GRADUATES OF AN EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL: PERCEPTIONS OF COLLEGE READINESS

Abstract

This study used Q Methodology to identify and examine the Early College High School graduates’ perceptions of college readiness after completing year one of college. The data acquired was obtained from 34 former graduates of an early college high school located in the southeastern part of the United States. The study generated five unique claims or perspectives on the specific success factors endemic to the early college institution as perceived by graduates of the ECHS. The perceptions revealed that the participants view the success factors as a critical and needed support structure for students during their transition into the post-secondary academic environment. The findings discussed have the potential to further reinforce the emerging body of research on successful educational outcomes for ECHS students and to impact the theoretical and practical considerations of the ECHS as an alternative to the traditional high school model. This study seeks to contribute to the limited body of research that highlights the ECHS student’s point of view concerning college readiness and the ECHS experience. Finally, empirical findings allow for a new analysis of the current literature and research.