The Influence of a Freshman Orientation Course on the Academic Performance and Retention of New Community College Students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a freshman orientation course on the academic performance and retention of new community college students. The study was designed to obtain both qualitative and quantitative data. A survey was distributed to students who attended Coral College (a pseudonym), California, from the fall of 1996 through the fall of 1999, completed Guidance 10, and scored no higher than a level one or level two on two out of three of the assessment tests. Survey data was used to frame interview questions for the qualitative part of the study. Twelve students who completed Guidance 10 and returned a survey were interviewed. The survey consisted of fourteen questions, chosen to determine the effectiveness of Guidance 10. The three research questions the author posed were: (1) What are the influences of a freshman orientation course on the academic performance of new community college students? (2) What are the influences of a freshman orientation course on the retention of new community college students? and (3) What is the relationship between the objectives of the course and student outcomes such as GPA and retention? The author found that the course did not impact GPA, but did influence retention. Research instrument appended. (Contains 67 references.) (NB)