Presents results of a survey of course withdrawal policies at two-year colleges in Iowa, focusing on deadlines, grades given for dropped courses, drop initiation procedures, and recent policy changes. Finds that most schools permit students to drop classes late in the term with a nonpunitive grade. Discusses practical implications. (DMM)

Compares student achievement in introductory computer science courses before and after the introduction of a competency-based course syllabus. Finds little difference in the performance of 1988 and 1989 summer students. Fall competency-based students had a higher dropout rate but increased performance. (DMM)

Reports on a study of the effects of seven preenrollment characteristics (i.e., ability, socioeconomic status, race, sex, high school program, high school grades, and educational aspirations) and three student-institutional characteristics (i.e., entry status, full/part-time status, and curriculum type) on student retention in college. Looks at…

Describes a study which contrasted the persistence rates of community college transfer students with those of native university students over a six-year period. Indicates that transfer students had lower persistence rates than native students during their second and third terms, though rates for the fourth term showed no differences. (DMM)

Examines factors associated with persistence to a second term for 796 first time, two-year college students. Demographic variables correlated with low persistence were taking nondegree courses only, enrolling part time, working full time, and being over age 40. The only academic factor related to low persistence was a first term grade point…