Describes the evaluation of four different retention programs implemented at the University of Southern Maine. Data from student surveys, student test scores and grades, and program cost figures indicated that the two learning community programs were more effective than the non-learning community programs. Investment in learning communities made…

The Open University's experiences provide the following recommendations for student retention: specialized advisory and guidance staff, accurate and relevant information, establishment of relationships with students, design of courses well suited to students' needs, ownership by the university community of student support services, a sense of…

A study of two classes of agriculture freshmen (1997: n=245, 1998: 195) showed that the best predictor of performance for the 1997 cohort was high school grade point average (GPA) and ACT score; for the 1998 cohort, GPA alone. High school GPA was the only successful predictor of freshman GPA. Traditional admission criteria had limited predictive…

A New Zealand study of 253 students who transferred from polytechnic certificate to university degree programs showed that transfer did not disadvantage performance, but "transfer shock" may have prevented even better results. Persistence rates varied from 39% for transferees using distance education to 78% for on-campus transferees. (SK)

Presents findings from a study entitled "Developmental Students' Perceptions of the Factors that Contribute to Academic Success." Focuses on the factors students identify as being significant in creating, nurturing, and maintaining commitment. Specifies the influence of role models, goals, personal circumstances, and the observation of the…

This longitudinal study followed four consecutive freshmen cohorts at a large urban public university. Found science, engineering, and mathematics (SEM) students persisted and graduated at higher rates than non-SEM majors. Gift aid for SEM majors was more likely to be merit-based than need-based. Women, but not underrepresented minorities or needy…

A study of entry-phase agriculture teachers (n=90, one-third female) identified personal, professional, and situational characteristics that would explain how long they expected to remain in teaching. Gender and agricultural work experience were significant predictors. (Contains 28 references.) (SK)

Year Twelve retention rates have a number of well-known deficiencies that prevent proper comparisons of school completion between school systems. This paper compares secondary school completion rates across Australian states and territories from 1989 to 2002 and adjusts "official" 2002 retention rates to take account of the acknowledged…

This paper is based on our studies of teacher recruitment and retention. Using official statistics from a variety of secondary sources, it builds on our previous work on the changing demand for teachers by exploring issues of teacher supply in the UK. Our findings suggest there is no overall shortage of applicants to initial teacher education and…

Understanding how to prepare and support teachers as social justice educators committed to working in high-poverty, urban schools is a growing area of inquiry--one that is crucial if we are to stem the tide of high attrition from these hard-to-staff schools. Teacher educators struggle to create conditions within formal preservice programs that…

This article discusses the results of interviews with eleven new teachers about what their major fears are when starting to teach. Previous research about teachers' concerns points to a number of problem areas (Fuller 1969; Rutherford and Wall, 1990; Borko and Putnam 1996; Veenman 1984). New data reveal underlying patterns that, at first glance,…

The evolution in students' expectations based on Maslow's theory of human motivation shows a transition from expectations having an effect upon motivation towards those providing a satisfactory experience. Maslow's argument was that once the lower level needs, such as physiological and safety needs, are met other higher needs emerge. In the…

This qualitative study isolated the participation and retention issues of Black graduate women who were enrolled in four departments within the College of Education at a major research university. By identifying factors that contributed to and hindered their successful educational tenures, this study details how the societal issues of gender, race…

This article explores some of the issues surrounding student retention at two contrasting universities in Scotland. It is based on a relatively small-scale quantitative survey of students who withdrew or continued, in order that direct comparisons may be made between the two groups. This comparison allows analysis of the constraints and…

While Chapman University's six-year graduation rate has been increasing steadily in the last few years, the institution continues to seek better ways to retain its students. Accordingly, our attention has focused on trying to identify freshman students who are more likely to be retained and those who are likely to depart college prior to degree…