MOTIVATIONAL SELF-REPORTS OF ACADEMICALLY UNDERPREPARED COMMUNITY JUNIOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

The problem of this study was fourfold: (1) Since it is
generally concluded that underprepared students have had an unsatisfactory
prior school experience, why do many continue their education
in the community junior college? (2) Do underprepared students
enroll in the community junior college to gain job skills related
to employment opportunities or job satisfaction? (3) Is there any
difference between the aspirations of the underprepared student
and the evaluations of the teachers-counselors and counselors in
the community colleges' programs designed for underprepared students?
(4) Is there any difference between the aspirations of
underprepared community college students and the evaluations of
their motivations by selected secondary guidance counselors? The findings were: (1) The students' previous experiences
in education were reported as very satisfactory. Their reports
of previous schooling were pleasant, they reported that their
previous teachers liked and understood them, and they reported
they could be highly superior or above average students. (2) The
students planned to learn things that would be useful in their
future work; and they planned to prepare themselves for an employment
goal which pays well and that they would enjoy doing.
(3) The students reported less motivation for achieving career
education goals than the college teachers-counselors estimated.
(4) The students reported less motivation for acquiring career
education goals than the secondary level guidance counselors
estimated they would.