The influence of career preparation courses on student achievement as reported by high school records at MacArthur High School in North East Independent School District, San Antonio, Texas

Abstract

This study examined the influence of career preparation courses on student achievement at MacArthur High School, San Antonio, Texas. MacArthur is the only high school in the district to use the 6.5 scaled registrar’s grade point average (RPA) system, as opposed to the standard 4.0 scaled grade point average. Final computations were converted to the standard 4.0 scale for uniformity. The intent of the study was to determine if there was a relationship between enrollment in career preparation courses and grade point averages, absenteeism, and dropout rates. Moreover, the study sought to determine the relationship between students enrolled in career preparation courses and students not enrolled within these three areas of investigation. Data were collected from the student records of the population of the study, which consisted of 532 students, and was used in conjunction with descriptive and co-relational statistics, including ANOVAS and Scheffes. The results of this study support that career preparation students in the study possessed a higher grade point average. Additionally, this study supported the literature review regarding career preparation student absenteeism and dropout rates. The career preparation students spend more time at school, which enhances their propensity for learning. The study also compared career preparation students to students not enrolled in career preparation courses by grade point average at MacArthur High School. The results of this portion of the study showed that the non-career preparation students, the health occupation students, as well as the trade and industry students, all possess a higher grade point average than do the business and marketing students. This is attributable for the most part to skill sets needed for scientific definitions, higher math skills, and enhanced scientific knowledge. Further study should be done to ascertain the extent of individual factors in determining success in other district high schools.