1. Enhancing Academic Success: A Bilingual Freshman Year. AIR 1992 Annual Forum Paper.
- Author
-
Ronco, Sharron
- Abstract
This paper provides an assessment of the Inter-American Science and Humanities Program, a program of the University of Texas, El Paso, which allowed students from northern Mexico to take their freshman level courses in Spanish while receiving instruction designed to rapidly enhance English language skills. The paper assesses the effectiveness of this effort in successfully preparing 886 participants who entered the program between fall 1984 and spring 1991 to move into the regular university curriculum, complete their academic programs, and earn a baccalaureate degree. Outcomes examined included participants' retention and graduation rates, credit hours earned over time, grade point averages at each level, and grades in selected English and bilingual courses. These outcomes were measured against those for a comparison group of international students. As a result of the data analysis and interview, several program weaknesses surfaced. These included the finding that the program was no longer addressing the needs of more recent students compared to when the program was first implemented in 1968, and results which pointed to four main problems: low level of English language proficiency; bilingual courses at cross purposes; lack of a program structure and organization; and inadequate acculturation to the American university. In addition, it was found that overcrowding in the course strained the university's budget and shortchanged students. Recommendations for improvement are suggested. (GLR)
- Published
- 1992