An investigation into the effects of selected factors on student success in the business education and heavy equipment operation programs at the Bay St. George Community College

• Main Author: Kendall, Riley James
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1984
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/8558/; https://research.library.mun.ca/8558/1/Kendall_RileyJames.pdf

The aim of this study was to determine what effects selected factors had oh the successful performance of students in Business Education and Heavy Equipment Operation programs at the Bay St. George Community College in Stephenville, Newfoundland. The primary question to be investigated was-whether the route by which students obtained their entry requirements was significant or not. -- The three groups of students in question where those who came: (1) direct from public school, (2) through Basic Training for Skill Development (BTSD) without Basic Literacy, and (3) through BTSD with Basic Literacy. Students in the Heavy Equipment Operation program came through all three routes whereas students in Business Education came through routes one and two only. The overall performances of these three groups were compared, using four selected factors: route of entry, age, prior experience, and accommodations. -- The information for this study was extracted from the student files at the Bay St. George Community College. The sample was based on the,11-year period from 1973 to 1983. A standardized method of calculating performance scores was devised to ensure that a uniform system of recording data was used for both programs. -- In the data analyses each factor was tested against overall performance of the students in each of the programs. A significant relationship was found between route of entry and student performance in Heavy Equipment Operation but all other analyses indicated insignificant relationships. However, in Business Education the experience factor, although not related significantly to performance, indicated that a weak relationship may exist between lack of experience and low performance.