The Raising Quality and Achievement Program is a 3-year initiative to support further education (FE) colleges in the United Kingdom in their drive to improve students' achievement and the quality of provision. The program offers the following: (1) quality information and advice; (2) onsite support for individual colleges; (3) help with…

This report contains four case studies from further education colleges in England that have been addressing student retention and dropout issues during the last several years. The case studies demonstrate successful student retention strategies in diverse college contexts with different student populations. They cover the following colleges:…

Reasons why some students complete further education (FE) and others drop-out were examined in a study involving a sample of 9,000 students and staff from 31 inner city, urban, and rural FE colleges throughout the United Kingdom. Data were collected from the following sources: interviews with FE college managers, staff, and students; review of…

This document, which is intended for staff development managers, senior and middle curriculum managers, student services managers, and teacher trainers in further education (FE) and higher education throughout the United Kingdom, summarizes the experience of nearly 20 further education colleges and adult education services in the United Kingdom in…

Factors contributing to program success or failure were evaluated at 16 English colleges. Questionnaires were distributed to 231 teachers with 59 of those questioned further during an interview. Respondents emphasized the importance of good teaching, committed and knowledgeable teachers, and effective and appropriate processes for recruitment,…

The views of 59 teachers at 11 further education (FE) colleges in five of England's nine regions were interviewed in depth regarding the factors that promote and prevent improvements in student retention and achievement. Those teachers who taught on teams with the highest retention and achievement focused on key elements of teaching and learning…

The research on student retention and achievement in England and elsewhere was reviewed to determine what is already known on the topic and what other information needs to be obtained through research studies. The review established that most of research that has been conducted on the topic in England has been undertaken within the college part of…

Data derived from "Raising Quality and Achievement" development projects, started in 1999 in more than 80 colleges in England led to conclusions about successful strategies to raise achievement and improve retention and about the meaning of college improvement. The projects were described in the form of case studies. A number of…

This guide is designed to share the experiences of 25 British further education colleges and adult education services that have developed demonstrably successful strategies to improve student retention. An introduction discusses the report's background, content, and format. The format mixes thematic presentation with mini-case studies and…