The problem addressed in this study was the lack of quantitative evidence regarding the effectiveness of standards-based grading. The purpose of this study was to compare college students' GPAs and their perception of college preparedness to determine if there was a significant difference between students graduating from traditional grading high…

This study focuses on undergraduates' preparation for college level courses. In recent international PISA results United States students fall behind seventeen countries on the computer-based reading proficiency test. They have scored low for over a decade, in spite of spending more than one hundred-thousand dollars per student on education. This…

International graduate students are on the rise while the undergraduate international student body decreased (IEE, 2022b). International students bring diverse cultures and financial benefits to higher educational institutions in the U.S. International graduate students need more support in language and culture, especially for their disciplinary…

This qualitative phenomenological research employed purposive sampling to delve into the educational concept of equity disparity stemming from college readiness programs. The study specifically targeted teachers and administrators who possessed firsthand experience with the phenomenon of inequity observed among students achieving success within…

Our educational system must constantly change and evolve to fully equip our students with the support and resources needed to succeed. However, the needs of first-generation students--students who desire to go to college but whose parents did not attend--are oftentimes not considered as part of these educational changes. These students encounter…

During the summer of 2021, we taught a series of lessons on social media literacy during a 6-week summer bridge program designed to prepare students for their first year of community college. Community college students represent nearly 40% of all U.S. undergraduates (AACC, 2022), with nearly 50% of all first-generation college students attending…

The issue of college readiness persists in higher education, with many students entering college unprepared for the demands of college-level coursework. This challenge is particularly pronounced in math-intensive fields, where students frequently encounter struggles in corequisite math courses. The problem statement asserts that underprepared…

Corequisite developmental mathematics is an instructional model designed to support underprepared college students in completing their gateway math requirements. A transition to this model typically requires changes in pedagogy and a commitment to the integration of learning support with course content and instruction. This research garnered input…

There is a growing interest in ensuring that students are prepared for college and a career when they finish high school. Research identified several indicators that are associated with college preparedness including attendance, grade point average (GPA), and test scores. However, it is difficult to use these indicators to determine the…

Short, preparatory 'foundation year' courses have exploded in popularity in recent years, but they have drawn criticism from policymakers. Like Access diplomas, they serve to support people from all backgrounds to enter higher education. This HEPI Report asks whether foundation years are effective tools for widening access -- or whether, when it…

It is well documented that college degree attainment can impact lifetime earnings and social mobility. However, research shows that first-generation college students (FGCs) are less likely than their peers to enroll in college after high school. The influence of a college counselor at the high school level as an influential other may positively…

Introduction: Enabling education programs, otherwise known as Foundation Studies or Preparatory programs, provide pathways for students typically under-represented in higher education. Students in Enabling programs often face distinct challenges in their induction to academic culture which can implicate them in cases of misconduct. This case study…

We examine the potential to expand and diversify the production of university STEM degrees by shifting the margin of initial enrollment between community colleges and 4-year universities. Our analysis is based on statewide administrative microdata from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development covering enrollees in all…

Host country education can be crucial for the social integration as well as labour market outcomes of refugees and asylum seekers. To meet the same admission criteria for studying at German higher education institutions (HEI) as other international student applicants, refugees and asylum seekers can attend pre-study programmes at preparatory…

This guest perspective argues that converting in-person summer pre-college program participants into matriculated, degree-seeking undergraduate students at that same institution is a multi-step process that involves: 1) strategic pre-college program recruitment, 2) a curated and well-rounded summer pre-college experience that is both academically…