The purpose of this quantitative research study was to explore dual enrollment as a college readiness strategy and the effects of dual enrollment programs on persistence and achievement within a post-secondary institution. This study examined documented institutional data of former dual enrollment students and their direct entry peers who were 1st-time college students at a community college in South Mississippi. Community colleges in Mississippi have maintained dual enrollment programs for over a decade, but few empirical-based research studies have been conducted to determine whether or not student achievement and persistence rates differed for students with prior dual enrollment experience. Therefore, more empirically-based research is needed to determine whether research findings are generalizable. Further research will contribute to the body of literature regarding the impact and effectiveness of dual enrollment and how it relates to college persistence. The sample included all students who graduated from local service area high schools in the spring of 2012 and matriculated to the community college in the fall of 2012. The study analyzed measures of achievement and indicators of persistence for all students over 2 academic years. The study used an independent sample t-test to compare whether prior dual enrollment students had different rates of persistence and achievement than direct entry students. A factorial analysis of variance was used to test for significance among independent variables of enrollment type with the dependent variables of persistence and achievement among categorical variables of race to determine if there was a difference in proportion of students in dual enrollment versus direct entry. Persistence is defined as the continuous full-time enrollment from the first year to the second year. Achievement was measured using ACT scores and grade point average (GPA). Findings revealed that no significant difference existed in measures of persistence between students with prior dual credit and direct entry students. Significant differences existed in measures of achievement by students with prior dual credit and by direct entry students in two areas: Act scores and cumulative GPA. Other findings indicated differences did not exist for persistence by enrollment type and race or for achievement by enrollment type and race.

“College Readiness” has been a phrase discussed across higher education and the workforce in most recent years. However, the perception of College Readiness has been debated throughout history as there is not a universal agreement on the philosophy of what it means to be College Ready. In Mississippi, the state has not even defined this phrase so there is not a way to measure the success of College Readiness. Because of this lack of universal philosophy, the purpose of this study is to understand the philosophy of college readiness programs in the state of Mississippi. The research question guiding this study will include: How do different stakeholders assigned to align college readiness programs between P-12 and postsecondary systems understand the philosophy of college readiness? Moreover, what influences the beliefs that shape philosophies about college readiness held by these stakeholders? Leaning on research from Thelin (2004), Conley (2007), and the Ecological Model of College Readiness as designed by Arnold et al. (2012), the literature review synthesizes research on the history of college readiness in American Higher Education, the definitions of College Readiness, and the most widely accepted conceptual framework to explain the factors that influence College Readiness among students. The design of this study included a qualitative comparative analysis and used focus groups to collect data from the perspectives of 16 directors or coordinators who are responsible for organizing or implementing college readiness programs across the state of Mississippi. As a result, the theme from the participant responses supported the consensus that college readiness is a complex and undefined phrase. However, each participant agreed that to be college ready, students need to have more than academic readiness. Instead, students must also have individual characteristics that yearn for a plan after high school. Another conclusion made was that college readiness is influenced by the students’ surroundings including people and politics. While the most current conceptual framework helps identify factors that influence college readiness, it does not precisely identify the relationships among the different layers or help explain when a student becomes college ready. Therefore, additional research should be conducted to determine the stages by which students pass through to become college ready.

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This study seeks to explore aspects of the educational practice of the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) programme. The philosophy (the Christian underpinnings) and pedagogy (mastery learning) of the ACE programme as contemporary educational practice is examined against a background of educational reform movements such as outcomes-based education. In addition, the thesis examines the issue of what it takes for a student to succeed in tertiary education, investigates the stated claims of the ACE programme in this regard, and then scrutinises these claims, in an empirical study, that includes ACE graduates, their parents and university admissions officers. Finally recommendations are made to those who use the programme in schools regarding any perceived strengths and/or weaknesses in the programme itself, or in the management and implementation of the programme, with a view to enhancing the educational experience of high school students preparing to enter the realm of tertiary education. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed.(Educational Management)

This study seeks to explore aspects of the educational practice of the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) programme. The philosophy (the Christian underpinnings) and pedagogy (mastery learning) of the ACE programme as contemporary educational practice is examined against a background of educational reform movements such as outcomes-based education. In addition, the thesis examines the issue of what it takes for a student to succeed in tertiary education, investigates the stated claims of the ACE programme in this regard, and then scrutinises these claims, in an empirical study, that includes ACE graduates, their parents and university admissions officers. Finally recommendations are made to those who use the programme in schools regarding any perceived strengths and/or weaknesses in the programme itself, or in the management and implementation of the programme, with a view to enhancing the educational experience of high school students preparing to enter the realm of tertiary education. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed.(Educational Management)