Abstract:

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. 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 student 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 is explored. This session is based on best practices for developing college readiness in adolescents and the parents who support them (Pittman & Richmond, 2007; Watt, Powell, Mediola & Cossi, 2006). Brofrenbrenner's Ecological Theory explains immediate contextual factors that may influence a young person's development in college readiness. Factors that contribute to the young person's perceptions of their ability to attend college include: academic achievement, motivation, family finances, parental support, access to information on the college process, and career interests. Bandura's self-efficacy theory explained the mechanisms in place that help increase an adolescent's perceptions of their abilities and opportunities for future success.

Keywords:

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