Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

8-2007

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Terrence A. Tollefson

Committee Members

James H. Lampley, Jasmine R. Renner, Theresa McGarry

Abstract

Institutions of public higher education must meet the challenges presented by providing education services to the significantly increasing number of undocumented students. However, public policy has not clearly addressed undocumented immigrants' residency status in regard to college and university admissions standards. This issue will affect education leaders in public institutions of higher education who have the authority to define admissions criteria and influence state legislation.

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of higher education leaders' attitudes toward the appropriateness of providing education benefits for undocumented immigrants. Data collected from 384 returned surveys representing 18 states were analyzed to examine leaders' attitudes in relation to demographic characteristics.

The statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in attitudinal means based on gender, professional level position, age group, years of professional experience, and states that do and do not charge in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants. However, there were significant differences in attitudinal means based on ethnicity, political affiliation, institution type, and between states that grant in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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