Factors Affecting Christian Parents' School Choice Decision Processes: A Grounded Theory Study

This study identifies factors affecting the decision processes for school choice by Christian parents. Grounded theory design incorporated interview transcripts, field notes, and a reflective journal to analyze themes. Comparative analysis, including open, axial, and selective coding, was used to reduce the coded statements to five code families:(a) decision-making process, (b) influence on or by the child, (c) parents, (d) academics/extracurricular activities, and (e) religion. A core category of decision-making process was determined to be the theory of satisficing. Satisficing is characterized by the search for a school by parents only to the point where minimum objectives are met.