Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this quantitative study was to relate the Summer Melt rates of students accepted to colleges and universities who participate in high school AVID programs to the Summer Melt rates of students accepted to colleges and universities who do not participate in AVID. The study also looked at the same data for first-generation college-attending students who met the aforementioned criteria. Methodology. This quantitative study uses "factual information" and includes the collection of high school student data from 3 national AVID demonstration high schools in Southern California. Senior exit survey data were collected from each student indicating plans after high school and demographic data regarding socioeconomic status and first generation to attend college. In addition, data were extracted from the National Student Clearinghouse student tracker report indicating student enrollment status. Findings. Examination of the data reveals a strong correlation between students who participate in AVID compared to students who do not participate in AVID regarding Summer Melt. Data indicated that AVID students had significantly lower Summer Melt. Data also indicated there was little correlation with socioeconomic status and Summer Melt however, there was a greater correlation with an increase in students who were the first generation to attend college who experienced Summer Melt. Conclusions. Schools must address the high numbers of college-eligible graduating seniors who have intentions to attend the college or university system but fail to show up. One way to help mitigate these high numbers is to offer AVID or other college-readiness programs in their schools. Recommendations. Further research into this area is advised including replications of this study with schools not holding the AVID National Demonstration distinction and schools with varying demographics and student populations. In addition, a longitudinal study of the 3 Riverside County high schools and a continuance of future studies identifying the root cause of Summer Melt is advised.