The shortcomings of current research on student attrition are reviewed, and ways are described in which multiple regression, path analysis, and a recursive causal model can be used to better understand attrition. A review of the research shows that past theoretical models lack an adequate definition of variables which have resulted in their being…

The relationship between locus of control (LC), grade point average (GPA), standardized achievement test scores (SAT), sex, and socioeconomic status (SES) was investigated among a sample of 174 eighth graders who responded to the Nowicki-Strickland locus on control instrument. Certain partial correlations between momentary achievement…

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between reading achievement and a set of social and individual variables through the use of a critical path analysis. Data, taken from Cycle II of the National Health Examination Survey, included statistics on a national sample of 7,119 children, ages six through eleven years. Four…

Structural equation models incorporating unmeasured variables make possible the rigorous testing of theories previously difficult to test adequately because of fallible measures of the theoretic variables. This paper first discusses a simple causal model; incorporating a single unmeasured variable for the purpose of exposition. A substantive…

A theory, which proposed a hierarchy of determinants of student ratings of instruction, was tested. Situational variables such as class size, elective enrollment, and grade expectancy were hypothesized to be only indicators of more potent determiners. These motivational constructs were diversity of enrollment motives and subject matter interests,…