Degree

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

School of Education

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Racial group membership and social-economic status (SES) among academically talented students are recognized as powerful predictors of matriculation and college expectations. Moving or transitioning from high school to college is an essential pathway for success in life. Previous research suggests that college enrollment is correlated to resource opportunities available to students that they can access through their relationship with their parents, peers, school staff, teachers, and others.

These relationships are vital in increasing college matriculation by providing academic assistance, emotional support, psychological encouragement, relevant information, and guidance to students in the complex college application process.

College preparatory or outreach programs in high school offer vital social strategies and academic skills that facilitate the initial and transition adjustments students need for college. This study investigates the impact of a college preparatory, outreach program (FLY Tour) on the matriculation of academically talented low SES and underrepresented youth.

Various statistical techniques were used to examine the significant relationships between matriculation, high school academics, and demographic variables with high school senior participation in the FLY Tour. The statistical techniques used included basic descriptive statistics and logistical regression analysis for research questions I, II, and III. The quantitative analysis revealed different results for FLY Tour participants and non-FLY Tour participants in the 2017-2018 cohort. Positive changes in the results occurred once gender, race/ethnicity, and social economic status (SES) were added to the logistical regression model 3. Overall, in the quantitative analysis, the FLY Tour participants outperformed the non-participants in matriculation.

Research question IV was qualitatively analyzed by using grounded theory methodology. In using grounded theory methodology, the student responses caused various themes to emerge. From the student survey responses, the FLY Tour participants expressed positive benefits of participating in the outreach program, which yielded a positive outcome in matriculation. The quantitative and qualitative results prove that the FLY Tour program impacted student’s matriculation prediction.

Keywords: matriculation, college enrollment, college choice, social capital, cultural capital, attainment, persistence

Date

11-12-2020

Committee Chair

Kennedy, Eugene

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.5418

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