| The purpose of this research study was to determine if a program designed for the high school student proved to be a statistically significant motivational factor in the overall outcome affecting student performance.;The literature review supports two crucial arguments as to why it is necessary to concentrate on the high school age group. The initial target centers on motivation and the role it plays in the student learning process. The second perspective determines if the high school medical program motivates students to outperform their peers in the following areas: The degree of knowledge, inquiry base-learning and critical thinking skills specifically to the health sciences. The research questions and hypotheses formulated for the study were statistically supported and the results confirmed that a motivational program has a direct impact and positive influence on student performance.;The methodology utilized for the study consisted of a mixed quantitative--qualitative, longitudinal cohort design. The rational for applying a longitudinal cohort methodology was attributable to the researcher examining, in depth, a motivational program and the collection of detailed information over a sustaining period of 5 years.;The research study compared the academic performance between two groups of students. The data analysis indicated a significant difference in the academia between Group 1, students enrolled in the program (Experimental Group) and Group 2, students not enrolled in the program (Control Group). The academic comparison between both sampling groups of students was based on their performance on the following: High School Placement Test (HSPT), Science Grade Point Average (honors biology, honors chemistry, honors physics, AP biology, AP chemistry, AP physics, and AP environmental science), overall Grade Point Average (GPA), and standardized test (SAT and ACT scores). The supporting statistical data analysis included pairwise comparison (Table 11) which when examined revealed group differences on each of the three dependent measures. Pairwise comparison revealed that the Overall GPA for Experimental group (N = 95, M = 3.77, SD = 0.18), was about .273 times higher in average GPA than the Control group (N = 170, M = 3.50, SD = 0.332) and statistically significant, p < .001 with a large effect size, Cohen's D = .947. Pairwise comparison examined the Science GPA and revealed that for Experimental group (N = 95, M = 3.33, SD = 0.466), was about .792 times higher in average Science GPA than the Control group (N = 170, M = 2.538, SD = 0.864) and is statistically significant, p < .001 with a large effect size, Cohen's D = 1.06. A Pearson correlation tests including scatter plots (Figure 3) with a 95% Bias-Corrected bootstrap to improve estimation of the sample distribution were conducted to investigate the measure of association between the observed Motivation scale and the three learning programs in GPA, HSPT, and Science GPA. The results indicated that the bivariate relationship between the Motivation and GPA were negatively correlated and statistically significant, r(60) = -.252, p = .048 with a substandard post-hoc observed power of .64 or 64% detection rate.;The collection of qualitative data in the form of on-line surveys came from students and health care professional. The on-line surveys included open-end questions and analyzed using a modified version of the Academic Motivational Scale (AMS) and based on the Likert 5-point scale.;The findings of the study showed the influential efficacy of the motivational program, Project A- PulseRTM, and the causal relationship between the high school motivational program and student performance.;The ultimate outcome from the study would be to implement similar programs into high schools across the United States and for program graduates to choose to enter careers in the health sciences or medical field.;Keywords: Academic Education, Assessment, Career Education, Core Curriculum, Health Sciences, High School Graduates, High School Students, Magnet Schools, Motivation, Outcomes of Program, Program Effectiveness, Project A- Pulse, Science and Math Curriculum, STEM, Student Success. |
