Using Noncognitive Assessment to Predict Academic Success for At-risk Students
Using Noncognitive Assessment to Predict Academic Success for At-risk Students

Author: Paul Orscheln

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 85

ISBN-13:

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The purpose of this study was to determine if noncognitive variables, alone or in combination with standardized test score (ACT or SAT) and/or high school grade point average, can predict student success (first-semester grade point average, first to second year retention and five year graduation rate) for 154 academically at-risk college freshmen admitted into the Conditional Admissions Program (CAP) at the University of Central Missouri for the Fall 2007 semester. In this investigation, student success was defined as a first semester GPA of 2.0 or higher, retaining to the second year and graduating within a five year time frame. Through the six- question short answer-style Insight Resume, noncognitive attributes were evaluated based on each student's life experiences and what they learned from those experiences. Correlations were calculated measuring the relationship between the Insight Resume and the dependent variables. Findings revealed there were only slight correlations between Insight Resume score and earning a first semester GPA of 2.0 or greater, retaining from the first to the second year, and graduating in five years. In addition, logistic regression was used to measure the predictive value of the combination of the Insight Resume scores, HSGPA and composite ACT scores on predicting first semester GPA of 2.0 or higher, retention from year one to year two, or five year graduation rate. Results indicated that there was no indication any of the predictor variables significantly improved the ability to predict earning a first semester GPA of 2.0 or higher or whether a student would retain or graduate.

Minority Student Retention
Minority Student Retention

Author: Alan Seidman

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-05-23

Total Pages: 218

ISBN-13: 1351842919

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Student retention continues to be a vexing problem for all colleges and universities. In spite of the money spent on creating programs and services to help retain students until they achieve their academic and personal goals, and graduate, the figures have not improved over time. This is particularly true for minority students, who have a greater attrition rate than majority students. Demographic information shows that the minority population in the United States is growing at a faster rate than the majority. It is imperative that educational institutions find ways to help improve retention rates for all students but particularly minority students. Retention rates should not differ appreciably among different racial/ethnic groups."The Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory and Practice" is the only scholarly, peer-reviewed journal devoted solely to college student retention. It has published many articles on minority student retention, and this topic continues to garner much attention. This book is a compilation of the very best of these articles, selected on the basis of reviews by a cadre of experts in the education field. The articles discuss African American, Latino/Latina, Asian and Asian Pacific, Native American, and biracial students, and institutional commitments to retaining a diverse student population. For those interested in this vital area, the collection will teach and inspire them to achieve greater heights and pay additional attention to retaining minority students in our colleges and universities.

Predictors of Undergraduate Academic Success
Predictors of Undergraduate Academic Success

Author: Sheri L. Glick-Cuenot

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 133

ISBN-13:

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This study attempted the answer to two primary questions: (a) Are strategic thinking skills possessed by college students prior to university matriculation related to their academic success in college, and (b) How does the predictive accuracy afforded by these skills compare to that from high school grade point average or standardized test scores? A non-experimental quantitative longitudinal research design was employed to conduct this analysis. Three cognitive skills associated with strategic thinking (reframing, reflection, and systems thinking) high school grade point average and standardized test scores served as predictor variables. Six contextual variables - age, gender, ethnicity, education of mother, education of father and academic discipline served as moderators of the relationship between the use of strategic thinking skills and student academic success. Predictor and moderator variable data were collected in the fall of 2009 from a random sample of 229 entering freshman in their first three weeks of university matriculation to mitigate the effect of their program of study and college experience on their thinking skills. The criterion variable - academic success - was measured by student college grade point average, time to degree and degree earned. Data on the criterion variable were collected during the summer of 2013 and fall 2014, from university archival sources, for academic years 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13. Multiple regression and correlation analyses were used to test the hypotheses engendered by the research questions. This research found significant positive correlations among the use of strategic thinking skills and high school grade point average, college grade point average, time to degree and degree earned. College grade point average was the strongest predictor of time to degree and degree earned. These findings add a new dimension that colleges and universities may wish to consider in their admission decisions. The findings also suggest that curricula in K-12 education should be examined to be sure these skills - reframing, systems thinking, and reflecting are taught and learned. Thus, the findings will have theoretical and practical significance.

Big Five Personality Traits and Other Predictors of Academic Success in Physician Assistant Students
Big Five Personality Traits and Other Predictors of Academic Success in Physician Assistant Students

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13:

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"The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between cognitive and noncognitive variables, and academic performance among Physician Assistant (PA) students. Noncognitive variables (i.e. personality traits) were assessed using the Big Five Inventory and the Marlowe Crown Social Desirability Scale. Academic performance outcomes were defined by the participants’ preclinical GPA, clinical GPA, PACKRAT score, PANCE score, and PANCE pass/fail. Cognitive variables were assessed using participants’ overall preadmission GPA and science GPA. The study followed 146 PA student participants’ in seven class cohorts, from matriculation to graduation (first time PANCE). Pearson correlations were computed for each of the cognitive and noncognitive traits’ relationship to each of the Big Five personality traits (conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experience and extraversion) and academic success variables. Regression analysis was conducted for each of the cognitive and noncognitive traits’ relationship to each of the Big Five personality traits and academic success variables. Overall, three of the Big Five personality traits (conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion) positively correlate with one or more academic success variable. Specifically, agreeableness seemed to be the most reliable predictor of academic performance. Cognitive variables (overall preadmission and science GPA) positively correlate with one or more academic success variable. The results of the study suggest physician assistant applicants’ prior success and their individual personality traits predict PA school academic performance. Finally, implications, limitations, and cognitive and noncognitive considerations in the admission process are discussed."--Leaf 3.