This dissertation examines the impacts of a last-dollar promise program on high school-to-college enrollments at a very large community college (VLCC) district in Texas. The research intends to add to the current literature on the growing popularity of promise programs at two-year community colleges. Specifically, this quantitative study examines…

This article focuses on first-year university students' understanding of concepts related to third-degree polynomial and trigonometric functions that they encountered during their study of Grade 12 mathematics. In this study three online questions from two first-year mathematics quizzes at the University of KwaZulu-Natal were analysed. The first…

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were adopted by most states in the United States to improve academic rigor, which in turn is believed to better prepare graduating high school students for college and careers. Yet, it is not as well understood whether CCSS Initiative-aligned instruction potentially better prepares all students, thereby availing…

Despite many theories on student success as well as many resources to help students make the transition from high school to college, many students do not persist in or graduate from college. The purpose of this dissertation is to provide insight into what takes place when students leave P-12 institutions and enter institutions of higher education…

The transition from high school to university often amounts to a muddled process, making it both an exciting and challenging time for many undergraduate students. Integrating both academically and socially is key in this respect. Social support from peers and teaching staff, but also from family and friends, can have a decisive impact. A learning…

First-year students encounter a plethora of challenges upon entering university. However, little is known about how they adjust and work through these challenges during the transition phase. This study investigates the relationships among transitional challenges, well-being, help-seeking, and students' adjustments to the university by combining…

The transition into higher education is a challenging process for many students. Students are often underprepared academically (amongst other aspects). This under-preparedness influences students' subsequent academic performance, and ultimately, overall student success. Research has shown that successful student transition into higher education…

Academic and social deficits, a nine-month secondary school-to-university learning loss, a readiness gap for university-level coursework, and limited cultural capital characterize the transition to university for Botswana's secondary school completers seeking a STEM qualification. This study investigated internationally implemented developmental…

In the United States high school students may take college level courses that count for credit in both high school and college, often called dual enrollment. Students may take courses at their high school from certified instructors or at a local college. We investigate possible differences between these two groups of students using student level…

The impact of evolving feedback ecology on students' feedback literacy development remains underexplored. This study examined the effects of transitioning from secondary to higher education on students' conceptions and practices of feedback literacy. The research involved 35 first-year associate's degree students from various disciplines at a Hong…

There is a worldwide trend to include engineering design in high school curricula as a bridge course to higher-level STEM education and to increase high school students' interest in STEM fields. This study used a battlebot design curriculum to compare engineering design learning between high school and college first-year students and then proposed…

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which first-year college students' perceptions of their high school physical education experiences have influenced their current levels of physical activity and enjoyment of physical activity. This study provided information on the activities included in high school physical education…

Digital competences are widely regarded as the key competences as defined by various international organizations, such as the European Commission (2018) and the OECD (2022). Given their paramount importance across all facets of contemporary society, a thorough examination of their developmental aspects becomes imperative. The study was conducted…

Students enter university programs with the hope of passing courses and eventually graduating with a degree. However, many students experience challenges transitioning into their program and the first year. Some of these challenges may be influenced by their pre-collegiate experiences, as certain students come from under-resourced communities…

Achieving a higher education remains a significant goal in the lives of young people. For many high school juniors and seniors, attending a college or university to continue their studies is seen as an inevitable step into adulthood. However, the high school to college transition can come with a plethora of challenges, and first-generation…