College Student Academic Achievement: Longitudinal Examination of Trajectories Based on Remediation and Graduation

• In Event: 16.058 - Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: 16.058-2 - Beyond Assessing Achievement: Understanding the Process of Shaping Student Outcomes

Abstract

College student academic achievement trajectories based on remediation enrollment and graduation were examined through growth curve modeling. Longitudinal examination reveal that student performance tend to decline during the first four semester but students who eventually graduate show an increase in semester GPA past the fourth semester. Students who received remediation and were on graduation path were the only group which consistently improved their performance. The timing of the divergence of the academic achievement trends for those who graduate in comparison to those who do not suggests that students may be experiencing a second transition period when they enroll in upper division major field courses. Practical implications and directions for future examinations are discussed.

Authors

• Zornitsa Georgieva, Prince George's Community College

• Reagan Curtis, West Virginia University

• Megan L. Smith, West Virginia University