Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2023, Higher Education

An Abstract of Perceptions of Dually Enrolled, Eighth-Grade College Students' College Readiness: A Qualitative Study by Kenneth D. Hale Submitted to the Graduate Faculty as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education The University of Toledo December 2023 Throughout the United States, dual enrollment programs enable high school students to earn college credit by completing college classes while in high school. In 2015, the State of Ohio expanded grade-level eligibility to participate in the state's dual enrollment program, College Credit Plus, to seventh- and eighth-grade students. The purpose of this study was to explore the college readiness perceptions of a newer and expanded audience of dual-enrollment participants: students who completed college classes at a community college as eighth graders. Using a semistructured interview guide, data were collected from nine students who participated in in-depth interviews responding to questions related to their eighth-grade college experiences and their self-perceptions of their college readiness. Using a systematic qualitative data analysis process, eight themes emerged from the study and were interpreted using Conley's college readiness theoretical framework. The study's key findings revealed study participants, as dually enrolled, eighth-grade college students, possessed aspiration and motivation; found the cognitively stimulating college environment appealing; demonstrated content mastery; and felt college ready. Findings also revealed participants felt positive instructor rapport was meaningful, and most participants were socially comfortable in their college classes. Though the study revealed students demonstrated ownership of learning and adapted, matured, and persevered in their college classes, challenges were nonetheless experienced. Extending empirical research primarily examining high school students, this study contributes to the body of knowledge (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Edward Janak (Committee Chair); Penny Poplin Gosetti (Committee Co-Chair); Alex Johnson (Committee Member); Dennis Lettman (Committee Member); David Meabon (Committee Member) Subjects: Community College Education; Education; Higher Education

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership Studies, Xavier University, 2020, Leadership Studies and Human Resource Development

The College Credit Plus (CCP) program, adopted and implemented by the state of Ohio in the 2015-2016 school year, presents some unique opportunities for examining the impact of accelerated college credit on preparing students for success in college. This study attempts to examine three of these unique features to examine the relationship that the CCP program might have on its participants' success in college, measured by first year GPA upon matriculation at a university. Correlational analysis was first applied to examine any relationships that might exist among the dependent and independent variables. The number of credit hours a student completed through CCP demonstrated a positive significant relationship with first year GPA, while the type of course work (General Education and Career Pathway) demonstrated a positive significant relationship but no significance was found between the two types of courses according to a Fisher's Z-Test. The researcher wanted to examine the number of years spent taking CCP courses to see if the amount of exposure of time to these types of courses demonstrated any relationship, but the data could not be determined to examine that relationship.

Committee: Gail F. Latta Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Dave Tobergte Ed.D. (Committee Member); Shirley Curtis Ed.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Education Policy; Higher Education; Secondary Education; Vocational Education

PHD, Kent State University, 2022, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration

In 2009, President Barack Obama challenged U.S. citizens to complete more schooling and earn a college degree. His goal was to increase the proportion of the population with a college credential and the United States' associated rank in the world from 12th to first by 2020 (Field, 2015; Obama, 2009). In response to this challenge, several governors and nonprofit organizations undertook various initiatives to help increase the nation's college completion rate. However, many of these programs focused on administrative changes instead of students' readiness for or access to college (Humphreys, 2012). One approach aimed at increasing completion rates while expanding access, is dual enrollment, which allows high school students to take college-level classes in tandem with their high school coursework. Of particular interest is Ohio's dual enrollment program, originally called Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), which was expanded and renamed College Credit Plus (CCP) in 2015 (Ohio Department of Education, 2009; Ohio Department of Higher Education, 2015a). The goals of CCP are to increase college access and completion rates for students in Ohio (Farkas, 2014; Ohio Department of Higher Education, 2015a, 2018a). The purpose of this study was to evaluate CCP in relation to these goals. If these goals were met, the results would show an increase in the number of underserved students enrolling in higher education and persisting to graduation. Using existing data from the state of Ohio this study concluded that CCP has not consistently improved access or college completions for the underserved students in the state.

Committee: Christa Porter (Committee Chair); Jason Schenker (Committee Member); Mark Kretovics (Committee Member) Subjects: Higher Education

Doctor of Education, Ashland University, 2020, College of Education

This qualitative dissertation investigated issues affecting the dual enrollment participation rate of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, racial minority groups, and potential first-generation college-goers. Through semi-structured interviews, eight high school seniors, from underrepresented groups, shared their knowledge of Ohio's dual enrollment program, College Credit Plus. Culturally relevant teaching and culturally responsive leadership theory served as the framework to address the research questions: (a) Why are students of color, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and potential first-generation college-goers participating in dual enrollment programs at a lower percentage rate than peers not from one of these groups? and (b) What strategies might local school districts, colleges, and universities employ to increase the participation of students who are underrepresented in dual enrollment? Study findings related to lower participation rates include insufficiencies in student knowledge, understanding, and encouragement or support; program qualifications; and access issues. Increasing dual enrollment participation of underrepresented students requires students taking ownership or responsibility for their learning and taking advantage of opportunities presented to them. In addition, school districts, colleges, and universities should develop strategies to provide personal communication and encouragement to reach these underserved groups.

Committee: Judy Alston Ph. D. (Committee Chair); James Olive-Liebhart Ph. D. (Committee Member); Tanzeah Sharpe Ed. D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Educational Leadership; Higher Education; Secondary Education

Doctor of Education, Ashland University, 2024, College of Education

This dissertation investigates the factors influencing the matriculation trends of former College Credit Plus (CCP) participants to host institutions in Ohio, utilizing Perna's (2006) College Choice Model as a framework. The study examines variables such as course modality, geographical proximity to the host institution, course load, and grade point average, utilizing three postsecondary institutions: a private 4-year, a public 4-year, and a 2-year community college. High school cohorts from the past three graduating years (2021-2023) were analyzed to provide current insights into dual enrollment trends. Significant associations were found between matriculation and variables of course modality, course load, and proximity. The study's limitations include a restricted sample size, exclusion of homeschooled and online high school students, and a focus on a limited set of variables. Future research should explore additional qualitative and quantitative factors influencing dual enrollment students' college choices, including socioeconomic status, parental education levels, and institutional characteristics.

Committee: Peter Ghazarian Dr. (Advisor) Subjects: Education; Higher Education; Higher Education Administration

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), University of Findlay, 2024, Education

Statement of the Problem: Despite growing participation in dual enrollment programs, little is known about the decision-making process high-school students use when selecting courses, especially in STEM. Existing literature lacks insight into the factors motivating students to choose dual enrollment courses and how these align with their interests and future aspirations (Fink, 2021; Jenkins & Fink, 2020; Marken et al., 2013; Taie & Lewis, 2020). Purpose of the Study: This study aims to address the gap in existing literature by examining the motivations and aspirations of College Credit Plus (CCP) students enrolled in an environmental science course, with the goal of providing actionable strategies for fostering their postsecondary aspirations and educational outcomes. Methodology: Through a mixed-methods approach involving AIR Self-Determination Scale and demographic quantitative surveys and qualitative focus group interviews, this research draws upon the experiences of ten CCP and four non-CCP students enrolled in an environmental science course taught by a university instructor at their high school. Findings: The findings reveal that CCP students perceive their coursework as a strategic pathway to early exposure to college-level academics, significantly enhancing their future educational and career prospects. Moreover, analysis highlights that CCP students exhibit a heightened level of self-determination and a forward-looking perspective compared to their non-CCP counterparts. This underscores the crucial role of nurturing students' autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as emphasized by self-determination theory. Building upon on the framework, the study reveals how CCP students approach dual enrollment courses with a future-oriented mindset, recognizing them as instrumental tools to realize their long-term educational and career aspirations. Their engagement reflects integrated regulation, seamlessly aligning with their identity and broader objectives, showc (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Christine Denecker Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Amanda Ochsner Ph.D. (Committee Member); Gregory Timberlake Psy.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Education Policy; Environmental Science

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2023, Educational Administration

This was a mixed method, Action Research study addressing the foundational research question: What can Education Forward Academy (EFA) (pseudonym) do to improve equity in the College Credit Plus (CCP) Program? To answer this question, both quantitative and qualitative sub-questions were explored. The case study school, EFA, is an urban charter school in the Midwest with approximately 2,000 students who primarily self-identify as Black. After data analysis, seven thematic action plans were created, including 1. Organization and Community Interaction 2. Socio-Emotional 3. Logistical 4. Academic 5. Relevance and Practicality 6. Faculty 7. Personal Action Plan with Scholarly Reflection. Although the action plans are separated for ease of use, some interweaving and overlap of plans is inherent.

Committee: Dr. James Olive (Committee Chair); Dr. Kelly Hogan (Committee Member); Dr. Elizabeth Essex (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Education Policy; Educational Evaluation; Educational Leadership

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), University of Dayton, 2022, Educational Leadership

This study used a survey conducted from September 2021 November 2021 to examine the perceptions of College Credit Plus (CCP) educator credentialing for college in high school programs known as dual enrollment. Over 400 responses were received representing educators from southwest Ohio. Respondents spanned roles in public schools of superintendent, principal, high school teacher, and school counselor. The findings showed that educators generally agreed on knowing the requirements for educators to become qualified to teach College Credit Plus courses at the high school location. The respondents with the most knowledge of CCP credentialing requirement were superintendents, school counselors, and educators with higher levels of education were more aware of credentialing requirements. The findings also revealed that educators generally agree with the perceived barriers to meeting the qualifications to meet the faculty credentialing requirements. The perceived barriers of financial and time costs of obtaining graduate coursework were the biggest barriers to meeting the CCP credentialing requirements for respondents who work in districts classified as an urban setting and with 16-20 years of experience. Recommendations for removing barriers to meet CCP educator credentialing requirements were made in the conclusions.

Committee: Thomas Lasley II (Committee Chair); Pamela Cross Young (Committee Member); Kathryn Kinnucan-Welsch (Committee Member); Richard Stock (Committee Member) Subjects: Higher Education; Secondary Education

Doctor of Education, University of Toledo, 2021, Higher Education

The study employed a survey design methodology utilizing quantitative methods of data collection and analysis to investigate the impact of various environmental factors including course format, type of institution, academic support, and level of engagement with CCP on Ohio's College Credit Plus (CCP) students' academic self-efficacy and academic achievement after controlling for student characteristics and level of engagement with CCP. The study aimed to address the limited research on Ohio's dual enrollment program (Harper, 2015; Wilson, 2016) as well as the limited research on the way dual enrollment opportunities affect students' academic achievement and self-efficacy (An, 2013; Giani et al., 2014). Astin's theory of student involvement and Bandura's self-efficacy theory were used as frameworks. The study's survey instrument for this study captured the students' input characteristics (demographics and prior engagement with CCP), the College Credit Plus environment (course format, type of institution where the course was taken, and academic support), and the students' outcomes (academic achievement, and academic self-efficacy). The findings of the current study suggest that involvement in dual enrollment courses is associated with academic achievement, but different characteristics of the programs (e.g., format, type of institution) may not affect academic achievement. I discovered that academic support is associated with greater self-efficacy among students in dual enrollment programs. Findings of the current study have the potential to inform policies and practices for dual enrollment programs.

Committee: Snejana Slantcheva-Durst (Committee Chair); Bob Haas (Committee Member); Sunday Griffith (Committee Member); Debra Brace (Committee Member) Subjects: Adult Education; Community College Education; Education; Education Philosophy; Health Education

Doctor of Education, Miami University, 2019, Educational Leadership

This qualitative case study seeks to understand why some African American students tend not to participate in dual enrollment programs at rates similar to their White counterparts and, therefore, may not be sharing the same benefits and outcomes. Through open-ended interviews with nine African American students, issues related to the low participation rates of African American students in Ohio's dual enrollment program, College Credit Plus (CCP), are explored. Approaching this case study from a critical race theory (CRT) framework allows the voices and experiences of students of color to serve as reliable data upon which to evaluate this phenomenon. Three major themes emerged from this study: implicit biases among counselors and teachers, lack of care and support of educational goals and dreams, and lack of social capital to obtain knowledge about the CCP program. The results of this qualitative study expand the conversation about dual enrollment to include the voices of marginalized students. The study provides evidence that a different approach is needed in how we identify, support, and enroll African American students into the CCP program. This study provides practical ways to increase the access and enrollment of African American students into the CCP program.

Committee: Lucian Szlizewski (Advisor); Kate Rousmaniere (Committee Co-Chair); Gwen Etter-Lewis (Committee Member) Subjects: African Americans; Education; Higher Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2016, Higher Education (Education)

In an effort to broaden access, meet burgeoning workforce needs, and reduce the cost of postsecondary attainment, Ohio has implemented policy to provide college credit options to high school students. The purpose of this research study was to develop a descriptive first-year profile of the implementation of Ohio's College Credit Plus policy for two central Ohio high schools. This policy implementation analysis employed a multi-pronged approach using case study and policy implementation evaluation framework. Document review and administrative interviews provided the primary data sources. Several overarching themes surfaced. Confusion regarding the regulations exacerbated inconsistent application and compliance across institutions. No explicit process is defined for assessing or reporting on compliance. Additional inconsistency is evident in program offerings based on district cultures, location, and size. Course offerings differ in number, quality, delivery, and subject orientation. Additionally, while program reporting is not yet required or available, preliminary enrollment information from the two case study sites indicates potential continuation of historic trends of limited minority participation. The funding model requires the district to cover tuition and material in an environment where public educational funding has eroded. K-12 administrators expressed concerns regarding the financial sustainability of the program. While some critical barriers to access have been removed, student support systems and counseling services have not been increased to assist those students that may need guidance in understanding alternative program offerings, risks and benefits, and designing an appropriate academic plan. Finally, secondary and postsecondary institutional objectives and organizational structures generate conflict in establishing and managing dual enrollment course offerings. These conflicts surface in teacher-faculty interactions, academi (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Lijing Yang (Committee Chair); Valerie Conley (Committee Member); Laura Harrison (Committee Member); Sara Helfrich (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Education Policy; Higher Education