A Systematic Review on Methods to Improve Transfer Rates of African American Male Student-Athletes in California Community Colleges
By
Submitted by Dyan Miller
September 15, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION3
Problem Statement3
Statement of Purpose9
Background and Context10
Theoretical Base15
Definition of Terms19
Significance of Study22
Context of the Study23
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE25
Community College Students25
The Transfer Experience27
Transfer Adjustment28
Systematic Review29
Qualitative Review32
CHAPTER THREE: CONCEPTUAL MODEL34
Cultural Factors36
Learning Environment39
Financial Factors41
Support Systems42
Transition Readiness43
Stressors44
Conclusion45
REFERENCES47
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
A student-athlete is a common phrase used on many college campuses, to describe the commitment of being both a scholar and an athlete. A challenge faced by many student-athletes is how to navigate their athletic commitments with academic resilience. It can be a very delicate balancing act for student-athletes based upon the time demands that it takes to compete at the highest level of competition, while also trying to maintain their grades in the classroom. Involvement in athletics has always been an opportunity to unite the student body, the community and provide students a unique opportunity to express him. Athletics provides many life lessons that have a strong carry over into the work place such as leadership, teamwork, self-discipline and communication. Athletics serves as a conduit for many college students who may have not been able to afford, gained access or thought that college was possible
Problem Statement
Achievement Gap for African American Males in Higher Education
In 2010, the American Council on Education (ACE) released its Annual Status Report on “Minorities in Higher Education.” Trends showed that when it comes to African American males on college campuses the population is not only declining but African Americans have the lowest graduation rate of any student group population (EURweb.com). Of all African American males who enter college, only 35 percent will graduate within six years. This compares to the 61-63 percent of white males, 46 percent of Hispanic men and 45 percent for African American females who entered college and graduated within a six -year time frame ( EURweb.com).
The rate of college course completion by African American male students is the lowest in terms of both gender and ethnicity: 67.7 percent of African American male students who enroll in higher education institutions do not graduate within the established time limit (Harper, 2006a). The study also reveals a considerable graduation gap between white and African American male student-athletes, with 100 percent of white male student-athletes but only 31 percent of African American male student-athletes graduating from the University of Connecticut (Bowie, 2011). The main problem here is the low enrolment of students in athletic programs.
African American Males in Higher Education unique challenges
The researcher found out that there is diversity in African American students. The researcher further found out that campus environment is very diverse. There are very important characteristics associated with transfer students. These factors include poverty, English not the primary language, learning disability, having spouse and children, family barriers and problems, under preparation with respect to new place and culture, and low concentration and high dropout ratio. The researcher found out that African Americans have one or more characteristics mentioned above. Social and cultural ...