| The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of African American male students in three Alabama alternative schools in order to determine if perceptions are predictive of dropout behavior within alternative schools. There is a critical need for this examination due to the substantial number of alternative school dropouts in the United States. Predictably, if students have a negative perception of the assigned alternative school, negative behavior continues, and chances of dropping out and not completing graduation are tremendously increased. A chi-square goodness-of-fit test was used to determine if the observed perceptions of alternative school culture of African American male students regarding safety, rules, teachers, curriculum, and school membership were consistent with the null hypotheses. The chi-square goodness-of-fit test identified no significant differences in students' perceptions and the hypothesized distribution, allowing the researcher to postulate the potential influence of African American male students' perceptions of safety, rules, curriculum, and school membership in alternative schools on dropping out and failing to graduate. The chi-square goodness-of-fit test assisted in determining if the observed frequencies were different from expected ones. A survey was used to obtain data regarding the students' perceptions of school culture which includes safety, rules, teachers, curriculum and school membership. It is anticipated that the study's findings would reveal that the noted variables contributed greatly to the experiences of African American male students in alternative schools, and when negative, to dropout behavior. It is hoped that the alternative schools that are identified as inadequately meeting the needs of students would examine curricula and other aspects of school culture in order to better serve students who may be falling behind academically. The study suggests a need for research of a larger population of African American male students in alternative school as well as a different geographical area. |
