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A study of the correlates of attrition in the Basic Skills Training (BST) course
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Type
Thesis
Author
Ho, Yoke Sie
Supervisor
Poh, Sui Hoi
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between dropping out from the Basic Skills Training (BST) course and selected correlates of attrition. The correlates of attrition selected for the study were based on a review of literature related to student attrition and an analysis of the reasons for dropping the BST course given by past BST dropouts from Kim Keat Vocational Institute (KKVI). This vocational institute is one of the institutions of the Vocational and Industrial Training Board (VITB).
An ex post facto design was used in this study since the events of staying or dropping out had occurred before the data were collected. The sample consisted of BST stayers and dropouts taken from the 1985 BST population in KKVI. Sixty-four dropouts responded to the study and these dropouts were matched with an equal number of stayers according to sex, ethnic background and age. These trainees were asked to respond to a questionnaire containing items on correlates of attrition grouped under three broad headings : Personal and Family Background, Institutional Factors and Vocational Aspirations.
The trainees taking part in the study were asked to respond to each of the items of the questionnaire by scoring them along a Likert scale. The respondents' scores for each correlate were the sums of the weighted alternatives endorsed by them.
In the analysis of the data, the scores obtained by each respondent for each correlate were classified into high and low scores with respect to the median score for the correlate. These two categories of scores were then analysed using the Chi-square test to establish any significant association between the correlates and dropping out from the BST course. The strength of each correlate of attrition could then be evaluated.
The findings of the study showed that there were no significant associations between personal and family background factors (is socio-economic status, home language, family size, birth order, parents' educational levels, ethnicity and sex) and dropping out from the BST course. Hence, personal and family background factors appeared to have very little influence on a trainee's decision to leave the BST course. On the other hand, there was significant association between the decision to leave the BST course and the institutionally-based correlates (i.e. curriculum relevance, perceived concern of staff, discipline in the institute, extra-curricular activities and social relationship with peers) and vocational aspirations.
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made:
* The progress of trainees' work should be closely monitored to identify problems faced by trainees early in their course.
* The usefulness of vocational training to school leavers in seeking employment should be emphasised.
* Meaningful activities should be organised to enable trainees to interact with each other.
* Teaching staff should be encouraged to show more concern to their trainees.
* Periodic review of the BST curriculum should be carried out to reflect needs of the school leavers and industry.
An ex post facto design was used in this study since the events of staying or dropping out had occurred before the data were collected. The sample consisted of BST stayers and dropouts taken from the 1985 BST population in KKVI. Sixty-four dropouts responded to the study and these dropouts were matched with an equal number of stayers according to sex, ethnic background and age. These trainees were asked to respond to a questionnaire containing items on correlates of attrition grouped under three broad headings : Personal and Family Background, Institutional Factors and Vocational Aspirations.
The trainees taking part in the study were asked to respond to each of the items of the questionnaire by scoring them along a Likert scale. The respondents' scores for each correlate were the sums of the weighted alternatives endorsed by them.
In the analysis of the data, the scores obtained by each respondent for each correlate were classified into high and low scores with respect to the median score for the correlate. These two categories of scores were then analysed using the Chi-square test to establish any significant association between the correlates and dropping out from the BST course. The strength of each correlate of attrition could then be evaluated.
The findings of the study showed that there were no significant associations between personal and family background factors (is socio-economic status, home language, family size, birth order, parents' educational levels, ethnicity and sex) and dropping out from the BST course. Hence, personal and family background factors appeared to have very little influence on a trainee's decision to leave the BST course. On the other hand, there was significant association between the decision to leave the BST course and the institutionally-based correlates (i.e. curriculum relevance, perceived concern of staff, discipline in the institute, extra-curricular activities and social relationship with peers) and vocational aspirations.
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made:
* The progress of trainees' work should be closely monitored to identify problems faced by trainees early in their course.
* The usefulness of vocational training to school leavers in seeking employment should be emphasised.
* Meaningful activities should be organised to enable trainees to interact with each other.
* Teaching staff should be encouraged to show more concern to their trainees.
* Periodic review of the BST curriculum should be carried out to reflect needs of the school leavers and industry.
Date Issued
1986
Call Number
LC145.S5 Ho
Date Submitted
1986