- Collection:
- Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations
- Title:
- Factors in developmental studies programs associated with student graduation rates in six colleges in Georgia, 1993
- Creator:
- Hunter, Natilon C.
- Date of Original:
- 1993-07-01
- Subject:
- Degrees, Academic
Dissertations, Academic - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- theses
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- This study examined the philosophies, policies, and procedures in Developmental Studies Programs (DPS) which impacted the retention and eventual graduation of high-risk students in the area of reading. The study was based on the premise that programmatic effectiveness and outcomes are linked to specific institutional and human factors. Seven independent variables were considered, and a single intervening variable was identified. A case study analysis approach was used to analyze data gathered from six institutions forming part of the University System of Georgia. An interview scale and an interview analysis grid were developed.The researcher found that in every institution an established developmental studies program existed to meet the needs of high-risk students, and that each institution had detailed program goals and policies, clear philosophies, and strong organizational structures. The conclusions drawn from the findings suggest that factors other than policies, philosophies, organizational structures, are key elements to which program effectiveness may be attributed. The results of this study clearly identified three of the developmental studies programs which retained a significant number of students until graduation. The factors identified are more non-academic than academic considerations such as: program atmosphere, positive student- teacher relationships, improving students' perceptions of the programs, faculty motivational strategies, and communication between faculty in developmental studies and constant dialogue with faculty in the 'regular' college programs.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:1993_hunter_natilon_c.pdf
- Rights Holder:
- Clark Atlanta University
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
- Rights:
-
