Page 25 - 2024_Journal_90-3

analysis. Data analysis employed methods such as frequency counts to allow for the
completion of frequency tables and statistical tests. Both independent t-tests and chi-
square independent tests were utilized in different capacities. A t-test was utilized
to determine if there was a rise or consistency among school-based mental health
referrals within the 5 consecutive school years and to compare two variables such
as overall male or female referrals. Further investigation required the chi-square test
to identify if a relationship existed among variables that indicated the reason for
referral in the study. Dr. Robin H. Lock, a
member of Kappa
Iota Chapter in Texas
Results State Organization,
Research Question (RQ) 1: What is the overall pattern of all School-Based has been a member
Mental Health referrals over the 5 school years (2015–2016 to 2019–2020) of Delta Kappa
within the studied school district? Gamma for 32 years
RQ 1 sought to identify overall patterns within the total number of school-based and has served in
mental health referrals as compared to the total population of the studied school various roles. She is
district. After eliminating duplicate referrals from the 837 historical, quantitative Professor of Special
Education at Texas
data, 831 remained for statistical analysis. Analysis of the remaining school-based Tech University
mental health referrals utilized a frequency count resulting in a percentage of after a year as
students referred as compared to the total school population reported through the Interim Dean. Lock
district’s Department of Education Statewide Information Systems. Table 1 depicts teaches graduate
the frequency count of the remaining school-based mental health referrals made to courses, working
the school district by year during the 5-year period. extensively with
doctoral candidates
completing their
Table 1 dissertation studies.
Total Number of Referrals by School Year robin.lock@ttu.edu
School Year Number of Number of % Referred
Referrals Students Enrolled
2015–2016 142 5240 2.7
2016–2017 155 5227 3
2017–2018 165 5255 3.1
2018–2019 177 5186 3.3
2019–2020 192 5217 3.7

The original hypothesis for RQ 1 stated that there would be a negative or null
pattern of growth in mental health needs as demonstrated with the school-based
mental health referrals over the 5 school years. The results from a frequency count
and subsequent analysis confirmed a rise from year to year; thus, the null hypothesis
was not accepted. There was a positive trend line demonstrating that each year
the number of mental health referrals went up in comparison to the overall school
population. The alternative hypothesis was accepted due to the positive growth
pattern.

Research Question 2: What patterns may be occurring among demographic
information found within the school-based mental health referrals completed
over the 5 (2015 to 2020) consecutive school years?
RQ 2 analyzed the demographic information within the 5 consecutive school
years of school-based mental health referrals. The original referral information
included the student’s name, birthdate, grade, gender, special education status,

Promoting Professional and Personal Growth of Educators and Excellence in Education 23