This study aims to better understand two primary factors associated with student retention, with a particular focus on transfer commuter students. The factors of focus for this study are student sense of connectedness and perceived support networks. Retention and graduation are an area of importance nationally for all student populations (Lumina…

Theories explaining why students drop out of college have evolved to emphasize interactions between students and their college environments. While the interactionist model underscores the influence of social integration on student retention, few have examined the role of students' social networks in the decision-making process. Drawing on a survey…

Across the nation, troves of college students disenroll prior to graduation; students who do graduate often leave campus still searching as if something is missing, inadequate, and deficient. Indeed, something is missing and unsustainable in this malaise. Drawing on Tia Brown McNair, "et al." (2016), who call for student-ready campus…

This literature review examines student retention in higher education institutions. Specifically, it looks at the background and history of student retention, three student retention theories, and current literature on student retention within the social system. The three theories are Spady's (1970, 1971) Undergraduate Dropout Process Model,…

Coupled with the most recent national data set, this study investigated the college persistence behavior of first-generation students and found that they were most likely to withdraw from college during their second year. Moreover, this study unpacked the time-varying nature of academic and social integration. The effect of social integration on…

This article focuses on the research being conducted by Cambridge International Examinations (Cambridge) to ensure that its international assessments prepare students as well as other acceleration programs for continued study in U.S. colleges and universities. The study, which builds on previous freshman GPA data modeling work using data supplied…

This article discusses the current dropout rate, as great as 70 percent in colleges and universities, and the need to alleviate this problem. (HS)

A study of student attrition rates in 15 Florida junior colleges considered students' educational objectives and plans to reach them. Responses show two groups commonly mislabeled dropouts: those who originally planned to take one or more courses and those who left planning to return. Only two percent were considered legitimate dropouts. (JT)

An institutional attrition study showed certain reasons for dropping out cited by all students reemerging in analysis of subgroups. Financial and personal problems were most common, with unavailability of a desired major also common. However, individual differences also emerged, and strict adherence to a dropout profile is not recommended. (MSE)

Statistics on the drop-add tendencies of undergraduates at Clemson University were compiled. Three semesters were compared collectively, and it was discovered that numerous students had dropped at least one course in two of the three semesters and others in all three semesters. Profiles were built on these two groups. (MLW)

Recent research on college student attrition is examined for trends, and it is suggested that the common perspective on retention and attrition is too narrow; it should be viewed from three perspectives: within-course retention; program retention; and institutional retention rate. Recommended for retention (R) is early (E) identification (Id) plus…

Research to determine if and how unbalanced racial and sexual representation in selected freshman classes affect subsequent dropout, stopout, and persister behavior is reported. Dropouts, stopouts, and persisters are defined. Racial minorities and sexual majorities both experience disproportionately higher dropout rates. (MLW)

The executive committee of a combined sixth-year Baccalaureate-M.S. degree program instituted the administration of exit interviews to gain systematic information about why students leave the program prematurely. The committee hoped to assess the school's admissions procedures, its educational policies, and its student support services. (MLW)

A program for high-risk students at Eastern Oregon State College is described. Identification, prescription, follow-up, and evaluation of the target population are discussed. The results of the program are not dramatic but it is felt that efforts need to be intensified. (MLW)