A Background Study of Negro College Students. Bulletin, 1933, No. 8
Author: Caliver, Ambrose
Date: 1933-00-00
Type: Historical Materials
Subjects: Academic Achievement,Educational Opportunities,College Freshmen,Presidents,African American Education,Social Influences,Cultural Background,School Personnel,Individual Characteristics,High Schools,Institutional Characteristics,Colleges,Academic Aptitude,Age Differences,Gender Differences,Scores,Achievement Tests,Parents,Educational Attainment,Intelligence,High School Students,Majors (Students),Extracurricular Activities,Student Interests,Libraries,Books,Periodicals,Student Organizations,Activities,Leisure Time,Travel,Employment Level,Siblings,College Choice,Attendance,Influences,Elementary Education,Secondary Education,Socioeconomic Status,Family Income

This bulletin presents a fundamental study of the social backgrounds of college freshmen in 33 colleges for Negro youth located in 17 states. The purpose of this study is to establish criteria and reveal trends with which local schools may compare their own student bodies; and to furnish a body of information which will be helpful in establishing and conducting a personnel program and to serve as one of the guides in further reorganizing educational theory and practice. It is believed that this information will be of value not only to college administrators and teachers, but to elementary- and high-school personnel as well, It should also prove helpful to officials of private- and public-school systems, to social workers, and to parents and students themselves. A carefully prepared questionnaire was sent out to some 95 colleges requesting cooperation, and 42 presidents expressed their willingness to cooperate. There were 2,176 examination forms returned. The tabulations and the explanations of them are given in three parts. Part I is a discussion from a more or less personal angle; Part II approached the topic from the schools previously attended; and Part III approached the topic from the point of view of the parents of these children and the educational opportunities enjoyed by their parents and their siblings. It was found that "the typical Negro college freshman is 20 years of age, has a mean psychological score of 86; and comes from a family of four children, one of which has already graduated from college. His father and mother have, respectively, 8 and 9 years of schooling. During his high-school career, he read 21 books voluntarily; engaged in three hobbies or interests; belonged to three organizations; and held two offices. He comes from a home having a monthly income of $95. The home he comes from contains 5 or 6 rooms and is occupied by 4 or 5 persons. His parents have 96 books in their home and take two magazines. The following are appended to this document: (1) Letter to Presidents of Negro Colleges (request for participation in project); (2) Background Study of Negro College Freshmen (questionnaire); and (3) Instructions for Background Study of Negro College Freshmen (letter accompanying questionnaires and examinations). A bibliography is included. Individual sections contain footnotes. (Contains 53 tables and 19 figures.) [Best copy available has been provided.]