Measuring Noncognitive Factors Related to College Student Outcomes: Development and Initial Construct Validation of the Student Strengths Inventory

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Gore ◽  
Wade C. Leuwerke ◽  
A. J. Metz ◽  
Steve Brown ◽  
Alexandra R. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
College Student ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Construct Validation ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Future Research ◽  
College Student Outcomes ◽  
First Year College Students ◽  
The Individual

This study describes the development and initial construct validation of the Student Strengths Inventory (SSI), a brief measure of noncognitive variables previously found to be related to college student outcomes. A sample of 760 first-year college students completed an initial item pool in addition to a lengthier, established noncognitive assessment tool with similar constructs. Results support a 48-item, six-factor measure with the following scales: Academic Self-efficacy, Academic Engagement, Campus Engagement, Resiliency, Social Comfort, and Educational Commitment. The SSI demonstrates good internal consistency reliability and construct validity. Future research is needed to examine the predictive validity of the SSI subscales with respect to academic performance and persistence. Practice implications include providing individualized feedback to students on their noncognitive strengths and weaknesses and helping them set goals for their academic success. Moreover, the results of the SSI can inform interventions at the individual, group, and institutional level.

Moderating role of social support on first-year college student outcomes

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Dickson ◽  
Colleen S. Conley ◽  
Kunal A. Patel ◽  
Daniel Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
College Student ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year College ◽  
College Student Outcomes ◽  
Moderating Role

Effects of Indigenous-focused curriculum on elementary students' engagement and cultural identity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lisa N. Aguilar
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Academic Engagement ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Intervention Phase ◽  
The Impact

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Achievement disparities stratified by race and socioeconomic status persist across all academic disciplines and grade levels in the United States (National Center for Education Statistics, 2010). Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is a direct response to concern over an academic achievement differential and high school dropout rates based on race, socioeconomic class, and level of English language ability (Vavrus, 2008). Several researchers have theorized that student engagement may explain variation in student achievement across ethnic groups (Connell, Spencer, and Aber, 1994; Finn and Rock, 1997; Steele, 1997). In the case of Indigenous students, cultural representation within the curriculum has the potential to engage students with the content. Additionally, there is ample evidence that a strong Indigenous identity can be a source of resilience for Indigenous youth, contributing to their academic success and well-being (Lester, 1999; Walters, Simoni, and Evans-Campbell, 2002; Whitbeck, Hoyt, McMorris, Chen and Stubben, 2001). More research is needed to understand the relationship between culture-specific programs, universal contributors to school success, and Indigenous student outcomes (Powers, 2006). ... Each classroom completed behavior and academic engagement ratings using a multiple baseline design, including baseline and intervention phases. The intervention phase involved teachers providing instruction in the areas of science and social studies using the lessons from the NDNAEU curriculum. The results from the study indicated minimal change in behavior and academic engagement ratings for one classroom. However, the improvements for each classroom during the intervention phase were small, in comparison to baseline. Each classroom displayed small changes in pre-and post-test cognitive and affective scores and small to medium effects on cultural identity. Future research is needed to determine the impact of Indigenous-focused curricula on student outcomes. Implications for research and practice, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

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