AbstractsEducation Research & Administration

A study of the effects of various characteristics upon enrollee achievement in the Neighborhood Youth Corps program operating in the rural counties of Oregon

by Lanny Sparks




Institution: Oregon State University
Department: Education
Degree: PhD
Year: 1970
Keywords: Neighborhood Youth Corps (U.S.)
Record ID: 1508943
Full text PDF: http://hdl.handle.net/1957/45458


Abstract

Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was (1) to identify the educational and socio-economic characteristics of enrollees in the In-School Neighborhood Youth Corps Program and (2) to determine those educational and socio-economic characteristics that would predict potential achievement in the In-School Neighborhood Youth Corps Program. Procedures A total of 126 enrollees was included in the sample for this study. Each enrollee had been enrolled in the program for at least five months and their achievement rated monthly by the supervisor during their period of enrollment. The amount of achievement accomplished by the enrollee was determined by the difference between the initial and final rating. Socio-economic characteristics of each enrollee were obtained from their application, termination and monthly time report forms. Educational characteristics were obtained from their school records. Classification analyses were performed on the socio-economic and educational characteristics to determine which of those were associated with enrollees showing a significant change in achievement. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify those characteristics contributing most significantly to achievement. Four of the seven characteristics identified by linear regression analyses as contributing most significantly to achievement were employed to construct a prediction equation. Findings 1. The classification analyses identified three variables: (a) Previous work experience. Those enrollees with previous work experience showed a smaller percentage of their group losing significantly in achievement than those rated average or high. (b) Initial recommendation rating. Those enrollees rated low on the initial recommendation rating showed a higher percentage of their group gaining significantly in achievement than those rated average or high. (c) Stated lifetime occupational goal. Enrollees stating an occupational goal showed significant gains in achievement at a rate approximately five times greater than those not stating an occupational goal. 2. The seven variables identified by linear regression analyses were: (a) Age. Younger enrollees showed a greater percentage of their group losing in achievement than older enrollees. (b) Resides with guardian. Enrollees residing with a guardian showed a greater tendency to gain in achievement than those residing with their parent(s). (c) Counseling. There was a larger percentage of enrollees receiving counseling that showed loss in achievement compared to those not receiving counseling. (d) Work assignment. Those enrollees assigned as educational aides, food service aides and library aides showed a tendency to gain in achievement in contrast to other enrollees placed on different work-sites. (e) Initial achievement rating. Those enrollees rated low in achievement initially tended to gain in achievement compared to those rated higher. Those rated higher tended to lose in achievement. 3. An equation was…