| Tamela Heath
University of Maryland
Psycho-social determinants of persistence, attainment and aspirations among African American college students
FINAL REPORT:
The study proposes to test a causal model assessing the psycho-social influences of college on persistence, attainment, and aspirations. The sample to be used in the study is part of the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS) sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics. The proposed model traces students' development over time from college entry to four years later. Path analysis will be used to analyze the model. The model will be tested on a group of African American and White college students who took part int he BPS study. The model will also be replicated on African American students who started out in science related fields. Student success is expected to be influenced by five sets of variables in causal sequence: (1) precollege characteristics; (2) measures of self-concept; (3) structural characteristics of the college or university; (4) measures of the social and academic climate; (5) measure of academic and social integration. Faculty and student interaction is expected to have the strongest impact on the success of African American students. The study has implications for expanding the knowledge base within higher education concerning the retention of African American students and specifically those in science related fields.
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