An Analysis of High-Performing Science Students’ Preparation for Collegiate Sciences Courses

• Other Authors: Walter, Karen (author)
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Florida Atlantic University
• Subjects: High school students.; Science > Study and teaching > United States.; Science.
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004640; http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004640

This mixed-method study surveyed first year high-performing science students who participated in high-level courses such as International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), and honors science courses in high school to determine their perception of preparation for academic success at the collegiate level. The study used 52 students from an honors college campus and surveyed the students and their professors. The students reported that they felt better prepared for academic success at the collegiate level by taking these courses in high school (p<.001). There was a significant negative correlation between perception of preparation and student GPA with honors science courses (n=55 and Pearson’s r=-0.336), while AP courses (n=47 and Pearson’s r=0.0016) and IB courses (n=17 and Pearson’s r=-0.2716) demonstrated no correlation between perception of preparation and GPA. Students reported various themes that helped or hindered their perception of academic success once at the collegiate level. Those themes that reportedly helped students were preparedness, different types of learning, and teacher qualities. Students reported in a post-hoc experience that more lab time, rigorous coursework, better teachers, and better study techniques helped prepare them for academic success at the collegiate level. Students further reported on qualities of teachers and teaching that helped foster their academic abilities at the collegiate level, including teacher knowledge, caring, teaching style, and expectations. Some reasons for taking high-level science courses in high school include boosting GPA, college credit, challenge, and getting into better colleges. === Includes bibliography. === Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. === FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection