Exploring Achievement: Factors affecting Native American College Student Success
Date
2011-04
Authors
Crosby, Heather
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Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore factors that affect Native American student success in post-secondary education. The literature suggests that five factors affect 1) previous academic performance; 2) financial aid; 3) familial support; 4) feeling connected; and 5) campus involvement. Methods: Semi-structured phone interviews with Native American college graduates were conducted to ascertain the factors they believe affected their college success. Students were asked to list the factors they believe affected their success and then asked questions based on the working hypotheses developed through the literature. Findings: This research found that each of the factors predicted by the literature were supported by information collected from the interviews, although at varying levels. Familial support and financial aid were found to be the most important factors in student success while high school GPA and involvement in a first-year group were found to have the least impact.
Description
An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Spring 2011.
Keywords
Native American, achievement, higher education, graduation, success, Public Administration
Citation
Crosby, H. (2011). Exploring achievement: Factors affecting Native American college student success. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.