Community College Latino/African American Males’ Perceptions of Persistence in Basic and Transfer-Level Writing Courses

• In Event: Strategies for Facilitating Student Success at Community Colleges

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the perceptions of 18 community college Latino and African males and what helps them to succeed and persist in developmental and transfer-level courses using self-determination theory. This study found four major findings: (1) the reason students continued taking English courses was because they were determined to achieve their academic goals, (2) what helped them the most to complete their English courses was seeking assistance and guidance from their English professors, the Writing Lab attached to the basic skills course, and the writing tutoring; (3) what caused students to consider dropping their English courses was feeling overwhelmed; and (4) what kept students from dropping their English courses was their determination to achieve their goals.

Authors

• Lourdes Villarreal, University of La Verne

• Hugo Alberto Garcia, Claremont University - Scripps College