Does Free Community College Improve Student Outcomes? Evidence From a Regression Discontinuity Design

In this article, I utilize a regression discontinuity design to estimate the effects of Tulsa Achieves—a prevalent and understudied type of tuition-free college program. In contrast to concerns regarding tuition-free community college suppressing bachelor’s degree attainment, I find that Tulsa Achieves increased the likelihood of transferring to 4-year colleges by 13 to 14 percentage points and increased bachelor’s degree attainment by approximately 2 percentage points. The estimates for shorter outcomes are underpowered to detect policy relevant effects, but suggest Tulsa Achieves increased college GPA and had a null impact on credit accumulation, retention, and graduation from Tulsa Community College.

Applying grade inflation adjustment mechanism in an Ethiopian university: Differences in nominal and real grades

Abstract-Grade inflation is a recognized problem in universities around the world. The factors underlying grade inflation are also discussed by studies. The objective of this study was: firstly, to observe the degree of grade inflation by analyzing the difference between nominal grades and real grades of students across departments. Secondly, the study analyzes the relationship between aptitude test scores and college GPA. In order to achieve these objectives, the first semester grades of all Wachemo university first batch third-year students (total 435 students: male 287 female 148) were collected from the registrar and the nominal and real grades were calculated. The Grieves method of real grade analysis formula was used to analyze the real grades. The findings of this study revealed that although there was no severity of grade inflation in the semester, 4 departments out of 12 departments registered inflated grades. The correlation between nominal and real grades of students is positive and strong indicating that real grades are grade-inflation adjusted nominal grades. There was a zero correlation between aptitude test scores and the college GPA in this study. The similarity of the grading system, and the similarity and the harmonization of the courses make the Grieve’s method of grade inflation adjustment mechanism to be applied in Ethiopian universities. In addition, mechanisms of adjusting grade inflation better have attention in Ethiopia in order to standardize grades from different universities to have a fairer and valid comparison of graduates for employment. Key words: Nominal grade, real grade, aptitude test scores

An Examination of College Student Academic Social Supports with Diverse College Students

This study examined the validity of seven academic support scales and their relationships with demographics, achievement and retention of diverse college students. In study one, 207 students completed an online survey containing five scales assessing student perceptions of faculty, university, family and peer supports. Exploratory factor analysis results supported the hypothesized five-factor structure. In study two, 633 students responded to the five initial scales and two additional scales related to family and peers to replicate and extend the factor structure. EFA results supported the hypothesized seven-factor structure. In study three, we examined relationships between the academic social support scales, student demographics, college GPA and fourth semester retention. Demographic differences were present on student perceptions of faculty, university community, family academic discussions, family college persistence, and family financial supports. Moreover, the academic social supports predicted college GPA across four semesters and fourth semester retention. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Exploring the Relationships Between High School Course Enrollment, Achievement, and First-Semester College GPA

This study explored the impact of Advanced Placement and honors course enrollment and high school grade point average (GPA) on first-semester college GPA. Data were collected from 131 college freshmen enrolled at a minority-serving institution who graduated from a public school during the previous academic year. A four-step hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that family structure, college status, enrollment in one or more Advanced Placement courses, and enrollment in five or more honors courses accounted for a significant amount of variance explained in first-semester college GPA, both individually and in combination. High school GPA intervened in these variables relationships with first-semester college GPA accounting for a significant amount of variance. Based on these findings, opportunities for future research and implications for K–12 schools and colleges are provided.

The Relationship of Help-Seeking Inclinations to Traditional Predictors of Academic Success and First-Semester College GPA

Inclination to seek help was measured among a cohort of first-time, full-time freshman at a private university prior to the start of their first semester. The item involved a 10-point scale defined with contrasting terms at each end (i.e. verbal anchors at the extremes). Approximately 78% of the respondents rated themselves 5 and below, indicating a general reluctance to seek help. Males were less likely to seek help than females. Help-seeking inclinations were positively correlated with academic performance in high school, as reflected in class rank, but negatively related to SAT scores. An interaction was observed, indicating that students with high SAT and low high school rank were especially reluctant to look for help. The relationship of help seeking predisposition to first semester college GPA was curvilinear, with the GPA rising with increasing proclivity to seek help until the highest level of help seeking, at which point it dropped.

Mapping Mindset and Academic Success Among Black Men at a Predominantly White Institution

Based on a larger research project, this chapter highlights findings from an exploratory study investigating the link between mindset and academic success among Black college men. Drawing on a self-reported survey instrument designed by the researcher, a regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between academic mindset (i.e., growth, fixed) and college grade point average (GPA), controlling for high school GPA and parents' education level. While the final model from a hierarchical linear regression (N = 34) indicates that high school GPA, parents' education level, and mindset accounted for 31% of the variance in Black males' college GPA, mindset did not significantly predict college GPA above and beyond Black males' precollege academic ability and parents' education level. Practical considerations for research and practice are discussed.

Is Eighty Percent of Success Just Showing Up? Student Compliance and Refusal to Complete an Advisement Form as an Indicator of First-Term GPA

Motivation and, inferentially, commitment are critical, non-cognitive factors in college success. One needs to detect and measure these attributes prior to a student's acutal enrollment in classes since early detection of at-risk students can lead to the most productive intervention initiatives. Freshmen entering into La Salle University were required to complete a form used as a basis for advising. Students complying (n=427) and not complying (n=291) with the request were compared on high school grade point average (GPA), SAT scores, and first-term college GPA. The noncompliant students had lower credentials on the admissions criteria (high school GPA, SAT) as well as on the outcome measure (first-term college GPA), although the effect sizes were small. The findings support the contention that compliance with requirements is a proxy for academic motivation and can serve as a cue to how well a student will perform.

Need for Cognition and Motivation Differentially Contribute to Student Performance

The need for cognition and motivation are related to performance in school and standardized tests. In this study, 422 students completed a battery of individual difference measures and reported their scores on the American College Testing (ACT) exam, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), high school grade point average (GPA), major GPA, and overall college GPA. Need for cognition was positively related to ACT and SAT scores, respectively, but not GPA. Achievement motivation was positively correlated with high school GPA, major GPA, overall college GPA, ACT score, and SAT score. The results showed that need for cognition may be related to standardized testing performance, whereas motivation, particularly achievement motivation, is related to performance in the classroom and in the major. Our results indicate that the need for cognition is distinct from the enjoyment of thinking and motivation toward challenge.