Empirical Evidence of a Holistic Model of Noncognitive Factors That Explain Academic Outcomes

• In Event: 41.037 - Noncognitive Factors in Student Success

Abstract

Several studies have shown the general importance of noncognitive variables in predicting academic outcomes. However, few studies have produced empirical evidence to shed light upon how noncognitive variables interrelate in a more holistic model. The purpose of the present study was to test one section of a model that hypothesizes how five broad categories of noncognitive factors interrelate. Data from 5,243 Mexican students entering college were examined using structural equation modeling to test the interrelationships between internal and external locus of control, perseverance, metacognitive strategies, and academic behaviors. Preliminary results indicate that the model had a good fit to the data and that the direct and indirect effects were statistically significant. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.

Authors

• Margarita Olivera Aguilar, Educational Testing Service

• Ingrid Garcia, Ceneval

• Miguel Herrera, Centro Nacional de Evaluación para la Educación Superior, A.C. 

• Lucia Monroy, Ceneval, A.C.