ERIC Number: EJ1304756
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1543-1223
EISSN: N/A
Examining Diversity in Developmental Trajectories of Cadets' Performance and Character at the United States Military Academy
Schaefer, Hillary S.; Callina, Kristina Schmid; Powers, Jeremiah; Kobylski, Gerald; Ryan, Diane; Lerner, Richard M.
Journal of Character Education, v17 n1 p59-80 2021
A developmental model linking professionalism and character growth is implemented at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (USMA) through its programs and policies. The current study used growth-modeling techniques to examine developmental relationships between metrics of professional development and performance outcomes at USMA and assessed whether race, gender, and athlete status variables moderated the resulting patterns. Data were collected from cadets in the classes of 2017 and 2018, in their first through third years (N = 2,066). Metrics included grade point average (GPA) for the academic, military, and physical programs, and the periodic development review (PDR), a 23-item instrument developed by USMA that evaluates cadets on various professional values, including character attributes. Results indicated that academic and military program GPAs, PDRs, and honor violations were interrelated, with important group differences in GPAs and PDRs by race and between National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes and nonathletes. Models suggested resilience across the corps of cadets from the first to third year; however, group differences favored White and nonathlete cadets in GPAs and PDRs, including self-ratings, even when SAT was accounted for. Implications for junior officer professional development, as well as for professional ratings systems are discussed.
Descriptors: Military Schools, Grade Point Average, Professionalism, Values Education, Professional Development, Outcomes of Education, College Athletics, Athletes, Resilience (Psychology), Racial Differences, Gender Differences, Item Analysis, Comparative Analysis, Self Evaluation (Individuals), College Entrance Examinations, Student Attitudes, Military Personnel, Personality Traits
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: SAT (College Admission Test)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A