ERIC Number: ED531167
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 73
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1094-8132-7
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Factors Associated with African-American Freshmen and Non-African-American Freshmen Retention and Graduation at a Predominantly White, Regional University
Owens, Robert L., II
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Tennessee Technological University
The purpose of this study was to examine further, the factors at a Predominantly White College or University (PWCU) that may affect the first-year retention and six-year graduation of African-American (AA) and non-AA students. Biographical and descriptive data was obtained for each student entering Tennessee Technological University (TTU) from the fall semester of 1997 through the fall semester of 2006. Additional data was obtained from the Tennessee Department of Education 2006 Report Card and the National Center for Education Statistics' Common Core of Data Public and Private School Databases. Backward Binary Logistic Regression was used to determine factors that significantly affected first-year graduation and six-year retention of African-American students. Of a host of potential factors included in the analysis, high school grade point average (HSGPA) was the most significant and impactful predictor of both first-year retention and six-year graduation of AA and non-AA students. For both groups of students, the percentage of economically disadvantaged students in the high school from which they graduated was also shown to be statistically significant in terms of first-year retention. It was shown to be significant for non-AA students in the prediction of six-year graduation, but not for AA students. In addition to HSGPA, students' gender and participation in intercollegiate athletics were significant predictors for both AA and non-AA students regarding six year graduation. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: African American Students, College Freshmen, School Holding Power, Graduation, Disproportionate Representation, Universities, Predictor Variables, Grade Point Average, Economically Disadvantaged, High School Students, Gender Differences, College Athletics, Intercollegiate Cooperation
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: High Schools; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Tennessee
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A