Search

This report contains accounts of the scale construction, reliability, and validity of an instrument used to collect parent survey data in a study of Catholic inner-city high schools. The survey was designed to ascertain parents' involvement in their children's schooling based on parental knowledge, reasons for school choice, expectations and personal background characteristics, and perceptions of the school chosen. These data are useful in determining the extent to which parents interact with a school of choice, which is thought to have a significant impact on the academic and social performance of their children. The report is introduced by a discussion of the conceptualization of the survey instrument, based on the research literature, the rationale for selecting the research methodology used, and an explanation of the researchers' approach to scale construction. The main analytic tools were factor analysis, followed by reliability analysis, to assess further the internal consistency of the resulting dimensions. The report also explains how the survey was administered, describes its parent population, and suggests how the instrument could be modified for future use. Appendixes include the questionnaire and a master key for analysis showing all variables and variable combinations. The report includes 32 tables. (AF)