In July 2009, President Barack Obama set out a bold higher education agenda for his administration and promised that the U.S. would once again lead the world in college degree attainment. Given the nation's current level of college completion, it is reasonable to wonder whether such ambitions are feasible. While there is a sense that the country…

This author argues that college and university education in North America is in trouble. Education surpasses health, war, and the economy as the most important issue for the future. It does not get the attention it deserves because its effects are long term and people have short attention spans. In this article, the author explains why so many…

What is a PhD? People answer this question too often by succumbing to the bureaucratic lure. They describe formal processes, "outcomes", time to degree, funding, training in teaching--indeed, almost everything except central intellectual attraction and personal focus of the PhD enterprise: deep study. Certainly in United States PhD programs, the…

Recent reforms in the general music curriculum have, for the most part, failed to lessen the attrition rates of African Americans from public school music programs. In this article I assert that an embodied ideal of cultural nobility, exemplified by Auguste Rodin's famous statue, "The Thinker", has unconsciously operated as a template for…

Success for minority students in higher education has become a critical issue in higher education academia. Strategies for minority student retention have been developed as a result of the utilization of organizational theories and models which identify factors that influence student attrition in higher education. In particular, Tinto's attrition…

The slow destruction of successfully remedial course students from the chemistry curriculum stems principally from a largely typical rate of major and career goal change and is not attributable to any particular aspect of the chemistry placement examination (CPE) and remedial course program. Hence, institutions need to judge carefully whether a…

Discussion of the problem of student procrastination in distance education focuses on interviews with administrators and professors in two distance education programs. Perceived reasons for student attrition and noncompletion are described, and the concept of procrastination as a cause for noncompletion of courses is discussed. (12 references)…

Examines losses--financial, personal, and more--suffered by the university, the student, and the profession when a minority student nurse drops out. Suggests possibilities to prevent such attrition. (Editor/JOW)

Calls for an intervention program to combat student attrition, one that includes communication training of personnel at key interaction points. (PD)

Outlines six components that can be used as evaluation criteria for weight loss programs: (1) weight loss; (2) maintenance of weight loss; (3) self-efficacy; (4) behavior modification; (5) attrition; and (6) exercise. Indicates that the program that satisfies requirements of all six categories has the best chance of success. (JOW)

Reviews literature on student retention in colleges and universities and considers components of a college retention program that will enhance student's primary objective of academic achievement. Discusses need for quality instructional program and appropriate leadership structure. (NB)

Describes the propensity of English-as-a-Second-Language students to drop out, or feel pushed out, of high schools in Canada. Reports on a study of such drop-out rates, particularly in Alberta high schools. Discusses the implications of these findings. (HB)

Describes a model for the delivery of programs and services for recruiting, retaining, and graduating African-American students. Notes that piecemeal programs neither increase the enrollment of African-American students nor slow their rate of attrition. (DM)

Administrators at both state-funded and tuition-driven private institutions are now adhering to a bottom-line approach to education. In many cases, budget-minded administrators refuse to move forward on any educational initiative until this question is addressed: "What are you doing to encourage retention?" It is becoming clear that…

States that the increasing attrition rate of students applying to and persisting in education programs suggests that curriculum reform may not provide more teachers or even more effective teachers. Discusses the need for predictive measures in determining who should teach, recognizing that educators must encourage students to complete programs and…