The purpose of the study was to identify factors that affect whether or not students persist in completion of the GED. Exploration of characteristics of participants that do/do not persist and obtain their GED not only assists the high school dropout, potential GED recipient, and GED program staff, but also society as a whole. More information was needed in order to effectively address issues that adversely affect students enrolled in GED programs at rural community colleges. Therefore, examination of the GED program’s student database contributed in finding factors that both help and impede student success. Factors identified were investigated in an effort to assist in the retention of future participants in the GED program. The subjects of this study consisted of 976 students enrolled in the GED program at a rural community college. The data utilized were archived data, so there was no direct contact with subjects. The data were provided by the GED staff via charts and spreadsheets of student files and records (i.e. demographic sheet information, entry tests-locator test or TABE test, pre-GED testing, exit tests-GED, etc.). A discriminant function analysis was utilized in this study. This was done by weighting the variables and combining them into discriminant functions that separate the groups maximally. The discriminating variables were considered as predictor variables and the group membership variables were considered as dummy criterion variables. Also, a quantitative, non-experimental design was employed to show the direction and magnitude of the relationships between independent variables. The essential features of the design were the abilities to find associations, relate variables, and make predictions. The variables of age, race, gender, employment, public assistance, rural, single parent, and entry/exit levels significantly discriminated into the following groups at a 59.5% rate of accuracy: (1) GED completion, (2) GED continuation, and (3) GED dropouts. Also, age, race, gender, entry level, and rural had a significant impact on persistence/GED completion. With respect to age, it was revealed that older participants were more apt to persist and complete the GED program. White and black participants completed at higher rates than Asian and Hispanic participants. While males completed at higher rates than females. Participants with higher entry levels (4, 5, and 6) completed the program at higher rates. The majority of rural participants completed the GED program.

This research study was conducted to determine if there was a relationship between community college Leadership (LEA) courses and student success. This study compared students who took LEA courses to students who did not take LEA courses. This study employed a quantitative causal-comparative research design with one independent variable (leadership courses) and two dependent variables (GPA and completion). The research design was a between-subjects design. The grouping variables were ACT scores, race, and gender, and the groups consisted of students who took two LEA courses in two semesters and students who took at least two semesters but did not take LEA courses. A chi-square test was performed to determine the relationship between LEA courses and student completion. Results of this test indicated a statistically significant difference with students who completed LEA courses performing better across all categories. An independent samples t-test was conducted to determine the relationship between LEA courses and students’ GPA. Results for this test revealed that students who completed LEA courses had significantly higher GPAs across all groupings. The results of this study had implications that participation in leadership courses improve students’ GPAs and increase completion rates

Community college students who transfer to a bachelor's degree granting institution to complete degrees in science often change majors before graduation. Limited research is available on institutional support programs that target this specific population and how programs such as summer research and academic enrichment might increase their motivation to study and persist in a science major. The present study examined the relationship between participants' perceptions of their experience in a summer research program and their motivation to persist in science-related majors and career paths. Participants were community college students with an interest in pursuing a science major and career at the host university. All participants completed a 10-week residential summer apprenticeship-style research program. Participants completed pre- and post-surveys before voluntarily participating in a semi-structured interview that utilized questions adapted from the MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation Inventory. The findings demonstrate the relationship between program features and participants' science-related self-efficacy, science identification, science-related goals, and effort. / Doctor of Philosophy / This study explored the relationship between community college students' experiences in a summer research program and their decisions about science-related academic and career goals. Participants were enrolled in a ten-week summer research and academic enrichment program at a research university. Each participant was assigned a faculty mentor for the duration of the program. The findings suggest that certain features of the program were related to participants' goals in science.

The Middle College program, developed by the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), allows high school dropouts (herein referred to as "out of school youth"), ages 18 to 24, to increase their income and employability by pursuing a General Educational Development certificate (GED®), community college certificate or degree, and a workforce credential within a college campus environment (VCCS, 2010). The investigation presented herein analyzes selected factors related to community college success of Virginia Middle College completers who earned the GED® via the Middle College program at eight Virginia community colleges from 2006-2013. Initial foundational information was provided by the Virginia Community College Student Information System (VCCSIS) dataset. Quantitative research methods including contingency table and logistic regression were used to analyze selected factors leading to Virginia Middle College program completion and subsequent community college success, including attainment of a community college career studies certificate, a community college applied sciences degree, a community college transfer degree to a four-year college or university, and a workplace credential such as the Virginia Career Readiness Certificate (CRC). Virginia Middle College completers who achieved community college success in 2006-2013 were then administered a survey instrument to investigate the completers' perceptions of the effectiveness of the community college support services offered within the respective community college. Results indicate that age played an important role in GED completion within the Middle College program and that the younger aged participants were more likely to complete GED on time (within one year of enrollment in Middle College). A greater number of Middle College completers earned a community college career studies certificate than any other credential earned and different community colleges have statistically significant different proportions of earned degrees and certificates. With Middle College participants closely connected with staff in the program, the results of this study also suggested that coaching and mentoring further promoted success and completion of postsecondary pathways. Another finding was that attendance on college campuses apparently motivated students to complete their GED and transition to and complete a postsecondary certificate or degree. / Ed. D. / The Virginia’s Middle College program allows high school dropouts, ages 18 to 24, to increase their income and employability by pursuing a General Educational Development certificate (GED®), community college certificate or degree, and a workforce credential within a college campus environment (VCCS, 2010). This study analyzes selected factors related to community college success of Virginia Middle College completers who earned the GED® via the Middle College program at eight Virginia community colleges from 2006-2013. Initial information was provided by the Virginia Community College Student Information System (VCCSIS) dataset. Virginia Middle College completers who achieved community college success in 2006-2013 were then administered a survey instrument to investigate the completers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the community college support services. Results indicate that age played an important role in GED completion within the Middle College program and that the younger aged participants were more likely to complete GED on time (within one year of enrollment in Middle College). A greater number of Middle College completers earned a community college career studies certificate than any other credential earned and different community colleges have statistically significant different proportions of earned degrees and certificates. With Middle College participants closely connected with staff in the program, the results of this study also suggested that coaching and mentoring further promoted success and completion of postsecondary pathways. Another finding was that attendance on college campuses apparently motivated students to complete their GED and transition to and complete a postsecondary certificate or degree.

Since the late 1990s, community colleges have changed strategies to enhance student success, moving from a traditional faculty-focused teaching model to a student-focused learning paradigm using O'Banion's 6 college learning principles to define and guide the learning college model. However, it is unclear how much the model is being used by community colleges or shared with stakeholders. The learning college model, supported by transformational language research on decision making and innovative thinking, provided a conceptual framework for this discourse analysis study. The purpose of this study was to discover the extent to which the language of the learning college model is present on publicly available community college webpages. The 17 website samples were drawn from colleges officially identified as elite learning colleges. Linguistic coding facilitated by applying the 27 discourse analysis questions developed by Gee to encompass O'Banion's 6 college learning principles provided evidence of student-focused learning as a goal at community colleges. Results indicated that learning college principles were presented by all 17 colleges in the study, represented on different pages of their websites. Determining transparent and accessible evidence of the learning college on community college websites provided colleges with a starting point to consider their procedures and the experiences of their students when determining which school is best for them to attend. Students at colleges with a clear learning college mission have the opportunity to collaborate in their learning experiences and to construct knowledge in ways that enhance student success and goal completion, so identifying the presence of such schools can change students' college outcomes.

First-year community college students are often from underrepresented groups who are unaccustomed to voicing their needs or to being recognized for having more and varied needs than other groups. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of the factors that may engender or prevent success through listening to what first-year community college students have to say. Research questions addressed what students identified as challenges and successes during their first year and how first person accounts can contribute to the information college personnel need to understand. Human development theories and models of student persistence informed this study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 18 to 24 year-old first-year community college students from a midatlantic state in the United States. Data were analyzed for themes related to challenges of time management, academic expectations, and balancing the demands of school, life, and work. Students who were interviewed remained attached to their families, worked full or part time, may have had less than optimal learning skills for college material, and did not ask for help regarding academic or financial matters. This study contributes to positive social change by adding qualitative findings to the understanding of the multiple and complicated challenges that traditionally-aged community college students face in persisting in postsecondary education. Using this information, college personnel can design programs to introduce incoming students to services that will promote success.

The purpose of this study is to explore experiences of professional growth for mid-career community college faculty. The research question that guided the study is: How do community college faculty members experience professional growth at mid- career? The research design included an interpretive social science methodology and phenomenological method. Nine mid-career community college faculty, identified as being engaged and active in their professional role, participated through in-depth interviews. Profiles of the participants in their own words were presented to reflect on their early career experiences, and themes were presented as they emerged from the data as participants talked about their experiences of professional growth. Themes emerged in the areas of: (1) experiences of professional growth; (2) how faculty made meaning of these experiences; and (3) how faculty experienced support for their growth. Faculty interviewed for this study were active in campus leadership and governance and in pursuing professional development opportunities. They demonstrated a high degree of engagement in student learning and improving instruction. They were thoughtful about their experiences, reflecting on diversity as one of the strengths of their institution and engaging in a self-reflective post-tenure process. They also experienced a high level of support from administrators and colleagues. By voicing the professional growth experiences of highly engaged faculty at an important career stage, this study offers implications for practice for faculty, administrators, and policy makers concerned with faculty, instructional, and organizational development. / Graduation date: 2013

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the public policy guiding the funding of community colleges in Texas. In essence, the history of community college funding from 1942 to 2006 has been documented. Specifically, the study focused on the funds community colleges have received from the State of Texas, analyzed the funding shares from state and local sources, assessed the changes in the state/local source relationship over time, and detailed the development of the Texas community college formula system. A two-phase research process was used for this policy analysis. First, an archival analysis located both primary and secondary documents related to Texas community college funding. After examining these records, a revenue database for Texas community colleges was created. Second, thirteen open-ended interviews of individuals with knowledge of community college funding were conducted. Based upon the analysis of state funds and other revenue sources, several conclusions were reached including: 1) During the pre-formula period (1942-1973), state funds were provided solely as an instructional supplement to public community colleges. This was known as the sufficient-to-supplement policy; 2) There has been an agreement between the State of Texas and the community colleges regarding community college funding as the formula system was implemented. The state would fund instruction and the college districts would pay for facilities; 3) The proportion of Texas community college operating revenues from the state has decreased relative to the other sources of revenue available to community colleges; 4) Full formula funding is a concept that is much discussed among Texas community college leaders. However, it has never been realized in the history of funding Texas public community colleges; 5) "Sufficient-to-supplement" is not an adequate or meaningful policy for funding community colleges in Texas. The policy recommendations that emerged from the study were: 1) The State of Texas should establish an explicit policy on how public community colleges will be financed, and 2) The State of Texas should adequately fund the new policy. / text

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