Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this multiple-case study was to describe and compare the reported Islamic practices, college transition experiences, goals, and challenges of female Islamic high school graduates and the expectations that Islamic high school parents held in each of these four areas. Methodology. The subjects for this study were fourteen female Islamic high school graduates and fourteen Islamic high school parents from one cluster Islamic high school. Subjects responded to two interview instruments constructed to answer the nine research questions. Findings. Examination of qualitative and quantitative data from the graduate and parent groups indicated that graduates' reported adherence to Islamic practices exceeded parent expectations in some areas. The graduates also experienced smoother transitions to college than expected by most of the parents, who feared a general culture shock. Graduates aimed for higher educational goals than expected by parents, as all graduates aimed to obtain a bachelor's degree, and the majority of the graduates wished to pursue postgraduate education. Both graduates and parents expressed that stereotype and prejudice would be the main career and social challenges faced by the graduates. Conclusions. The study data support the conclusion that Graduates of this particular (cluster) Islamic high school met and exceeded the parents' expectations in regard to Islamic practices, college transition experiences, and goals in most areas. Both subject groups expected the same challenges. Recommendations. Further research is recommended, repeating the study in a number of years to see if graduate reported practices or parent expectations change. It is also recommended that a study be conducted after the graduates finish college to see if their expected goals and challenges were realistic. Also, it is recommended that the study be replicated with a greater number of subjects in a greater number of situations, for example, a comparison between graduates of Islamic high schools and Muslim graduates of public high schools to further enrich the current understanding of Islamic schools.