THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OCCUPATIONAL-TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS: ASSESSING STUDENT CAREER GOALS |
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| Authors: | Elizabeth M Lohman Michael R Dingerson |
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| Institution: | 1. Tidewater Community College Portsmouth , Virginia, USA elohman@tcc.edu;3. Old Dominion University Norfolk , Virginia, USA |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT A traditional way of assessing program effectiveness of academic programs has been by determining the percentage of students who complete programs and receive degrees or some other acknowledgment of completion. This method of assessment is particularly problematic for community colleges because only 4% of students who enroll in occupational-technical certificate programs do so with the intention of earning a certificate. These circumstances pose significant problems for certificate institutions as well as for those in coordinating/governing units at various levels who must assure that these programs are meeting the goals of the students and institutions in addition to the needs of a region or state. The purpose of this study was to investigate an alternative way of evaluating the effectiveness of occupational-technical programs to determine if they are meeting the goals of the students and institution by providing students with entry-level skills into the workforce or the ability to advance in their careers. Data were collected from the institution and from noncompleters in occupational-technical certificate programs at an urban community college. The study investigated when students choose to drop out and why. It concluded that these students are very pragmatic in terms of their education and that they enroll for specific reasons and drop out when they achieve their goals. This study not only confirmed that students meet their career goals, but also that the institution meets its goals as well since it is successful in preparing students for the workforce or in advancing them in existing jobs. |
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