An Interactive Triangle Kalamaria Questionnaire Processing1

Office of School Professional Orientation of 1st General Lyceum of Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece

An Interactive Triangle Students - Parents - Teachers Learning by doing A Grundtvig project 2008 - 2009

The school teacher, the educational orientation of young people and the teachers Questionnaire of self-evaluation of indicative attitudes of the parents

Questionnaire processing

Thessaloniki, November 2008

The school teacher, the educational orientation of young people and the teachers Questionnaire of self-evaluation of indicative attitudes of the parents Instructions Below there is a list consisting of 24 sentences with indicative attitudes of the parents towards their children regarding some very important issues which concern directly and influence the way that young people make their choices and decisions and get prepared for new directions. The list is not complete, but it covers indicative areas concerning the values, expectations and indicative attitudes of the parents on issues which are related to the school teacher and the future career of their children. Next to each one of the sentences on the list that follows, there is an evaluation rate. Circle the number that best expresses the rate of your agreement with what is referred on each sentence.

Evaluation

scale

1=Absolutely Agree 2=Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 4=Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

Try to avoid rate number 3, because it might show that you are not probably aware of some of your attitudes, or you might want to avoid taking a view on several important issues of this questionnaire.

1

1. (*) I don’t consider my child being an extension of myself. 2. My own experience enables me to know better what is good for my child. 3. (*) I believe that young people have the critical ability needed for taking important decisions. 4. I can make a lot of sacrifices for my children, on the condition that they get high grades at school. 5. I believe that my child must succeed in the entrance examinations for university, because this way the family’s status will rise. 6. (*).I don’t try to influence my child on the choice for the education and future career that I consider correct. 7. I am not obliged to support my child financially for the educational or professional choices that I disagree with. 8. If my child succeeds in the entrance examinations for the university, he/she will definitely have a successful career. 9. I compare my child’s achievements to the achievements of the children of my relatives or acquaintances, so that my child will keep up with them and make more efforts. 10 (*) I don’t think that the fact that my child has succeeded in entering university will guarantee the quality of his/her studies, or his/her future career. 11 As a parent, I have the ability to know very well my child’s abilities and skills. 12 (*) I will not think that my child is unsuccessful if he/she fails entering university, although this would be something I would desire for him/her. 13 It is not necessary for Upper-High school students to have their personal life, because this will affect their time to study and be prepared for the university examinations in a negative way. 14 (*) I encourage my child to have alternative choices in his/her targets, in case his/her first target regarding his/her studies in university is not going to be realized. 15 Although I can afford to pay for my child’s studies in another city in our own country or in another country, I will try to avoid it, because I believe that he/she is not capable of living alone, away from home. 16 (*) I believe that time allocated for studies can be combined with pleasant free-time activities, as well. 17 I feel very anxious for my child’s future and I am afraid that this anxiety has been transferred from me to my child. 18 (*) I observe my child’s efforts for a successful future career with affection and interest without trying to disorientate him/her to directions that would satisfy my own desires for him/her. 19 (*) Acknowledging how complicated the professional world is today, I do not encourage my child to follow directions that would lead to a narrow professional training. 20 I believe that a good counselor should inform us on which professions our children should follow. 21 (*) I believe that a good counselor of professional orientation should help young people not only with the exploration of various aspects of their inner world (interests, inclinations, skills, abilities), but also with their efforts to develop themselves in a flexible and active way. 22 (*) I help my child to develop the ability to search actively and analyse critically as much information as possible. 23 (*) I believe that a young person’s decision will have the desirable results only when it is based on the deep knowledge of themselves and the reality of the world around them. 24 I believe that the best way for a young person to choose his/her studies and the profession that best suits him/her is to visit any Center of Professional Orientation that has special tests.

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SELF–EVALUATION The sentences with the asterisk (*) are evaluated positively if we give them grade 1 or 2. These sentences are 12 and, consequently, if we add our grades, we will totally have a sum between 12 and 24, which will mean that we have positive attitudes towards our children’s (and generally young people’s) personalities and their right to choose their own targets, to take decisions and to prepare themselves for these decisions, while we adopt a supportive attitude towards them and not an attitude of direct intervention in their life according to our own desires which we often are not aware of and have not analysed critically. Contrary, the sentences without an asterisk are evaluated positively, if the grade we have given to them is 5 or 4. These sentences are also 12, so if we add their grades and we have a total sum from 48 to 70, then we can say that we are quite aware of the contemporary issues concerning the healthy development of young people’s personality, their choices, their decisions for their future and their professional orientation. As we have already mentioned, the questionnaire is consisted of a list of subjects which are only indicative of our attitudes on essential issues concerning young people. Therefore, the conclusion that will come out of this total sum with our answers should not, in any case, be considered as the typical definition of a ‘good’ parent. We consider that the total number of the above sentences functions as a motive that can help us think more seriously on certain issues which are important for the future career of young people. We also believe that it is very useful, the subjects included in the above questionnaire, to be discussed between parents and students and to function as simple motives for a fruitful conversation and deep thought.

3

1.

(*) I don’t consider my child being an extension of myself. 56

26

8

question 1

3 8%

4 8%

5 2%

1 2 2 26%

1 56%

3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

8

2.

My own experience enables me to know better what is good for my child.

18

40

5

question 2

5 17%

1 18%

1

4 20%

2 3

3 5%

4

2 40% 1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

5 2=Agree 4=Disagree

20

3.

(*) I believe that young people have the critical ability needed for taking important decisions.

16

47

16

question 3

3 16%

4 16%

5 5% 2 47%

1 2 3

1 16%

4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

16

4.

I can make a lot of sacrifices for my children, on the condition that they get high grades at school.

7

10

7

question 4

1 7%

2 10%

3 7%

1

5 36%

2

4 40%

3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

40

5.

I believe that my child must succeed in the entrance examinations for university, because this way the family’s status will rise. 2

5

5

question 5

1 2%

2 5%

3 5%

1 2

5 54%

4 34%

3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

34

6.

(*) I don’t try to influence my child on the choice for the education and future career that I consider correct.

24

60

8

question 6

3 8%

4 8%

5 0%

1

2 60%

2

1 24%

3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

8

7.

I am not obliged to support my child financially for the educational or professional choices that I disagree with.

40

question 7

1 0% 2 0% 5 60%

3 0%

1 2

4 40%

3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

8.

If my child succeeds in the entrance examinations for the university, he/she will definitely have a successful career.

7

16

5

question 8

2 16%

3 5%

1 7%

1

5 16%

2 3

4 56%

4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

56

9.

I compare my child’s achievements to the achievements of the children of my relatives or acquaintances, so that my child will keep up with them and make more efforts.

0

10

4

question 9

1 0%

2 10%

3 4%

1 2 4 42%

5 44%

3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

42

10.

(*) I don’t think that the fact that my child has succeeded in entering university will guarantee the quality of his/her studies, or his/her future career.

32

34

12

question 10

3 12%

4 16%

5 6%

1 2 3 1 32% 2 34% 1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

4 5

16

11.

As a parent, I have the ability to know very well my child’s abilities and skills.

10

52

6

question 11

3 6%

4 24%

1

5 8% 2 52%

1 10% 1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2 3 4 5

2=Agree 4=Disagree

24

12.

(*) I will not think that my child is unsuccessful if he/she fails entering university, although this would be something I would desire for him/her.

50

40

6

question 12

3 6%

4 2%

5 2%

2 40% 1 2 1 50%

3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

2

13.

It is not necessary for Upper-High school students to have their personal life, because this will affect their time to study and be prepared for the university examinations in a negative way. 2

6

8

question 13

1 2%

2 6%

3 8%

1 2 4 42%

5 42%

3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

42

14.

(*) I encourage my child to have alternative choices in his/her targets, in case his/her first target regarding his/her studies in university is not going to be realized.

55

41

2

question 14 3 2% 4 0% 2 41%

5 2%

1 2 3 4

1 55% 1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

5 2=Agree 4=Disagree

0

15.

Although I can afford to pay for my child’s studies in another city in our own country or in another country, I will try to avoid it, because I believe that he/she is not capable of living alone, away from home. 5

6

11

question 15

1 5%

2 6%

3 11%

1

5 33%

2 3

4 45% 1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

4 5

45

16.

(*) I believe that time allocated for studies can be combined with pleasant free-time activities, as well.

66

30

0

question 16

5 4% 4 0% 1 66%

3 0%

1 2

2 30%

3 4 5 1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

0

17.

I feel very anxious for my child’s future and I am afraid that this anxiety has been transferred from me to my child.

10

14

4

question 17

1 10%

2 14%

3 4%

1

5 24%

2

4 48%

3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

48

18.

(*) I observe my child’s efforts for a successful future career with affection and interest without trying to disorientate him/her to directions that would satisfy my own desires for him/her. 40

44

10

question 18

3 10%

4 2%

5 4%

1

1 40% 2 44%

2 3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

2

19.

(*) Acknowledging how complicated the professional world is today, I do not encourage my child to follow directions that would lead to a narrow professional training.

11

61

11

question 19

5 0%

1 11%

4 17%

1 2

3 11%

2 61%

3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

17

20.

I believe that a good counselor should inform us on which professions our children should follow.

29

51

4

question 20

3 4%

4 10%

5 6%

1 29%

2 51%

1 2 3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

10

21.

(*) I believe that a good counselor of professional orientation should help young people not only with the exploration of various aspects of their inner world (interests, inclinations, skills, abilities), but also with their efforts to develop themselves in a flexible and active way. 45

43

10

question 21

3 10%

4 0% 5 2%

1 2

2 43%

3 1 45%

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

4 5

0

22.

(*) I help my child to develop the ability to search actively and analyse critically as much information as possible.

30

56

8

question 22

3 8%

4 4%

5 2%

1 30%

2 56%

1 2 3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

4

23.

(*) I believe that a young person’s decision will have the desirable results only when it is based on the deep knowledge of themselves and the reality of the world around them.

44

48

2

question 23

3 2%

4 4%

5 2%

1

2 48%

1 44%

2 3 4 5

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

4

24.

I believe that the best way for a young person to choose his/her studies and the profession that best suits him/her is to visit any Center of Professional Orientation that has special tests. 16

25

16

question 24

3 16%

2 25%

1 2 3

4 35%

1 16% 5 8%

1=Absolutely Agree 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree 5=Absolutely Disagree

2=Agree 4=Disagree

4 5

35

An Interactive Triangle Students - Parents - Teachers Learning by doing A Grundtvig project 2008 - 2009

Office of School Professional Orientation of 1st General Lyceum of Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece

Thessaloniki, November 2008