Native Students in a Community College: Perceptions of Upgrading and Career Students

Abstract

A 59-item questionnaire dealing with aspects of self-preparation, campus life, rela­tionships with families, and satisfaction with programs was administered to stu­ dents in three kinds of programs at a community college—upgrading programs, a career program that included an upgrading component, and a career program re­ quiring upgrading before entry. The questionnaire was administered in fall and spring of one academic year and the responses of Native students were compared between programs. The results of grouped and paired t-tests appropriate to the specific comparison, as well as responses to open-ended questionnaire items, indi­ cate somewhat different patterns of changing perception between groups over the course of the program. The study produced a working hypothesis for further study, that programs that combine career programs with upgrading, rather than requiring upgrading before entry, enhance students' self-esteem.