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University professors’ and department directors’ perceptions regarding support for freshman academic performance
Abstract:
Worldwide a significant number of higher education students enrolled in colleges do not graduate, negatively impacting their families’ economic situations as well as national development. The purpose of this qualitative bounded case study was to gain a deeper understanding of the perceptions held by math, English, and general education professors regarding the support provided to freshman students in a program at 1 campus of a private Chilean university. Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory emphasizing internal and external motivations comprised the conceptual framework. A purposeful homogeneous sampling was used to identify the participants. Data collection involved semistructured interviews and member checks to triangulate the data. The findings revealed that interviewed participants perceive they might support freshmen students improving their academic performance, raising student passing and graduation rates and positively impacting national development.
Keywords:
Academic Performance, Freshman students, Higher education, Perceptions of professors, Remedial Courses or Programs, Support