Reviews the literature related to student attrition and retention. Discusses findings from a survey of community college students who withdrew from developmental courses, to determine their reasons for leaving. Describes intervention programs that were subsequently developed, including telephone intervention, mentoring, and skills enhancement…

Speculates on the causes of attrition in developmental-education classes, stating that two factors influencing it are how well a student identifies with his or her institution and the quality of faculty-student interaction. Asserts that institutions must be aware of the cultural histories and socialization experiences students bring with them, and…