Abstract:

The research presentation focuses on the study of the effects of the Connect to Success Academy on high school students' achievement motivation and career decision self-efficacy. Differences between male and female students were explored as well as predictors that may explain achievement motivation and career decision self-efficacy for high school students. Bandura's Self-efficacy theory and Bronfenbrenner's Bio-ecological Systems Theory were incorporated to better understand adolescent motivation and self-efficacy as it relates to the Connect to Success pre-college intervention program. Suggestions and future considerations on how to create such a program are explored.

This North Texas innovative college readiness program for high school students and their parents is explored. The effects this extracurricular program may have on career decision self-efficacy and a student's motivation to achieve are presented alongside suggestions for the creation of new programs in helping young people in their efforts for college.

Keywords:

Adolescents, college readiness, self-efficacy, achievement motivation.