A study of the work experience commitments and academic achievements of high school students

This research outlines a study of the relationship between the part-time work experience commitments and academic achievements of high school students in Alberta's Parkland School Division. Significant research conducted over the past two decades disagrees whether part-time work has adverse effects on student achievement. Economic conditions in Canada have tempted high school students to be employed in various labor roles based on a number of factors. Specifically, this study examines the relationship between the work experience hours and academic achievements of Parkland School Division's secondary school students. The author hypothesizes that when hours of work increase, student achievement decreases. An analysis of the 2009-2010 high school data of work experience hours submitted for high school credits toward attaining a diploma will be compared to student achievement in the School Division's high school, Spruce Grove Composite High. A quantitative investigation by means of a multi-variable regression analysis for each grade level, namely Grade 12, Grade 11, and Grade 10, exhibited no significant correlations among the dependent variables (English, Social Studies, and Mathematics marks) and the independent variable, Work Experience Hours. The results of the research analysis did not support the author's hypotheses that this relationship would be significantly negative and that it would increase in relation to the number of hours worked. The information acquired will be reported to assist Parkland School Division and other school jurisdictions to improve educational programming for secondary students. --Leaf ii.