A Systematic Review on Methods to Improve Transfer Rates of African American Male Student-Athletes in California Community Colleges

by

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION1

Problem Statement1

Statement of Purpose7

Background and Context8

Theoretical Base14

Research Questions17

Definition of Terms18

Significance of Study20

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW22

African American Men22

African American Male student athletes22

Effective retention and transfer models for academic success for African American male student athletes32

Theoretical Framework42

CHAPTER THREE: CONCEPTUAL MODEL48

Cultural Factors50

Learning Environment53

Financial Factors55

Support Systems56

Transition Readiness57

Stressors50

Conclusion58

CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY60

Research Strategy for Systematic Literature Review60

Qualitative Review61

Quantitative Review67

Systematic Review69

REFERENCES72

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

A student-athlete is a commonly used term on many college campuses, to describe the commitment of being both a scholar and an athlete. A challenge faced by many student-athletes is how to navigate their athletic commitments with academic resilience. It can be a very delicate balancing act for student-athletes based upon the time demands that it takes to compete at the highest level of competition, while also trying to maintain their grades in the classroom. Involvement in athletics has always been an opportunity to unite the student body, the community and provides them a form of expression so that they can express themselves. Athletics provides many life lessons that have a strong carry over into the work place such as leadership, teamwork, self-discipline and communication. Athletics serves as a conduit for many college students who may have not been able to afford, gained access or thought that college was possible

Problem Statement

The academic skills of student-athletes and the number who fail to demonstrate scholastic achievement have generated concern at the national, state, and local levels (Gerdy, 2002). Graduation rates among student-athletes in American higher education are low (Emma, 2008; Hyatt, 2003; Mangold, Bean, & Adams, 2003). This concern over poor academic achievement among athletes has been ongoing for decades. Purdy, Eitzen, and Hufnagel (1982) studied more than 2,000 athletes over 10 years at a major western university and found that athletes were less prepared for college and achieved at low rates academically in college than the general student population. Above all, Purdy et al. determined that African Americans in the major revenue-producing sports of football and basketball had the poorest academic potential and performance.

Achievement Gap for African American Males in Higher Education

In 2010, the American Council on Education (ACE) released its Annual Status Report on “Minorities in Higher Education.” Trends showed that when it comes to African American males on college campuses the population is not only declining but African Americans have the lowest graduation rate of any student group population (EURweb.com). Of all African American males who enter college, only 35 percent will graduate within six years. This compares to the 61-63 percent of white males, 46 percent of Hispanic men and 45 percent for African American females who entered college and graduated within a six -year time frame (EURweb.com).

The rate of college course completion by African American male students is the lowest in terms of both gender and ethnicity: 67.7 percent of African American male students who enroll in higher education institutions do not graduate within the established time limit (Harper, ...