Abstract
When considering student academic achievement, significant changes must occur in how we teach African American, Asian, Latino, and Native American students (American Psychological Association, 2022) because all students are not achieving educational success equally. A Strada survey reported that half of all Latinx students surveyed and 42% of Black students canceled or altered their educational plans due to the pandemic, compared to 26% of non-Hispanic white students (Mintz, 2021). This data supports the need to evolve culturally responsive outreach on the postsecondary level. To respond to the recent decline in retention and completion rates for African American Educators in the Master of Science for Curriculum and Instruction (MSCIN) at Western Governors University (WGU), this study will closely review current equity outreach practices of the MSCIN program to support the development of increased attainment for African American students. Preliminary data shows a 10.9% retention and completion rate difference between African Americans and others at WGU. The study considers why African American students do not complete the MSCIN program compared to their counterparts. The research seeks to answer: • How do African American students perceive university and program equity outreach strategies? • What effect do current outreach strategies have on African American student enrollment and completion in the MSCIN program? • How does MSCIN Instructor outreach impact African American student enrollment and completion? The study integrates transformative adult learning theory (sometimes called transformational learning) combined with the Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate (ADDIE) Model and the constructivism-learning concept.
Presenters
Michelle Mc CainEquity Research Fellow, Advanced Analytics, Western Governors University, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
African American, Student Outreach, Culturally Responsive Outreach, Minority, Retention
