Hear our stories: an examination of the external factors and motivating forces that help underprepared students succeed

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Leslie Neal Brown (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Charles Gause

Abstract: Increasing the success rates of underprepared students remains a pressing concern in higher education - and rightly so. Bettinger and Long (2009) noted many students enter college unprepared to think critically and handle rigorous college-level work. Most of these students are members of historically underserved and underrepresented populations, which make the problem even more disturbing and difficult to tackle. At some institutions, nearly two thirds of African American and Hispanic students fail to graduate within six years (Carey, 2008). Other marginalized student groups such as Native Americans, first-generation college attendees, and those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds also disproportionately fail to complete college because of poor preparation, inadequate secondary schools, and limited financial resources (Cabrera, 2008; Guillory & Wolverton, 2008). This occurs despite ongoing efforts to eliminate the issue. One way colleges and universities have sought to improve retention and persistence of these students is through summer bridge programs. Although bridge programs vary from institution, many provide academic enrichment and intensive remediation for “high-risk” students the summer prior to their first year in college. Proponents of the programs believe they help raise student achievement and improve educational outcomes. However, what do summer bridge participants have to say? To what extent, if any, do they feel their participation in the program enhanced their educational abilities? This research project will utilize case study methodology to uncover the external factors bridge participants believed helped them to succeed in college.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2015
Keywords
HBCU, Persistence, Retention, Summer bridge, TRiO, Underpreparedness
Subjects
College preparation programs $z United States $v Case studies
Educational equalization $z United States $v Case studies
Academic achievement $x Social aspects $z United States $v Case studies
College attendance $z United States $v Case studies
College dropouts $z United States $x Prevention $v Case studies
People with social disabilities $x Education (Higher) $z United States $v Case studies
African American universities and colleges $z United States

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