A Framework for Reducing the College Success Gap and Promoting Success ...

A Framework for Reducing the College Success Gap and Promoting

Success for All

Commissioned Report for the National Symposium on Postsecondary Student Success:

Spearheading a Dialog on Student Success

Laura W. Perna University of Pennsylvania

Scott L. Thomas University of Georgia

July 2006

July 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................

Purpose ............................................................................................................ Literature Review ............................................................................................

Definition of Student Success............................................................. Procedures........................................................................................... Characteristics of the Literature on Student Success ..........................

Characteristics of the Proposed Conceptual Model of Student Success ..........

Student Success is a Longitudinal Process ......................................... Multiple Theoretical Approaches Inform Understanding of

Student Success................................................................... Student Success is Shaped by Multiple Levels of Context................. The Relative Contribution of Different Disciplinary and Area

Perspectives Varies ............................................................. Multiple Methodological Approaches Contribute to Knowledge

of Student Success............................................................... Student Success Processes Vary Across Groups ................................

Layers of the Proposed Conceptual Model ......................................................

Layer 1--Internal Context ..................................................................

Education ............................................................................ Psychology .......................................................................... Sociology ............................................................................ Economics ...........................................................................

Page

1

2 3

4 6 6

6

7

8 8

9

9 10

10

10

10 11 12 13

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Layer 2--Family Context ................................................................... 13

Education ............................................................................ 13 Psychology .......................................................................... 14 Sociology ............................................................................ 14 Economics ........................................................................... 15

Layer 3--School Context ................................................................... 15

Education ............................................................................ 16 Psychology .......................................................................... 16 Sociology ............................................................................ 17 Economics ........................................................................... 18

Layer 4--Social, Economic, and Policy Context ............................... 19

Education ............................................................................ 19 Psychology .......................................................................... 19 Sociology ............................................................................ 20 Economics ........................................................................... 20

Implications of the Proposed Conceptual Model............................................. 20

Recommendations for Policymakers and Practitioners ...................... 21 Recommendations for Researchers..................................................... 22

Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 25 References........................................................................................................ 27

APPENDIX A: LITERATURE REVIEW ..........................................................................

Characteristics of the Literature on Student Success .......................................

Variations in Attention to Student Success......................................... Variations in Aspects of Student Success Examined.......................... Variations in Theoretical Approaches to Student Success..................

Education ............................................................................ Psychology .......................................................................... Sociology ............................................................................ Economics ...........................................................................

Variations in Methodological Approaches and Sources of Data ........ Variations Across Disciplines in the Unit of Analysis ....................... Variations in Attention to Differences Across Groups .......................

A-1

A-3

A-4 A-5 A-7

A-9 A-10 A-11 A-12

A-13 A-15 A-16

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LIST OF APPENDIX TABLES

Table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Top journals by discipline, as measured by citations and impact factor: 2003 .................................................................................................................

Journals that specialize in higher education by number of citations and impact factor: 2003 .........................................................................................

Number of articles that examined an indicator of student success published in top journals between January 1, 1995, and June 30, 2005 ..........

Student success outcomes examined in articles in top journals in various disciplines between January 1, 1995, and June 30, 2005.................................

Theoretical perspectives used to examine student success in articles in top journals in various disciplines....................................................................

Methodological approaches to student success in articles in top journals in various disciplines .......................................................................................

Unit of analysis in articles in top journals in various disciplines.....................

Attention to differences across groups in articles published in top journals in various disciplines..........................................................................

Page A-2 A-3 A-4 A-6 A-7 A-13 A-16 A-17

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 2

Key transitions and indicators of student success............................................ Proposed conceptual model of student success................................................

Page 5 7

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