Description
Book SynopsisOver the course of ten years, this extensive qualitative study focused on the academic resilience phenomenon. The research delves into the educational resilience experiences of fifty low socioeconomic students of color from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds. In addition to chronicling specific protective factors and processes active in the students'' lives, several symbiotic relationships between groups of protective factors are documented and explored. A Resilience Cycle theory, which was chronicled in previous works of the authors, is used as a framework to view essential elements of the students'' academic success. Ultimately, the data and findings are used to propose practical suggestions for promoting academic resilience in at-risk youth nationwide. Furthermore, because one author specializes in education and the other in psychology, both of these disciplines are brought to bear on this crucial and understudied topic.
Trade ReviewAn excellent resource for educational professionals seeking to reach out to their most disadvantaged students, A Focus on Hope is sorely needed, especially in the tough economic times today when education is more vital than ever to securing a stable and rewarding future. Highly recommended. * Midwest Book Review *
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Meeting the Students and Capturing their Stories Chapter 3: The "Resilience Cycle": An Overview Chapter 4: The Cycle in Context: Spoke 1 "Recognizing Reality" Chapter 5: The Cycle in Context: Spoke 2 "Manifesting Help" Chapter 6: The Cycle in Context: Spoke 3 "Synthesizing Resources" Chapter 7: The Cycle in Context: Spoke 4 "Evaluating and Enhancing" Chapter 8: The Cycle in Context: Spoke 5 "Developed Habits and Goals" Chapter 9: Facilitating Resilience: Practical Implications Chapter 10 References Chapter 11 Index Chapter 12 Appendix A: Resilient Students' Demographic Information Chapter 13 Appendix B: The Resilience Cycle Chapter 14 Appendix C: Resilient Students' Institutional Data Chapter 15 Appendix D: Resilient Students and Major Protective Factors Chapter 16 Appendix E: Major Psychological Stressors Associated with Academic Achievement Chapter 17 Appendix F: Individual Student Demographics (N=50)
