A qualitative study of nontraditional African American female studentsu27 perceptions of the factors that contribute to their high attrition rate in a metropolitan Atlanta two-year college.

摘要

This study examined 10 nontraditional women at a small two-year institution. The study illuminated the challenges that these women faced as they matriculated and explored personal, professional, academic, institutional, financial resource, peer relationship, and professor relationship factors that they perceive could and has affected their attrition rates. The findings emerged from a host of dominant themes that were generalized at the inception of the study. The participants mostly provided a clear understanding of their perceptions relative to the themes. Therefore, the participantsu27 responses provide an understanding of the relationships that the themes do or do not have to the participantsu27 contribution to the studied institutionu27s attrition rates. 1 The implications drew upon the research to bring forth a cause and effect understanding of the findings that if heeded could assist in decreasing the attrition rates for African-American female students. The recommendations were brought forth in an effort to provide a guiding post for future practices, policies, and research relative to understanding and adhering to the needs of nontraditional African-American female students.