High School Students' Motivations for College-Going and Subsequent College Enrollment

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session 2

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examines the role of high school students’ motivation regarding post-secondary education, using Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985) to understand how different motivational structures predict college enrollment. Longitudinal survey and college enrollment data from high school students (N=340) were analyzed to determine the relationship between different types of motivation (ranging from intrinsic to extrinsic) and actual college enrollment the following fall. Regression results showed that identified regulation—being motivated with a career goal—was the only statistically significant factor associated with actual enrollment.

Authors

• Donghee Yvette Wohn, New Jersey Institute of Technology

• Nicole Ellison, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor