Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education Advance Access originally published online on April 8, 2009
The Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education 2009 14(3):324-343; doi:10.1093/deafed/enp005
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Predicting Academic Success Among Deaf College Students
National Technical Institute for the Deaf—Rochester Institute of Technology
National Technical Institute for the Deaf—Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Edinburgh
National Technical Institute for the Deaf—Rochester Institute of Technology
National Technical Institute for the Deaf—Rochester Institute of Technology
New York School for the Deaf
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Abstract |
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For both practical and theoretical reasons, educators and educational researchers seek to determine predictors of academic success for students at different levels and from different populations. Studies involving hearing students at the postsecondary level have documented significant predictors of success relating to various demographic factors, school experience, and prior academic attainment. Studies involving deaf and hard-of-hearing students have focused primarily on younger students and variables such as degree of hearing loss, use of cochlear implants, educational placement, and communication factors—although these typically are considered only one or two at a time. The present investigation utilizes data from 10 previous experiments, all using the same paradigm, in an attempt to discern significant predictors of readiness for college (utilizing college entrance examination scores) and classroom learning at the college level (utilizing scores from tests in simulated classrooms). Academic preparation was a clear and consistent predictor in both domains, but the audiological and communication variables examined were not. Communication variables that were significant reflected benefits of language flexibility over skills in either spoken language or American Sign Language.
Correspondence should be sent to Marc Marschark, Center for Education Research Partnerships, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, 52 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623 (e-mail: marc.marschark{at}rit.edu).
Received September 7, 2008; revised February 17, 2009; accepted February 25, 2009