Education Commons^™

The Black College Student Experience At Four-Year Predominantly White Institutions And Community Colleges: Non-Academic Factors For Consideration In Creating Sense Of Belonging, Alison Handy

Educational Studies Dissertations

While Black students have gained increased access to college, the data reflect that there are fewer Black students completing or earning bachelor’s degrees. Existing research reflects findings on various factors, both academic and non-academic, that influence student retention and success in higher education. Historically, theories on student retention and success have emphasized the importance of a student’s academic ability and commitment to obtaining a degree. Scholars such as Vincent Tinto have developed theories on student departure and attrition that emphasize the impact of non-academic factors on academic and social integration and the student experience regarding student sense of belonging at …

"Can You Just Move The Curtain?": Stories Of Women From The Educational Underclass At The College Door, Janet Kaplan-Bucciarelli

Educational Studies Dissertations

Although millions of adults with a high school diploma or GED need and want to further their education by attaining a postsecondary credential, the majority do not succeed. It is widely known that marginalized adult learners arrive at college academically underprepared and that they face numerous barriers to participation once they enroll. But very few studies look at adults’ life experiences, assets, and perspectives on college before they enroll—when they are still “at the college door.”

This qualitative study explores the stories of ten women (ages 29-56) in pre-college transition classes in the Northeast US, and how their familial, school, …

Nontraditional Student Risk Factors And Gender As Predictors For Enrollment In College Distance Education, Tammy Crews Pao

Educational Studies Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine whether nontraditional student age, female gender, and the possession of nontraditional student risk factors predict enrollment in distance education college courses. This dissertation used data from the most recent National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:12), which consisted of approximately 95,000 undergraduate students who were enrolled in higher education in 2011-2012. The results of a logistic regression analysis indicated that both nontraditional student age and female gender were strong predictors of enrollment in distance education, whereas the number of nontraditional student risk indicators was a partial predictor. As leaders in higher education are …

An Exploration Of Success Factors From The Perspectives Of Developmental Mathematics Students, Stacy Atkinson

Educational Studies Dissertations

Students who enter college underprepared for college-level coursework face tremendous barriers, including referral to one or more levels of developmental education. However, the requirement to complete developmental mathematics often becomes a primary barrier for students ever being able to complete a degree. Students who enter underprepared for college-level coursework and also identify as first-generation face even larger barriers to realizing success. Given this reality, community colleges – where most developmental education programs are housed – are seeking ways to better support students needing remediation to increase their chances of success and completion. Using the recently implemented co-requisite model of instruction …

Making Voices Visible: Teacher Research In A Community College Early Childhood Teacher Education Program, Debra Murphy

Educational Studies Dissertations

Teacher research has been included in university and graduate teacher education programs for the past 2 decades. Recently, associate degree programs have also begun to engage their students in teacher research. What happens when community college early childhood students conduct teacher research as a course assignment? This study involved 8 former community college early childhood education students who had recently completed teacher research projects as part of their coursework in 1 of 3 different courses. Data sources included students’ written reports of teacher research, classroom field notes, photographs of student data, and interviews with each participant. The study was informed …