteria evaluations. A median test was applied to each of these evaluative items to determine whether there was any statistical significance between the ratings assigned the larger and the smaller high schools. -- Underlying the whole study was the general hypothesis that the larger schools would be assigned higher ratings on the evaluative instrument than the smaller schools. The findings of the study confirmed the general hypothesis, in that on eighty-two items a significant difference was evident. When large school median evaluations were compared with small school medians the difference appeared more pronounced, as 147 of these ratings favoured the larger schools. The areas showing least difference were art, mathematics, music, and student activities. Greatest differences were evident in the programs for science and physical education. -- The findings lead to one general conclusion: to the extent that higher ratings on the evaluative criteria may indicate superiority of one program over another, the larger Regional High Schools of Newfoundland offer a better program than do the smaller Regional ...