The Implications of Reduced Frequency Programmes in the Romanian Higher Education System

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze, using the statistical methods, the grades' dynamics of the students enrolled in reduced frequency programme between 2006 and 2009 at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University in Iasi, and the implications of these results. We compared the results of the students attending the reduced frequency programme with those obtained by the rest of the students at the same Faculties, enrolled from 2006 to 2009. Our initial assumption was that between the two groups of students attending courses at the same faculty there are no significant differences in grades and the interest shown in study. The final results contradicted our premises: the students enrolled to the reduced frequency educational programme had lower grades during the university years and at the bachelor degree exam. This underlines the lack of efficiency of this form of education and the students' poor knowledge, since they paid little (if any) attention to the preparation of the exams, to the individual study of the disciplines included in the educational plan and to the writing of the graduation paper.