Article presented another side of the problem of student dropouts. (RK)

Advocates collecting student background, needs, and goals data to match students with appropriate programs and thereby counteract the high dropout rate. Uses medical analogies, in which each case is "curable," but only after assessing all relevant information. Descries the lack of dropout research and suggests a prescriptive admissions policy. (JG)

Focuses on the scope and significance of community college student research as it pertains to student retention. Examines the theoretical models that explain and attempt to predict student attrition. Also suggests areas and opportunities for future researchers in the field. (Contains 57 references.) (NB)

Describes a study of urban community college students who were incoming day students in fall 1979 and no longer enrolled in spring 1981. Focuses on number of semesters enrolled; major; certainty of career goals; mode of, reasons for, and activities after withdrawal; immediate plans; and quality of college experience. Offers recommendations to…

This report presents the characteristics of students who failed in their first four-year college attempt, then transferred into community colleges, and subsequently moved on to a four-year college and succeeded. While the numbers who moved on through each stage dropped, they were large enough to identify recovery as a valuable community college…

Describes a study of the relationship between student persistence in developmental mathematics programs and age, gender, parents' education, grade point average (GPA), goal commitment, institutional experience, academic integration, placement grades, and student performance. Finds no significant direct effect on persistence by age, gender, GPA, or…

Describes a study applying the Tinto Model to predict student persistence/exit in a community college setting. A questionnaire assessing background, environmental, and integration variables was administered to full-time students during their first semester, successfully predicting subsequent persistence/exit behavior and affirming the utility of…

Discusses a survey of nonreturning students at Cuyamaca College (California), distinguishing between positive attrition (successful nonreturners) and negative attrition (unsuccessful nonreturners). Compares two groups in terms of goals, employment, satisfaction with college, high school performance, gender, and ethnicity. Recommends…