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Dropouts' perceptions of deterrents to course completion in an on‐site GED program
Author(s) -
Vann Barry
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
human resource development quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1532-1096
pISSN - 1044-8004
DOI - 10.1002/hrdq.3920060406
Subject(s) - psychology , dropout (neural networks) , perception , demography , likert scale , social psychology , developmental psychology , sociology , neuroscience , machine learning , computer science
This study examined perceptions of deterrents to completion of an on‐site high school completion program among dropouts, with particular focus on their status as dropouts and isolates and on their gender. Thirty‐seven food processing workers who had dropped out of the program participated in the study. Quantitative methods were used in the analyses. By examining Likert‐type responses from a questionnaire designed for the study, it was found that for the entire sample of dropouts, time constraints was the highest‐rated factor (M = 2.20) F(4, 180) = 3.44, p <.01. Comparisons of responses from clique members and isolates showed that clique members were more affected by time constraints (M = 2.70) than their isolated counterparts were (M = 1.99) t(35) = 2.457, p < .02. Between‐group comparisons were made with respect to gender because males had a higher dropout rate than females. Males rated the low personal priority factor (M = 2.20) higher than females (M = 1.23), t(37) = −4.22, p <.01. The article concludes with suggestions on ways to lessen the deterrents.