Effect of College Readiness Program on Student Motivation for College

Primary author: Oluwasola Oni
Faculty sponsor: Olusola Adesope

Primary college/unit: College of Education
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Previous studies have indicated disparity between first-generation students and students of parents with higher educational attainment (Horn and Nunez, 2000). Consequently, programs have emerged demonstrating success in bridging the gap in increasing college enrollment among first-generation and low-income students. This research explored the effect of the Coug Rise College Readiness Program on students’ motivation to pursue college. This study examined disparity in educational attainment, race, and gender as independent variables influencing student motivation. The two groups of students were assessed (1) continuing high school students (track 3) and (2) prospective college freshmen (track 2). This non-randomized purposive sampling study comprised of 28 first-generation and low-income students (males and females) across 7 racial identities; ten (10) Hispanic/Latinx, six (6) white, three (3) American Indian or Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, one (1) Black or African American, one (1) was Asian and the remain seven (7) were Multi-racial. We performed a test of independence chi-square on SPSS because variables were ordinal and categorical. Findings from this study showed that there was no difference in student motivation based on the level of educational attainment, race, and gender. However, across the different races in the study, all the students confirmed that they were motivated to enroll in college after the summer program. These findings have eliminated the level of educational attainment, race, and gender as factors influencing students’ perception. Hence, it enhanced the influence of the program on student motivation. In conclusion, the study contributes to the growing literature on college readiness programs.