Composing Lives in Transition: A Narrative Inquiry into the Experiences of Early School Leavers

List of Contributors

Acknowledgement

Foreword

Chapter 1. Introduction / D. Jean Clandinin / Pam Steeves / Vera Caine

Situating Our Work

Composing Diverse Identities

Narrative Beginnings

Jean's Narrative Beginnings

I. Early landscapes

II. High school graduation

III. Becoming a teacher

IV. Becoming a narrative inquirer

Pam's Narrative Beginnings

Vera's Narrative Beginnings

Revisiting Our Research Puzzle

Chapter 2. Literature Review / Vera Caine

Methodology for the Literature Review

Coming to Terms: Shifts over Time

Statistical Overview

Canada

Provincial dropout rate

Framing Early School Leavers

Individual Deficit Model (Risk Factors)

Trends with dropouts

Risk factors - clusters

Critique of risk factors

Process theories of disengagement

School Context

Rhythms in and out of school - continuous moving

Voices in and outside of school

Unquestioned assumptions

Mismatch between education and schooling

Positions of power

Relational being

Being different in schools/continuous rubbing up

Social-Cultural Contexts

Policies

Consumer culture

Social issues

Community

Identity formation

Youth in Flux

Issues and Directions for Future Research

Primary Focus on Individual (Risk/Deficit Perspective)

School Leaving as a Point in Time Rather than a Process

No Coherent Framework for Early School Leaving Exists

Missing Perspectives

No Consideration of Early School Leavers in Context and over Time

Methodological Considerations

Chapter 3. Methodology / D. Jean Clandinin / Vera Caine / Pam Steeves

The Three-Dimensional Narrative Inquiry Space

Finding Our Participants

Challenges in Recruiting Participants

The Research Team

Narrative Inquiry with Participants

Ethics

From Field Texts to Interim Research Texts

One Version of a Final Research Text

Three Years Later: Another Research Text

Chapter 4. A Narrative Account of Robert / Marilyn Huber

Chapter 5. A Narrative Account of Scott / Marni Pearce

Chapter 6. A Narrative Account of Jasmine / Yi Li

Chapter 7. A Narrative Account of Andrew / D. Jean Clandinin

Chapter 8. A Narrative Account of Billie Bob / Claire Desrochers

Chapter 9. A Narrative Account of Kevlar / Pam Steeves

Chapter 10. A Narrative Account of Ben / Vera Caine

Chapter 11. A Narrative Account of Truong / D. Jean Clandinin

Chapter 12. A Narrative Account of Lynn / Joy-Ruth Mickelson

Chapter 13. A Narrative Account of Christian / Vera Caine

Chapter 14. A Narrative Account of Skye / Sean Lessard

Chapter 15. Exploring Transitions within Lives / D. Jean Clandinin / Vera Caine / Pam Steeves

Thread 1. Composing Transitions with Attention to What is "Normal"

Thread 2. Composing Transitions while Situated in Webs of Relationships

Thread 3. Conflicting Responsibilities in Composing Transitions

Thread 4. Composing Forward-Looking Stories Amidst Transitions

Thread 5. Intertwining Transitions and Identities

Narrative Understandings of Transitions

Qualities of a Narrative Understanding of Transitions

Quality 1. Shifting over time and place

Quality 2. Composing lives as a process of change

Quality 3. Transitions as liminal spaces

Quality 4. Improvisation as part of transition

Feature 5. Imagination and relationship as part of transitions

Summary

Chapter 16. Stories to Live By: Composing Identities / Pam Steeves / D. Jean Clandinin / Vera Caine

Lives Shaped by Landscapes Threaded by Multiple Narratives

Lives Shaped by Landscapes Threaded with Familial Narratives

Lives Shaped by Landscapes Threaded by Cultural Narratives

Lives Shaped by Landscapes Threaded by Institutional Narratives

Lives Shaped by Landscapes Threaded by Linguistic Narratives

Lives Shaped by Landscapes Threaded by Geographic Narratives

Experiencing Landscapes as Filled with Competing and Conflicting Plotlines

Resisting the Shaping of Storied Landscapes

Representing Their Stories to Live By

Shifting Their Stories to Live By

Conclusion

Chapter 17. A Reflective Turn: Looking Backward, Looking Forward / Vera Caine / Sean Lessord / Pam Steeves / D. Jean Clandinin

Shifting Personal Justifications

Shifting Practical Justifications

Red Worn Runners

Fox Den Berries

Pow-Wow School

Thinking about Layers …

Going Back to Place

Shifting Social Justifications

Evolving Wonders

Contemplating Old Wonders

References

About the Authors

About the Editors

Index