The purpose of this study was to identify critical childcare resources that student parents utilize that allow them to access higher education at varying levels, but also to make assumptions about parents unable to enroll due to barriers and/or lack of resources. This study sought to answer the following questions: 1) To what extent does subsidized childcare facilitate student parents' access to higher education? Is subsidized childcare a more important resource for some groups of students than for others?, and 2) Are student parents making childcare-enrollment trade-offs in order to pursue higher education? Are certain groups of students more vulnerable to making trade-offs?

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of "An Achievable Dream" (AAD), a program developed for at risk elementary students in Newport News, Virginia, in improving academic achievenlent, self concept, and school attendance. One hundred rising fourth grade students were identified in 1992 to participate in the pilot year of this program. Eighty-four students completed the entire year and were included in this study. A review of effective programs currently operating throughout the country examined other programs with similar goals. A case study detailed the history of the program, the adaptations made since the program's inception, and a summary of baseline data on the students. A program evaluation validated the structure of AAD, assessed the impact of AAD as it related to achieving the stated goals, and served as the foundation for a decision model for program continuation. Data was obtained through individual interviews, a review of written program materials, attendance records, and from individual student scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) reading comprehension subtest, the Degrees of Reading Power (DRP), and the Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale (PHCSCS). All AAD program components were validated except student selection procedures. Many students were selected for inclusion into the program who did not fit the criteria for selection. Results of the evaluation showed little change in school attendance patterns and a decline in reading achievement percentile scores on both the ITBS and the DRP. Scores on the PHCSCS indicated that the majority of the students had an average to above average self concept. The decision model for program continuation included recommendations for consideration in program continuation. / Ed. D.

Thesis (MPhil (Curriculum Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond tot die studie: As gevolg van die druk wat op die sukses van eerstejaarstudente by hoëronderwysinstellings geplaas word, word ‘n hulpgroep in ‘n eerstejaarsmodule, Finansiële Rekeningkunde, in die B.Rekeningkunde graadprogram by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch aangebied. Die hulpgroep is daarop gemik om studente, in besonder die voorheen-benadeelde eerstejaarstudente, te help om sukses te behaal in Finansiële Rekeningkunde. Die hulpgroep het verskeie kenmerke. Daar is byvoorbeeld 6 lesings per week in plaas van die normale 4 lesings en bywoning van die lesings is verpligtend. Die hulpgroep grootte word beperk tot ‘n maksimum van 70 studente om aktiewe leer aan te moedig. Op Vrydae is daar ‘n tutoriaalklas waar studente ‘n vraag uitwerk in die klas met die hulp van studente-assistente. ‘n Verskeidenheid bystandsprogramme en hulp word jaarliks aangebied om die deurvloeikoerse van eerstejaarstudente te verhoog en ook om vir studente ‘n positiewe eerstejaarservaring te verseker. Die probleem is dat al hierdie bystand en hulp baie tyd en spesiale insette van dosente en die departement verg, sodat die vraag ontstaan of dit werklik waarde toevoeg. ‘n Verdere kwessie behels die studente se belewenis van so ‘n hulpgroep. Dit was dus noodsaaklik om hierdie en soortgelyke vrae te ondersoek en vas te stel of ‘n hulpgroep beantwoord aan die doel waarvoor dit geskep is. Opsomming van die werk: Daar is gebruik gemaak van ‘n gevallestudie-ontwerp. Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel wat studente se belewenisse van ‘n hulpgroep by die eerstejaarsmodule in Finansiële Rekeningkunde is. ‘n Kombinasie van die kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsingsbenadering is in die ondersoek gebruik deur middel van vraelyste, onderhoude en die analise van prestasiepunte. Gevolgtrekking: Die algehele gevolgtrekking wat uit die ondersoek voortgevloei het, is dat die hulpgroep positief deur die studente beleef word. Verskeie implikasies en voorstelle om die hulpgroep van Finansiële Rekeningkunde aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch meer doeltreffend te maak, het uit die studie voortgevloei. Voorstelle vir verdere navorsing is ook gemaak. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background to the study: Due to the pressures that are being placed on the success of first year students at higher education institutions, a support group was established in a first year module, Financial Accounting, in the B.Accounting degree programme at the University of Stellenbosch. The support group is aimed at helping students, in particular previously disadvantaged first-year students, to achieve success in Financial Accounting. The support group has various features. There are, for example, 6 lectures per week instead of the normal 4 lectures and attendance of the lectures is compulsory. The size of the support group is limited to a maximum of 70 students in order to promote active learning. On Fridays there are tutorial classes where students work on a question in class with the help of student assistants. A variety of support programmes and help are offered annually to increase the pass rates of first year students and also to ensure a positive first year experience. The problem is that all this support and help is very time consuming and requires special inputs from lecturers and the department. This raises the question if it actually adds value. Another issue that was considered is how students experience being part of such a support group. It was thus necessary to investigate this as well as related questions to establish whether a support group meets the purpose for which it was created. Summary of the work: A case study design was used. The purpose of the study was to establish the experiences of the students of a support group at the first year module in Financial Accounting. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data was used in the study, generated by means of questionnaires, interviews and the analysis of performance marks. Conclusion: The overall conclusion that resulted from this study is that the support group is experienced positively by the students. Various implications and suggestions on how to improve the efficiency of the support group in Financial Accounting at the University of Stellenbosch were a direct result of this study. Suggestions for further research were also made.

Submitted in accordance with the requiremerts for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (D. Phil) in the subject Psychology in the FACULTV OF ARTS at the UNIVERSllY OF ZULULAND, 2006. / The study investigates counselling interventions used by staff at the Centre for Guidance and Counselling (CGC) from 1977 to 2006. Both location and situation of the University of Zululand (Unizul) in the rural north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, where poverty and political intolerance once reigned, presents unique challenges to students and staff, particularly the Student Representative Council (SRC) and Management. A number of significant discoveries were made as revealed by research techniques used i.e. narratives, selected qualitative and quantitative research methods and case studies. After the 1976 national riots and communication breakdown between students and management, the University established a department to serve as a communication conduit between the two structures (Bengu, 2005). It is with that background that the Student Services Department (SSD) was conceived at Unizul. In spite of interruptions and difficulties from one period to another, there is evidence of hard work from previous headships. Unforeseen circumstances in each case prevented formal hand over. It is only recently, in 2003 that Unizul began to make provisions for change management strategy. For the purposes of this study a survey on student experiences on campus life was conducted. From randomly selected members of the university community it is concluded that, all is not well with student life at Unizul. Further, attitudes of students and staff in Student Services Department (SSD) were explored as they impact on service delivery (Ludeman, 1998; 1997; Worthen, 1987). The genera! view is that problems of de-motivation and academic indifference, political intolerance and domination, mob spirit and group-think are excessive between and amongst students. Student politics rules student affairs. Executive appointments in sports, societies and clubs are dominated by political placements of individuals that serve interests of political groupings. Over the years, the operations of the SRC, Student Parliament and Senate, All Sports and Student Housing Committees have taken political stands. By accommodating and sometimes nursing political squabbles of students, management and staff are perceived to be aligned to one of two main political rivals in the country. SSD is faced with an ongoing responsibility of diffusing tensions to establish a healthy working relationship amongst students, and also between student governing structures and management. The University is faced with challenges of normalizing conditions to enable effective teaching and learning to take place. A systematic, multi-pronged approach to deal with problems of political intolerance and domination, poverty and academic indifference is recommended. As problems will not vanish on their own, a need for an effective, well-thought management strategy and psychological intervention are strongly recommended.

The purpose of this study is to tell the story of how four peer helpers within the Unisa Peer Help Volunteer Programme managed their portfolio development processes to monitor their growth and development which took place as a result of their involvement in peer helper activities. The epistemological framework of this study is interpretive and involved in-depth interviews with four peer helpers who rendered volunteer services at the University of South Africa and have been developing their career portfolios over a period of time. Hermeneutics was the method used to analyse the data. The stories of the four participants were transcribed and retold by the researcher in the form of themes that emerged. This study contained the stories of how the participants initially struggled to understand the concept and purpose of portfolios; how they took charge of the process; and how their attitudes changed from uncertainty and confusion to viewing the process as worthwhile - thus enabling them to commit themselves, to varying degrees, to the development of their individual portfolios. Recurring themes present in all four stories were described in the researcher's story of the participants' stories. The information generated by this study could serve as guidelines for not only peer helpers interested in developing their own portfolios, but also for project leaders involved in the management of peer helper groups and who plan to implement portfolios in their programmes. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Quality and effective student support service (SSS) is a critical demand in the ever-changing landscape of distance education. It is common knowledge that distance education students need continuous support during their studies in order to cope with academic demands while attending to other key activities. This study set out to evaluate the implementation of SSS at the Namibia University of Science and Technology Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning (NUST COLL) at different regional centres across Namibia. The objectives of the study were to: identify problems and challenges experienced with the current implementation of SSS, determine the needs of the distance students and propose recommendations for the improvement of SSS at the regional centres. In an attempt to realise the objectives of the study, the study incorporated both quantitative and qualitative research design to collect data, by making use of questionnaires, open-ended questions and interviews. The participants included 8 regional coordinators (RC) who were purposively selected and 109 distance students who were selected through stratified and convenience sampling techniques from seven COLL regional centres. It was evident from the findings that most students opted for distance education as it allows them to work and study. Furthermore, many students have been studying for many years without getting any qualification. While NUST was providing different SSS, the findings brought to light some challenges such as the shortage of technological tools, understaffed regional centres, and unavailability of support services on weekends and public holidays and lack of collaboration between marker-tutors, lecturers and regional face-to-face tutors. It is proposed that the current model of SSS should be redesigned to respond to challenges facing distance education students at the regional centres. A model for implementation of SSS was developed to pave the way for effective implementation geared towards reducing the dropout rates and increase success rates. Key terms: Implementation of student support services, technological tools, model for implementation, regional coordinators, academic demands, increase success rates, regional centres, distance education, regional centres, and dropout rates. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The purpose of this study is to tell the story of how four peer helpers within the Unisa Peer Help Volunteer Programme managed their portfolio development processes to monitor their growth and development which took place as a result of their involvement in peer helper activities. The epistemological framework of this study is interpretive and involved in-depth interviews with four peer helpers who rendered volunteer services at the University of South Africa and have been developing their career portfolios over a period of time. Hermeneutics was the method used to analyse the data. The stories of the four participants were transcribed and retold by the researcher in the form of themes that emerged. This study contained the stories of how the participants initially struggled to understand the concept and purpose of portfolios; how they took charge of the process; and how their attitudes changed from uncertainty and confusion to viewing the process as worthwhile - thus enabling them to commit themselves, to varying degrees, to the development of their individual portfolios. Recurring themes present in all four stories were described in the researcher's story of the participants' stories. The information generated by this study could serve as guidelines for not only peer helpers interested in developing their own portfolios, but also for project leaders involved in the management of peer helper groups and who plan to implement portfolios in their programmes. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

A Constituição Federal prevê a igualdade de condições para o acesso e permanência na escola. A história da educação superior brasileira é marcada pela desigualdade social. A cultura de avaliação de programas vem se institucionalizando no Brasil. A presente pesquisa apresenta uma avaliação da eficácia do Programa de Auxílio Estudantil da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná – Câmpus Curitiba, por meio de estudos comparativos do coeficiente acadêmico e da permanência entre os estudantes beneficiados pelo Programa e os não-beneficiados. Expõe um breve histórico do Ensino Superior e da Assistência Estudantil no Brasil. A questão social apresentada é a permanência dos estudantes em situação de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica no ensino superior. E para o seu enfrentamento, normas foram editadas e ações desenvolvidas, inclusive o Programa de Auxílio Estudantil da UTFPR. Discute conceitos da avaliação de Programas Sociais e da Governança Pública. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, no qual foram coletados dados do sistema acadêmico da instituição e do Programa de Auxílio, complementados por um questionário aplicado aos ex-alunos bolsistas graduados e desistentes. Construiu-se um sistema de indicadores, concluindo-se pela eficácia do Programa de Auxílio Estudantil. Traz como resultado, a superioridade dos coeficientes acadêmicos dos estudantes bolsistas em relação aos não bolsistas, bem como uma taxa de evasão inferior dos bolsistas em relação aos demais estudantes do Câmpus. / The Federal Constitution predicates equal conditions to the access and permanency in the school. The Higher Education History in Brazil is spotted for social inequality. The programs evaluation growth has becoming systematized in Brazil. This study presents an evaluation of the efficiency of the Student Scholarship Program of the Federal Technological University of Paraná—Curitiba, through comparative studies between Scholarship Program students and the rest of the student body focusing on grades and student retention. The study offers a brief overview of Brazilian Higher Education and Student Scholarship Programs. The social issue examined is the retention of students in positions of socioeconomic vulnerability in higher education. In order to confront these issues, standards were edited and actions were developed, including the Student Scholarship Program of UTFPR (Federal Technological University of Paraná). The study discusses evaluation procedures of Social Programs and Public Governance. This is a case study in which the university’s academic and the Scholarship Program databases are used as a corpus, and in which a questionnaire for former students, both graduated and withdrawn from the program, serves as compliment. A system of indicators was constructed, and its conclusion is presented through the efficiency of the Student Scholarship Program. The case study results demonstrate higher academic grades from scholarship students in relation to non-scholarship students, as well as higher retention rates for scholarship students in relation to the rest of the student body on campus

A Constituição Federal prevê a igualdade de condições para o acesso e permanência na escola. A história da educação superior brasileira é marcada pela desigualdade social. A cultura de avaliação de programas vem se institucionalizando no Brasil. A presente pesquisa apresenta uma avaliação da eficácia do Programa de Auxílio Estudantil da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná – Câmpus Curitiba, por meio de estudos comparativos do coeficiente acadêmico e da permanência entre os estudantes beneficiados pelo Programa e os não-beneficiados. Expõe um breve histórico do Ensino Superior e da Assistência Estudantil no Brasil. A questão social apresentada é a permanência dos estudantes em situação de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica no ensino superior. E para o seu enfrentamento, normas foram editadas e ações desenvolvidas, inclusive o Programa de Auxílio Estudantil da UTFPR. Discute conceitos da avaliação de Programas Sociais e da Governança Pública. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, no qual foram coletados dados do sistema acadêmico da instituição e do Programa de Auxílio, complementados por um questionário aplicado aos ex-alunos bolsistas graduados e desistentes. Construiu-se um sistema de indicadores, concluindo-se pela eficácia do Programa de Auxílio Estudantil. Traz como resultado, a superioridade dos coeficientes acadêmicos dos estudantes bolsistas em relação aos não bolsistas, bem como uma taxa de evasão inferior dos bolsistas em relação aos demais estudantes do Câmpus. / The Federal Constitution predicates equal conditions to the access and permanency in the school. The Higher Education History in Brazil is spotted for social inequality. The programs evaluation growth has becoming systematized in Brazil. This study presents an evaluation of the efficiency of the Student Scholarship Program of the Federal Technological University of Paraná—Curitiba, through comparative studies between Scholarship Program students and the rest of the student body focusing on grades and student retention. The study offers a brief overview of Brazilian Higher Education and Student Scholarship Programs. The social issue examined is the retention of students in positions of socioeconomic vulnerability in higher education. In order to confront these issues, standards were edited and actions were developed, including the Student Scholarship Program of UTFPR (Federal Technological University of Paraná). The study discusses evaluation procedures of Social Programs and Public Governance. This is a case study in which the university’s academic and the Scholarship Program databases are used as a corpus, and in which a questionnaire for former students, both graduated and withdrawn from the program, serves as compliment. A system of indicators was constructed, and its conclusion is presented through the efficiency of the Student Scholarship Program. The case study results demonstrate higher academic grades from scholarship students in relation to non-scholarship students, as well as higher retention rates for scholarship students in relation to the rest of the student body on campus

Faced with the influx of emerging technologies, educators must continuously equip themselves with the necessary skills to effectively impact on today’s learners. Central to successful curriculum reform and student retention is the realisation that educators need to engage in continuous professional development, to meet the learners’ needs. The purpose of this research study is to explore and study how educators’ skills, knowledge and experience in e-learning can contribute to the successful achievement of the institution’s and students’ educational goals and to the design of a quality support system in an ODeL environment in a developing country. A mixed-method research approach was adopted. The target population was the University of South Africa (Unisa) academic staff members who enrolled for an elearning programme with the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) between the year 2012 and 2014. Convenience non-probability sampling was used and a total of 60 candidates were invited to participate in the study. Most of the participants pointed to the empathetic support they received from the relevant UMUC staff and also indicated that they are now ready to create an empathetic learning environment for their own students at Unisa. It is the premise of this paper that academics cannot impart and/or transfer what they do not have or know to learners and it gives recommendations on striving towards an effective empathetic students support in distance education and e-learning continuous professional development to effectively impact on today’s learners. The importance of pace, assignment due dates, use of rubrics, turnaround time for feedback, built-in support, and appropriate assessment strategies are also key findings in the report. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Open and Distance Learning (ODL)