Dropouts' perceptions of deterrents to course completion in an on‐site GED program

Abstract

This study examined perceptions of deterrents to completion of an on‐site high school completion program among dropouts, with particular focus on their status as dropouts and isolates and on their gender. Thirty‐seven food processing workers who had dropped out of the program participated in the study. Quantitative methods were used in the analyses. By examining Likert‐type responses from a questionnaire designed for the study, it was found that for the entire sample of dropouts, time constraints was the highest‐rated factor (M = 2.20) F(4, 180) = 3.44, p <.01. Comparisons of responses from clique members and isolates showed that clique members were more affected by time constraints (M = 2.70) than their isolated counterparts were (M = 1.99) t(35) = 2.457, p < .02. Between‐group comparisons were made with respect to gender because males had a higher dropout rate than females. Males rated the low personal priority factor (M = 2.20) higher than females (M = 1.23), t(37) = −4.22, p <.01. The article concludes with suggestions on ways to lessen the deterrents.