Document Type

Graduate Project

Date of Degree Completion

Summer 2005

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Education

Committee Chair

Lee A. Plourde

Second Committee Member

Steven A. Schmitz

Third Committee Member

Lanny Fitch

Abstract

In recent years there has been a growing public, professional, and scientific concern about the effects of teenage pregnancy on young women and their offspring (Fergusson & Woodward, 2000). This study aims to identify the root causes for this public concern. The aim of this qualitative study was to determine what factors influenced the level of academic achievement teen mothers accomplished. This study examined services teen mothers accessed during their schooling from the community and schools. Family and work experiences were also looked at in this study. The purpose of this study was to examine early warning signs of academic failure within the teen mother population. The study explored and examined personal experiences that contributed to how much education a teen mother achieved. Participants were chosen by fitting certain criteria. Participants were over the age of 20, and had their first child between the ages of 13 and 19. All participants resided in Central Washington. Information was gathered through the use of questionnaires and individual interviews. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed for the most accurate information. After all data were collected, they were coded and sorted for common attributes. There is very valuable information shared from participants that can help society evaluate the effectiveness of programs available to help teen mothers succeed. This study will help identify resources that could assist teen mothers to achieve their maximum potential in education and employment. The benefits to society would include helping schools and social agencies better understand how supportive services affect the amount of education a teen parent achieves.

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