http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmYX-midBnc (0:00- 1:00 )

Video

Family background - the key to academic excellence?

輸在起跑線上？中學生的家庭背景與成績之關係

Group 40Lin Wai Kwan (NURS/3)Mok Kun Sing(PACC/3)Choy Tsz Lam (PHPC/3)Ng Kar Long (IBBA/3)

• Hypothesis• Reasons for choosing the topic• Situation in Hong Kong

Background

• Methodology• Research overview• Data analysis

Data collection

and analysis

• Inference of current situation• Conclusion and suggestionsInference

A student born to a family of poor backgrounds will have poorer academic results compared with those coming from families of more decent backgrounds.

Hypothesis

Reasons for choosing the topic

中文大學研究發現，三成半受訪貧困學生期望入讀大學，低於富有學生的八成一比率

貧困學生深明資助大學學位不足，自己未能負擔自資學位或副學位課程，故不敢奢望讀大學。

調查結果反映家庭經濟能力對學生的教育及職業期望影響嚴重，不少貧困學生為免加重家庭經濟負擔，寧投身社會

人窮志短 ?

窮學生志短？僅 35% 望入大學 (2013,APRIL 25). Orientaldaily.

A- around $ 50000/ year

B- around $ 60000/ year

C- around $70000/ year

D- around $80000/ year

Cost of a self-financed degree

The answer is C.

adolescents’ perceptions of academic and family climates are significantly associated with reports of depression and suicide ideation

327 female students aged 13-18 : 47% (154) reported some suicide ideation

Higher test anxiety, lower academic self-concept and perceiving that their parents were dissatisfied with their academic performance are related to higher levels of depression and suicide ideation

Low levels of family cohesion and support and high levels of parent-adolescent conflict were found to be related to higher levels of depression and suicide ideation

Perceptions of Academic and Family Climates Predicts Suicide Ideation and Depression

in Hong Kong Adolescents

Situation in Hong Kong

Below poverty line VS 10% highest1991: 1.2 time 2011: 3.7 times

Relationship between family income and ratio of students

getting into university

The Hong Kong Institute of Education. (2013). Research on fairness to receive tertiary education in Hong Kong [Press release].

Public estate VS Private housing 1991: 2.1 times 2011: 3.3 times

Relationship between living environment and ratio of students getting into

university

The Hong Kong Institute of Education. (2013). Research on fairness to receive tertiary education in Hong Kong [Press release].

Family background – family income, parents educational level, housing type

Academic results – classified by students’ DSE results

Definition

• Hypothesis• Reasons for choosing the topic• Situation in Hong Kong

Background

• Methodology• Research overview• Data analysis

Data collection

and analysis

• Inference of current situation• Conclusion and suggestionsInference

Research overview Target population Measurement Plans for pretesting and control

Methodology

Cross-sectional quantitative study Online anonymous self-administered

questionnaire 100 participants Snowball sampling Linear regression for checking significance of

the associations Independent variable: Family background Dependent variable: Academic performance

Research overview

Candidates sitting for 2013 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE)

Target population

Inclusive criterion Exclusive criterion

2013 HKDSE Candidates

Not 2013 HKDSE Candidates

Online anonymous self-administered questionnaire

1. HKDSE results (Standardized assessment) 2. Family background 3. Attendance and expenditure on any extra-

curriculum activities4. Demographic characteristics

Measurement

Opinions were seek from professionals in terms of content, wording and arrangements

Amendments were made accordingly

Plans for pretesting and control

Demographic characteristics

Data analysis

Demographic characteristics

Data analysis

Descriptive statistics

Data analysis

Descriptive statistics

Data analysis

Descriptive statistics

Data analysis

Relationship between household income and HKDSE results (4C + 1X)

Data analysis

POSITIVELY CORRELATED!

By simple linear regression, the correlation is valid and significant (Sig. < 0.05)

Data analysis

Associations between money spent on tuition and HKDSE results

Data analysis

Associations between money spent on tuition and DSE results

Data analysis

POSITIVELY CORRELATED!

By simple linear regression, the correlation is valid and significant (Sig. < 0.05)

Data analysis

↑ monthly household income ↑ chances of joining study tour/

exchange program

Data analysis

Living environment might have impact

Data analysis

No obvious relationships

Data analysis

No. of siblings shows no effect

Data analysis

Family background, in terms of household income and living environment, might be prerequisite for academic performance

More spent on tuition, the better is the academic performance

Living environment provides personal space for student to study

Other family background shows no significant effects

Summary

Sample size is not large enough when compared to no. of students sitting for HKDSE each year

Sampling method could be more systematic Some qualitative family background is

missing E.g. family harmony

Limitations

•Hypothesis•Reasons for choosing the topic•Situation in Hong Kong

Background

•Methodology•Research overview•Data analysis

Data collection and analysis

•Reasons and influences•Conclusion and suggestionsInference

wealthy families can provide more chances

cut-throat competition for university entrances

children from wealthy families can thus get a head start with their wider exposure

Reasons

1. Abundant chance of joining tutorial classes or related activities

a good family background can provide a healthy shelter

frequent family conflicts in poor families can cause mental trauma

less pressure

sufficient parental care http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSfAuiOn3vU

Reasons

2. A good study environment

children have to live up to parents’ expectations

greater incentive to achieve excellence in exams

Reasons

3. Higher cost

Famous secondary schools have parent-subsidiary relationship with primary schools

Primary school graduates normally can promote to parent schools

Reasons

4. Schools admission system favors wealthy students

Children of alumni can get a much higher marks in admission

Alumni of famous school - middle-class, professional

Inherit the higher quality education

Reasons

4. Schools admission system favors wealthy students (Con’t)

香港教育局 《申請二○一四年九月小一入學》單張

Good secondary schools put a heavy weighting on extra- curricular activities in admission

Poor families can not afford

Less chances to enter band one schools

Reasons

4. Schools admission system favors wealthy students (con’t)

Resources differences academic results differences

Comparison among peers depression and high pressure

No sense of achievement less confident

Academic results bad less promising future

Parents do not pave ways for them

Influences1. Students will have lower self-esteem

Education Higher social status ?

Starting point falls behind students with more resources

Personal achievement limited by your family background

Social inequality?

Influences

2. Decrease in social mobility

Industrialized city in 60s, 70s -> International financial center in 21 century

No education , qualification -> no promotion opportunities

Knowledge-based economy

Education is a prerequisite

Influences

2. Decrease in social mobility (con’t)

Jobs polarization income inequality

Cross generation poverty

social discontentment in long-term

Influences

2. Decrease in social mobility (con’t)

香港專業及資深行政人員協會 「困境與機遇：『第四代香港人』社會流動性研究計劃」 (2010)

Great consideration in having babies

Do not want their children left behind the starting point

Families have less incentive to have babies

Decrease the productivity of Hong Kong in long-run

Reflection

Low birth rate Low productivity

Increase the quota for bachelor ?

- Hong Kong - knowledge-based society

- Quality education important to their success

- New generation crucial to the future of Hong Kong

- Hong Kong’s core value - equality

- Inhumane to deprive children of a good future because of their family backgrounds

- a workforce of higher education level is conducive to our city’s growth

Conclusion

Advocate volunteers in university provide free tutorial class

Extra subsidies for children’s participation in extra-curricular activities

Counseling services to eliminate family conflicts

Sufficient amount and chance of scholarships

Special subsidies for schools with more students in grass root

Study rooms and computer rooms open after class

Cancel the bonus marks for alumni’s children

Suggestions

Questionnaire

Questionnaire

Questionnaire

The Hong Kong Institute of Education. (2013). Research on fairness to receive tertiary education in Hong Kong [Press release].

Retrieved from http://www.ied.edu.hk/upload_main/manage/Press%20rele

ase%202013/130131%20Educational_Inequality.pdf香港教育局 《申請二○一四年九月小一入學》單張香港專業及資深行政人員協會 「困境與機遇：『第四代香港人』 社會流動性研究計劃」 (2010)窮學生志短僅 35% 望入大學 [Only 35% poor students expected to study in University]. (2013,APRIL 25). Oriental daily.

Reference

Thank you!

Q&A Session