Date of Award/Publication

4-2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Special Education

Department

Education

First Supervisor

Susan M. Schultz

Abstract

In the past fifty to sixty years divorce rates have risen exponentially. In 1950 the divorce rate was approximately ten percent (Michael, 1988). Today, it towers at fifty percent (Amato, 2009). As divorce rates have risen, researchers have sought to examine its effects on children‟s education in public schools. The following work synthesizes the findings of this research. Early research has indicated that divorce has caused a significant decrease in student‟s academic success, achievement, and attainment. Additionally, divorce is sighted for increasing public school ills such as tardiness, skipping school, and suspension from school. In addition to the existing material on the subject of divorce and education, I have created and administered a survey, which seeks to further study the impact of divorce on student academia. My new data and research closely parallels and confirms previously created studies. The vast majority of research on divorce and education agrees that divorce does have an adverse effect on student achievement. Likewise, most research suggests that divorce increases student tardiness, skipping, and suspension. As divorce is increasingly known and accepted to negatively impact student performance it should be used sparingly, entangling fewer children in the first place. If divorce involving children cannot be avoided, greater measures to support and encourage children‟s continuing academic success should be put in place.

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