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Main Menu Session 2002-944

Factors that Affect Grade Point Average and Retention Status of First-Time Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Students at Morgan State University, an Historically Black University

Dr. John Albert Wheatland, Jr.

Morgan State University Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering

Abstract

Many colleges conduct summer bridge programs to prepare incoming freshmen for matriculation into their institutions. From 1994 to 1998 Morgan State University (MSU) conducted two summer bridge programs for science, engineering, and math (SEM) students, The Alliance for Minority Participation Math Bridge Program and The National Aeronautical Space Administration Morgan Engineering Enrichment Program. This study examined the effects these programs and other factors had on students’ academic performance and retention in SEM during the first year of college. This study tested five hypotheses that state attending a summer bridge program is a predictor of first year academic performance and retention in SEM, after high school grade point average (GPA), total Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score, and gender are controlled. This causal-comparative descriptive study had a correlational design. A sample of 500 first-time MSU SEM freshmen was randomly selected and their first year academic records were analyzed. Hierarchical linear regression and hierarchical binary logistic regression models were used to test the hypotheses. The data analysis did not support the five hypotheses, except for engineering students where attendance at a SEM summer bridge program predicts second semester GPA. But, participants of the bridge programs performed better academically and were retained in SEM at higher rates than non-participants, and 70% of the participants of one program recommended it for other students. High school GPA and total SAT score were found to be predictors of first - year college GPA. High school GPA and first-year college GPA were found to be predictors of retention in SEM for the first year of college. In addition, although females performed better academically than males, they were retained in SEM at identical rates. High school GPA was negatively related to retention in SEM.

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

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Wheatland, J. (2002, June), Factors That Affect Grade Point Average And Retention Status Of First Time Science, Engineering, And Mathematics Students At Morgan State University, An Historically Black University Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--11338