Life change and reading achievement as predictors of academic performance for selected community college freshmen

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of life change and reading achievement to academic performance for selected community college freshman, Life change was measured by the Social and Collegiate Readjustment Rating Questionnaire (SCRRQ). Reading achievement was measured by the Nelson-Denny Reading test (NDRT). Academic performance had six indices: grade point average (fall, spring, and composite), course hour loads (fall and spring), and selected attitudes relevant to academic, personal, social, and career life. Attitudes were assessed by an Attitude Survey which was designed, field tested, validated, and found reliable. This study was conducted at a two-year comprehensive community college in Northwest Texas. Incoming freshman were administered the NDRT at orientation. Near the conclusion of their first academic year (1974-1975), these freshmen were mailed a questionnaire packet. The packet contained a cover letter, demographic data inventory, Attitude Survey, and SCRRQ. Respondents became the subject of this study. Each was classified into one of two life change groups (high or low) according to the magnitude of life change unit accumulation and into one of three reading achievement groups (high, moderate, or low) according to a composite vocabulary and comprehension score. Each of the six groups was analyzed for its relation to grade point averages, course hour loads, and selected attitude factors. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis to determine measures of central tendency and variability. The data were then exposed to a two-by-three factorial analysis of variance to determine significant differences in the six groups on the variables in question. Data from the two life change groups and the three reading achievement groups underwent multivariate analysis to distinguish significant item differentiation on the Attitude Survey. In a supplemental study, an intercorrelation analysis was executed on selected variables..