The Mutual Association of Motivation and Level of Participation in a Voluntary College Preparatory Program

• In Event: Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session 3

Abstract

To combat the college readiness inequity many low-SES students face, numerous urban college preparedness reform efforts have developed. This study implemented a mixed methods evaluative case study approach to assess differences in motivation between high school seniors who participated in a voluntary high school college readiness program (active case) and others who did not (passive case). Ryan and Deci’s Self-Determination Theory (SDT) framed the program, provided structure to data analysis, and aided interpretations of findings. Patterns in motivation and goals emerged between the cases revealing a reciprocal relationship between motivation and level of program participation. Additionally, active participants demonstrated higher high school academic and non-academic outcomes and exhibited a higher college enrollment rate, supporting the findings as well as SDT.

Authors

• Christine M Knaggs, Lourdes University

• Toni A. Sondergeld, Bowling Green State University

• John M. Fischer, Bowling Green State University