This study was a descriptive investigation of Individualized Manpower Training Systems in Florida. The purpose of the study was to determine if the Individualized Manpower Training System facilitated the retention of academically disadvantaged Afro-American students in area vocational-technical centers throughout Florida. / The population for the study consisted of 292 Afro-American students from five of 32 IMTS programs in Florida area vocational-technical centers. In addition to the student population, 32 IMTS learning managers from 28 IMTS programs participated. / The study was conducted in two phases. Phase one involved mailing survey instruments to learning managers of IMTS programs throughout Florida. Phase two consisted of site visitations to selected IMTS centers to survey and interview samples of Afro-American students and learning managers. / Two survey instruments were used in conducting the study. The questionnaires were developed from the objectives of the IMTS programs and strategies identified in the literature as helpful in student retention. The reliability of survey instruments was determined by the test-retest method. Coefficients were calculated as .82 for the student instrument and .78 for the learning manager instrument. / The findings support IMTS as a facilitator in the retention of Afro-American students in vocational-technical centers. The results indicate that the four IMTS components vary in their facilitation of retention. / The component of remedial instruction was found to be paramount in encouraging student retention. In addition, the findings indicate that there is a need for employability training as well as training associated with occupational exploration. Reports by students and learning managers however, did not strongly support the need for social skill training; however, this may be a result of how IMT Systems have been structured. In addition to instructional supports, findings revealed that motivational factors are also important in retaining students in vocational programs. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-07, Section: A, page: 2557. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75873 |
| Contributors | FENNELL, DWIGHT JOSEPH., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 215 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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