Applying a Cognitive Development Curriculum to Improve Academic Performance at Boyce College

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative replication of Carol Brown’s 2016 doctoral thesis is to use the Equipping Minds Cognitive Development Curriculum to address underlying deficits in cognitive abilities to increase academic performance in Boyce College students. Chapter 1 discusses the need for, and the benefit of, a study focused on improving student academic performance. Chapter 2 provides a review of institutional efforts to improve student performance and explains why a study addressing student academic performance is needed. Chapter 3 describes the methodological design and components of the cognitive development curriculum employed for the study. Chapter 4 presents the findings and an evaluation of the research design. Chapter 5 offers an analysis of the study, provides recommendations for implementing the study protocol in other post-secondary settings, puts forward recommendations for future research, including a longitudinal study to determine if results of the post-study assessments change over time, and offers final conclusions.