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An Egalitarian Honors Program
Dissertation   Open access

An Egalitarian Honors Program

Barbara Ferguson McMillan
University of West Florida Libraries
Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida
2008

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Abstract

This qualitative research study examined the lived experiences of students at a community college that has implemented an open-enrollment honors program. I surveyed high achievers who opted not to participate as well as a variety of students who had enrolled so that I could explore issues of self-efficacy in students' enrollment decisions. In addition, to understand the meaning of the program to its participants I conducted two in-depth interviews with program participants, facilitated a focus group with honors graduates, and recorded direct observations of the program in its first two years of operation. The narratives and other data generated during this study suggest that students enjoy the program and believe it is beneficial to them, which may increase engagement. In addition, it seems that because many students have not defined themselves as capable of success in an honors program, they may lack the self-efficacy required for voluntary enrollment. Their comments imply that individual encouragement from an instructor who provides accurate information about the "no-risk aspects of the program increases the likelihood that a student will participate.
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