Used concepts from community psychology literature to elaborate a revised version of Tinto's model of individual student departure. Employed a longitudinal analysis of 718 college students. Results indicate that students' sense of community in their residence halls was a source of social integration and a precursor to student departure decisions.…

A study operationally defined academic and social integration to fit the population of Hispanic two-year college students, and examined psychometric properties of the measures through confirmatory factor analysis. Findings confirmed the importance of culturally sensitive operational definitions of academic and social integration when including…

A survey of adult students in an independent course (n=180) involving printed study guides, readings, and noncompulsory lectures showed that printed materials were a disincentive to developing deep learning strategies; students did not feel part of the university culture; they were preoccupied with assessment and had weak independent research…

The experience of students withdrawing from a university in their first year is explored. Students' perceptions of the factors which influenced their withdrawal decisions are examined. Findings support the hypothesis that the main factor influencing withdrawal/persistence behavior is the degree to which students can adjust to the new academic and…

Discusses empirical problems in confining college student retention studies to stay-versus-go outcomes, reviewing data resources (exit surveys, transcript requests, withdrawn student surveys, state transfer student databases, and the National Student Clearinghouse's Enrollment Search Program), which can enhance understanding of first-year…

A longitudinal study compared the characteristics of teacher candidates who persisted and did not persist through the early years of teaching. Gender, major, initial assurance about teaching, and time of the decision to teach were related to persistence for the 29% of 551 candidates studied who persisted. (SLD)

Explores successful program strategies that encourage greater minority participation in graduate and professional education. Focuses on three major components: academic assistance, financial support, and mentoring. Looks at evolution of academic assistance programs, the traditional forms of financial support provided to graduate and professional…

Presents an overview of research results on noncognitive variables and explains how these variables have been or could be applied to the admission and retention of regularly admitted students of color. Compares noncognitive variables between "special admit" and "regular admit" students of color and discusses methods for…

This article explains how teachers can strengthen the self-efficacy of students who are struggling academically and increase their motivation for schoolwork. Instructional principles include linking new work to recent successes, teaching needed learning strategies, reinforcing effort and persistence, stressing peer modeling, and helping students…

The effectiveness of a mentoring program for 53 at-risk college students was investigated. The results indicated that the mentoring intervention had a positive impact on retention and grade point averages for this student cohort. (EV)

Compared cohort and non-cohort graduate students' perceptions of the ethical climate of an educational administration program using the Ethical Climate Index, and their perceptions regarding the importance of ethical climate to student retention. Found that cohort students rated the ethical climate significantly more positive. Both groups…

A review of the research on the shortage of special education teachers and the role of attrition leads to eight recommendations to improve special educators' work environments and increase retention. Four of these recommendations are: hire certified teachers; use salaries and bonuses as incentives to remain; develop responsive induction programs…

Recognizing categorical models that reflect an "at risk" approach to serving children, this article advocates an expanded focus on the protective factors and assets that contribute to healthy development via the capacity for resilience. Addresses: (1) a systemic approach to enhancing resilience; (2) resiliency in concert with…

Asserting that graduation and stopout are "competing" or correlated events and that they often should be modeled as such, this study demonstrated that factors affecting timely graduation (e.g., financial aid) often have time-varying effects, and that ignoring these time-varying effects can lead to spurious conclusions that may result in…

Discusses the need for librarians to develop effective strategic plans and to regard the library operation as a business operation. Explains 12 entrepreneurial traits that are needed for success in librarianship and information services, including passion, enthusiasm, trustworthiness, creativity, persistence, responsibility, flexibility,…