1.1

The Survey Process

As is noted in more detail in §1.4, the cohort considered in this survey consists of students enrolled for the first time in ABE / College Prep at the 16 institutions.

Three survey instruments were designed in the pilot study and were modified and extended for use in this project. They are:

Point of Entry Survey - This was given in the first two weeks of September 1995 to collect demographic, background, then current course and goal information. To be part of the cohort a student had to have filled in a Point of Entry survey.

Midpoint Survey - This was a telephone interview survey conducted in mid-February of 1996. The respondents were asked questions about their programs, their opinions of the course content, personal difficulties, and the educational activities at their institution, and skills improved or increased by the program. As well, those no longer in the program were asked to supply information on their reasons for leaving, attendance, student services and their subsequent employment and educational status and plans.

Follow-up Survey - This was also a telephone interview survey and was administered in October of 1996, approximately thirteen months after entry into the program. The students were asked about their ABE program duration, their course completion, their current activities and their achievements from the program. Information was also requested concerning their current and future employment and education.

Copies of the surveys as used are contained in the Survey Instruments Appendix (§6.4) and the survey responses are to be found in the C Project Data Appendix (§6.5).

1.2

Students and participating institutions

Sixteen institutions, with an average of 160 students per institution, completed Point of Entry surveys, giving a total of 2562 students in this C cohort.