Agentic Roles as Resources for Identity Development in Alternative High Schools

• In Event: Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Social and Cultural Processes in Motivation Research

Abstract

Alternative schools fall into an interesting space in education by being able to provide innovative and supportive opportunities that are different from mainstream schooling, yet also acting as part of a mechanism for sorting youth on the margins of education. The role of alternative schools then becomes to not only support youths’ academic success, but also their academic identities. The paper describes an ethnographic study on youth entering into alternative high schools. Analysis focuses on roles as resources for identity development. Results focus on the authenticity and value of the roles that youth are afforded in the alternative schools and how those roles impacted youth identity.

Author

• Gavin Tierney, California State University - Fullerton