CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN SECONDARY EDUCATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION
Heba Bakr Khoshaim1*, Tasneem Ali2, Ahmed Bakr Khoshaim3
1Assist. Prof. Dr., Prince Sultan University, Saudi Arabia, hkhoshaim@psu.edu.sa
2Assist. Prof. Dr., Prince Sultan University, Saudi Arabia, tali@psu.edu.sa
3Assist. Prof. Dr., Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia, abkhoshaim@uqu.edu.sa
*Corresponding author
Abstract
Challenges facing students when they transit from secondary education to higher education is a well-known international phenomenon. Researchers from all over the world have addressed such difficulties and proposed solutions. Reasons behind the struggle include, but are not limited to, high school curricula, college environment, student’s personality and resistance to change, and economic factors. The Preparatory Year Program (PYP)—a mandatory one-year program for most higher education institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—is one of many trial solutions to close the gap during the transition to the college level. The PYP focusses on improving students’ English language proficiency, mathematical competencies, and personality traits. Yet, being recently introduced, not enough studies have been done to evaluate the success of the PYP program. Is PYP successful in preparing students for the college life? Do students performances in the PYP affect their performances when they move to higher education? What are the limitations of the PYP? These questions and more are yet to be addressed. In this session, the researchers present initial results of a research study that examines the effectiveness of the PYP. Using data from a private university in Saudi Arabia, the correlation between PYP Grade Point Average and college-level courses Grade Point Average has been tested. The sample included 1160 college-level students who completed the PYP before joining any academic program. Results showed that there was significant correlation between PYP and college-level courses. The session will also discuss the limitations of the PYP and the need for future research.
Keywords: Preparatory Year Program, PYP, Higher Education, College Readiness.
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