College Here & Now: Evaluating Program Implementation, Attributes, and Student Outcomes
Pethan, Alexander
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2021-08-08
Abstract
This research project aimed to help the Sheboygan Area School District develop a more complete understanding of the effectiveness of their College Here & Now program; a dual-enrollment IT pathway program that offers high school students the opportunity to graduate high school with an associated degree. The project's conceptual framework was grounded in research about what has worked in similar and successful dual-enrollment programs throughout the United States. I used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design to study the problem. After analyzing data from program records, student records, and surveys, I developed and conducted focus group interviews with stakeholders. The data showed that while the program had high academic rigor and a clear organizational structure, two attributes of successful dual-enrollment programs, it can improve by more clearly defining the program goals and developing a process monitoring plan to continuously evaluate to what extent those goals are being achieved.