An analysis of academic success and persistence for minority pre-collegiate participants compared to minority non-pre-collegiate participants at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse from 1976-80

Abstract

Colleges and universities are currently dealing with the problem of high attrition levels, particularly among minority students. Programs have been developed to assist students who are deficient in the academic skills necessary for college survival. This study attempted to determine whether the Pre-Collegiate program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has improved the chance of academic success for minority freshmen, and whether Pre-Collegiate participants persist as long as non-participant minority students. Two undergraduate populations were chosen. One consisted of black freshmen who enrolled full time at UW-L between fall 1976 through fall 1980, but did not participate in the Pre-Collegiate program. The other group consisted of Pre-Collegiate participants who enrolled full time during this study period. The second group was also divided into two parts, creating a third group consisting of all the black Pre- Collegiate participants. One hundred and twenty-six subjects were involved in the study. Cumulative grade point average and cumulative credits earned data were analyzed to determine if any significant differences existed between the participants and the non-participants. It was concluded that there were no significant differences at the .05 level in cumulative grade point average between black Pre-Collegiates and black non-participants, however there was a significant difference reported for one program year. There were no reported differences in cumulative grade point average between Pre-Collegiate freshmen as a whole and the non-Pre-Collegiate group. There were no significant differences at the .05 level in cumulative credits earned between all Pre-Collegiates and the non-Pre-Collegiate group, however a significant difference was reported for credits earned between the black Pre-Collegiates and the black non-Pre-Collegiate group.