Much of what is known regarding student withdrawal from college is specific to students in a traditional classroom setting. A major issue is whether those same factors play themselves out in much the same manner in courses where technology plays a significant role in the delivery of instruction such as in distance learning programs where…

While e-learning, Web-enhanced instruction, and other forms of instructional technology have been touted as an effective way of addressing student withdrawal and academic performance, there are those (Carr, 2000) that report both program and end-of-semester course completion rates in distance education courses as merely acceptable compared to more…

The concept of fitting in at a particular college has been linked to student persistence. Studies have identified habitus and cultural capital, psychosocial factors associated with a student's fit at a particular institution. This study examined the dimensions of precollege psychosocial factors, determined the extent to which those factors were…

Reviews the literature for empirical evidence of the impact of financial assistance on minority participation and retention in higher education. Recommends further research on minority subgroups in varied institutional settings in diverse geographic areas. (FMW)

No studies have tested persistence models on Hispanic community college students in which financial aid have been included. This study tested a structural equation model of retention for a Hispanic student population (N=170) to determine the direct, indirect, and total effects of campus-based resources on minority retention rates. (Author/MLW)

A study that tested a modified version of Tinto's student attrition model on a Chicano student population in two year colleges is discussed. Measures of goodness of fit were examined to provide indices for the overall fit of the causal model in the study. (Author/MLW)

At each education juncture, a significant number of Hispanic students drop out. Efforts must focus on improving rates of high school graduation, community college transfer, and student retention. Intervention strategies include dropout prevention, financial aid and college program, and exposure to fields in which they are underrepresented. (MLW)

A study with 2,453 college students investigated the construct validity of the student commitment to institution as a factor in academic persistence. Results suggest factors such as institutional quality, practical educational utility, student-institution fit, and loyalty to institution were more predictive of persistence than similarity of…

Theorizes about interrelations between "rites of passage" in Tinto's (1993) Student Integration Model, and support from significant others in Nora and Cabrera's (1996) Student Adjustment Model. Depicts how both sets of factors impact social and academic experiences and integration, commitment levels to attainment of an educational goal…

Reviews recent research on retention and achievement among Hispanic community college students, focusing on influences on persistence, transfer rates, and financial aid. Identifies needs for additional research, curricular reforms, and retention programs stressing counseling and advisement to promote the development of clear, concrete and…

In response to concerns about the loss of effectiveness of the community college transfer function, this paper examines the steady decline in rates of minority student transfer from two- to four-year colleges and offers policy recommendations for facilitating transfer and baccalaureate degree attainment. Initial sections review data showing the…

This study examined environmental and institutional factors affecting persistence of Hispanic college students. The sample of 324 first- and second-year students surveyed in the spring of 1995 included students who were enrolled in programs at a private, Illinois, bilingual junior college which were established to educate students who were older,…