Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Mary Lynn Vogel

Committee Member

Richard Snyder

Committee Member

Mary Ann Lowe

Keywords

Disadvantaged Youth, Dropout Prevention, Job Training, Labor Turnover, Persistence

Abstract

This applied dissertation addressed the high early dropout rates from a job training and education program called Youth Corps by evaluating the organizational-entry processes. A mixed-method approach incorporated a survey of all current Corpsmembers, interviews of Corpsmembers who had successfully passed the crucial 3-month mark, and focus groups with all education and work staff.

Based on an organizational-socialization content instrument, the survey showed strong correlations between persistence and role satisfaction and social and interpersonal resources dimensions. In other words, those with relationships within the Corps were more likely to stay and be satisfied in their role. Organizational socialization appears to be predictive of Corpsmember persistence. Similarly, Corpsmembers acknowledged in interviews the critical role that staff members play in providing support, advice, and encouragement. Corpsmembers particularly struggled with the unexpected physical demands of hard work and sustained efforts, as well as requirements for attention, planning, and initiative.

Staff members worked to offset (a) lack of support at home and in the community; (b) basic food, clothing, and shelter issues; and (c) lack of access to health care and transportation. Corps staff members also underscored the importance of character for persistence. Staff members looked for Corpsmembers who were respectful, responsive, and motivated to change. Staff members generated a significant list of programmatic offerings that might encourage persistence.

The dissertation concluded with a comparison of current and best-practice processes, standards, and expected outcomes in the Corps’ organizational-entry processes. The gaps between the current and best practices, recommendations to address the gaps, a difficulty to-implement-the-recommendation rating, and a potential-impact-of-the-recommendation rating are detailed.

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