A Study of Early College High School Students' Persistence Toward Attaining a Bachelor's Degree

• In Event: 25.067 - Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: 25.067-1 - Student Capital and Experiences in School Improvement Processes

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This mixed methods study involved a two phase examination of how early college high school students who graduate with <19 college credit hours, 20-39 college credit hours, or >40 college credit hours predict their completion of a Bachelor’s Degree. The research incorporated an explanatory sequential mixed methods design that involved collecting quantitative data, then explaining the results with in-depth qualitative data (Creswell, J.W., 2014). This data was collected on ECHS graduates from an ECHS District in the Lower Rio Grade Valley (LRGV).

Qualitative analysis involving in-depth interviews with (6) students identified six themes related to college completion for ECHS students. Those six themes were: relationships, family, service to others, college ready, persistence and support.

Authors

• Don Jones, Texas A&M University - Kingsville

• Narciso Garcia, Texas A&M University - Kingsville

• Carrie Isaacson, Hardin-Simmons University

• Linda Challoo, Texas A&M University - Kingsville