Determining college performance of allied health students.

Background: The need to find methods to reduce attrition rates in allied health programs has caught the attention of legislators and administrators of higher education institutions.

Methods: A quantitative method design was used to investigate academic achievement in college as a function of high school achievement, high school performance, aptitude, and proactive measures taken by students. College transcripts and a survey were used to collect data. Eighty-six participants volunteered for the study. The data were analyzed with multiple linear regressions.

Results: Academic achievement was found to be a function of the independent variables examined. Together, the variables accounted for 37% of the total variance in academic achievement among the respondents, as measured by college grade point average. The findings suggest that dual enrollment programs play an integral part in academic achievement and may help facilitate the transition of high school students into the radiologic sciences. The findings may assist educators working with students in public schools and in higher education, especially students seeking to enter the radiologic sciences as a profession.

Conclusion: Dual enrollment programs may be 1 avenue to help reduce attrition rates in allied health programs, especially in radiologic technology programs.