Integration of Israeli Students of Ethiopian Origin in Israeli Universities

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-34
Author(s):  
Rafi Feuerstein ◽  
David Tzuriel ◽  
Shlomit Cohen ◽  
Anat Cagan ◽  
Lea Yosef ◽  
...  

The current criterion for acceptance to universities in Israel is based on psychometric testing that presents a strong barrier for acceptance of students of Ethiopian origin (SEO) to the universities. Based on the sociocultural theories of Vygotsky and Feuerstein, we suggest an intervention aimed at integrating SEO, considered to be “culturally different,” in universities. The intervention includes a novel screening process (based on dynamic assessment [DA] and an interview), academic oriented metacognitive course, and supportive counseling. A group of SEO (n = 665) with low psychometric scores, applied for assistance in admission to university, in seven cohorts (2010-2016). A group of 174 (26%) candidates were selected for the project and enrolled for studies in university; 49.4% enrolled in prestigious departments (e.g., medicine). The findings showed that despite the significant lower psychometric scores of the SEO as compared with the national average, only 4.6% have withdrawn at the end of first year as compared with 10.8% of the national Jewish sample and 12.4% among SEO population. A higher percentage of SEO in the current sample enrolled in high prestige departments than SEO in the population. No significant differences were found between dropped-out and continuing students in the psychometric test. Prediction of three-years' grade point average (GPA) by psychometric scores were not significant (R2 = .03, p > .05) as compared to the prediction in SEO population (R2 = .10, p < .001). The findings support Vygotsky's and Feuerstein's approach that standardized tests of students with deprived cultural backgrounds do not reflect their learning potential and that the use short-term intervention may be an effective mechanism of preparing students for academic success.

Author(s):  
Kathleen D. Viezel ◽  
Benjamin Freer ◽  
Chelsea D. Morgan

As an increasing number of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) matriculate on college campuses, all stakeholders should be prepared to meet their needs. Despite a body of literature describing adaptive behavior deficits of those with ASD, there is a paucity of research examining these skills among those who are college-ready. The present study investigated the adaptive behavior of a diverse group ( N = 27) of incoming college students with ASD and examined to what extent these skills could predict initial academic success. Despite average intelligence and good academic indicators, deficits in communication, socialization, and daily living skills were found. No models, even those which included intelligence quotient (IQ) and SAT scores, were predictive of first-semester or first-year grade point average (GPA). Importantly, freshman-to-sophomore retention appeared higher than the university average. Findings suggest that practitioners and families should consider adaptive behavior in addition to intellectual and academic capabilities when considering postsecondary opportunities and available supports.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael McElveen ◽  
Kelly Ibele

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the relationship of intramural sports and Division III athletic participation to retention and academic success in first-year college students. A first-year student cohort ( n = 568) was grouped into four categories: no participation, student-athlete, intramural participant, and participant in both. There was no statistically significant difference in academic success among the participant groups, F(6, 1084) = .626, p = .710. Both the student-athlete and intramural participant groups were retained at a higher rate than the no participation group, 4.65% and 10.48%, respectively. Of the 46 student-athletes who discontinued playing varsity sports, only 17 remained at the institution. This investigation supports that intramural sports and Division III varsity athletic participation does not negatively affect grade point average and credit hours earned in first-year students, while demonstrating a positive relationship with retention. The results also highlight the need for intentional intervention and research related to the disengaged student-athlete.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Steven D. Holladay ◽  
Robert M. Gogal ◽  
Parkerson C. Moore ◽  
R. Cary Tuckfield ◽  
Brandy A. Burgess ◽  
...  

Student applications for admission to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine include the following information: undergraduate grade point average (GPA), GPA in science courses (GPAScience), GPA for the last 45 credit hours (GPALast45hrs), results for the Graduate Record Examination Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning Measures (GRE-QV), results for the GRE Analytical Writing Measure (GRE-AW), and grades received for 10 required prerequisite courses. In addition, three faculty members independently review and score subjective information in applicants’ files (FileScore). The admissions committee determines a composite Admission Score (AdmScore), which is based on GPA, GPAScience, GPALast45hrs, GRE-QV, GRE-AW, and the FileScore. The AdmScore is generally perceived to be a good predictor of class rank at the end of year 1 (CREY1). However, this has not been verified, nor has it been determined which components of the AdmScore have the strongest correlation with CREY1. The present study therefore compared each component of the AdmScore for correlation with CREY1, for the three classes admitted in 2015, 2016 and 2017 (Class15, Class16, Class17). Results suggest that only a few components of the application file are needed to make strong predictive statements about the academic success of veterinary students during the first year of the curriculum.


Author(s):  
Karen Huhn ◽  
Brittney Rusinski ◽  
Amanda Saucier ◽  
Victoria McIntyre ◽  
Teresa Rock ◽  
...  

Background: Higher education programs that admit students to sequential curricula incur a substantial financial loss when an enrolled student fails to continue in the program for whatever reason. In many instances, the seat cannot be filled, and valuable tuition dollars often over $90,000 per student is lost to the institution. In addition to financial loss, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs are required to report and explain rates to the Commission for Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Admission committees at Doctor of Physical Therapy programs seek candidates that will be successful in the program and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore relationships of non-cognitive characteristics (grit and emotional intelligence) and Grade Point Average (GPA) in the first year of a DPT program with the intent to potentially identify students who might benefit from remediation/intervention to prevent attrition. Methods: Forty-two students in the first year of a Doctor of Physical Therapy program completed the Grit scale and the Mayers-Salovey Emotional Intelligence test early in the fall semester of year one. Results: There were no significant relationships between grit or emotional intelligence and academic success in the first year of a DPT program. Conclusions: The current study provides preliminary information related to non-cognitive factors of grit and emotional intelligence and success in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.


1994 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 815-818 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Snyder

Data for a published sample of 150 first-year university students in Britain and from a current sample of 86 in Mexico were examined for attributes of academic success. Categories were ranked differently.


1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Magennis ◽  
Jennifer Mitchell

The university entry scores for school leavers admitted to the first year of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Health Information Management) degree at the University of Sydney in 1996 were examined to determine whether the Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) was a good predictor of academic performance, as measured by grade point average (GPA). The study also examined Higher School Certificate (HSC) results in English and mathematics, and preference selection for the health information management (HIM) course to determine whether any of these had predictive validity. The results showed that TER, HSC English and mathematics scores and preference for the course were all poor predictors of academic performance in the student's first year. Low TER was not associated with low GPA and low scores in English and mathematics were not associated with low GPA. There was no significant difference between the performance of those students who listed the HIM course as their first preference and those who did not. These results suggest that there may be no need to establish a minimum entry level for admission to the HIM course, or for prerequisites in English and mathematics. It may be that multiple criteria are required to predict academic success in this course.


NASPA Journal ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt J Mayhew ◽  
Rebecca J Caldwell ◽  
Aimee Hourigan

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of curricular-based interventions housed within first-year success courses on alcohol expectancies and high-risk drinking behaviors. Specifically, we longitudinally assessed 173 students enrolled in one of ten first-year success courses, including five that received the alcohol intervention and five that did not. We then created a series of models accounting for demographic information (i.e., gender and self-reported expected grade point average), the pretest scores for the six outcome measures, and the intervention effect (i.e., whether students received the intervention or not). ANCOVA results showed that the intervention was effective in reducing high-risk drinking behaviors and alcohol expectancies for students enrolled in the success courses that received the intervention. Implications for student affairs practitioners and higher education scholars are discussed.


Curationis ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Botha ◽  
G. Cleaver

The mother child relationship can help or hinder the social, emotional and intellectual development of the infant. Research has shown that the interaction between mother and child can affect the child’s cognitive development. Research has shown that mothers from the lower socio-economic groups do not stimulate their babies optimally and that this may affect the children negatively. In this study 86 underprivileged mothers from two different cultural backgrounds were asked to describe the ways in which they kept their infants occupied during the first year of their infants’ lives. The differences between the two groups are discussed and recommendations are made.


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