An evaluation of a precollege program on college success

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a precollege summer program at Missouri University of Science and Technology known as Hit the Ground Running (HGR). It used a convergent mixed-methods research design, combining data from semi-structured interviews with HGR participants and institutional data on previous HGR participants (e.g., high school grades, ACT scores, math placement test scores, enrollment dates, graduation term). It was based on the theoretical frameworks of Vygotsky (1978) and Bandura (1997). Bandura proposes that self-efficacy is an important factor for college success. Vygotsky suggests that effective learning requires social interaction. While the study did not provide a comparison group, the quantitative data suggest that HGR is an effective program in term of graduation rate and retention. It also found that the primary reasons listed as to why HGR was helpful were that it facilitated the formation of friendship and increased their sense of preparedness, thus selfefficacy in college.