This study sought to develop a causal model for college persistence based upon students' degree aspirations 4 years into the college experience. It is based on a subset of data from the 1986 and follow-up 1990 Cooperative Institutional Research Program survey, namely 1,473 students attending 261 institutions. The model examined five sets of…

This study examined the academic and social integration of black students, all of whom were recipients of scholarships in a science and math scholarship program for black students at the University of Maryland (Baltimore County). The Meyerhoff program provides a range of support in addition to the scholarship support including study groups and…

An analysis of student matriculation was conducted at Diablo Valley College, in California, using the cohort of 4,251 students identified as new in fall 1992. Data indicate that 22.3% of this cohort did not enroll in any courses after applying, being tested, and completing orientation and advising; 8.4% continued on in the semester, but dropped…

In Japan, it is a common belief that anyone can achieve success; all that is necessary is that one persists with utmost diligence, and almost anything can be accomplished. This study investigated the thoughts of Japanese children, parents, and educators regarding the cultural phenomenon of "ganbare" (persistence), which permeates…

A study at Barry University (Florida), a private, urban comprehensive university investigated factors in student retention. Demographic data, standardized test scores, and academic performance data were gathered for almost 3,000 students entering the university between fall 1991 and spring 1995. In addition, the students were surveyed on…

A study used Alexander Astin's (1993) Input-Environment-Output (I-E-O) model to examine persistence at the United States Coast Guard Academy (Connecticut). Because the study was conducted in a controlled social environment, measures of social environmental influence were derived from multiple inputs, including adaptability polls wherein every…

This report profiles undergraduates enrolled in postsecondary education for the academic year 1992-93. It relies on data from the 1992-93 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, third in a series conducted by the Department of Education. The report begins with an essay that explores the extent to which undergraduates have outside…

To assist in the development of a statewide plan for increasing minority participation for both students and employees, the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Board conducted a review of progress made in minority access, recruitment, retention, and employment in System colleges from 1989 to 1994. The review included outcomes related to…

Intended as a resource to help decrease student withdrawal and increase student success at California's Santa Monica College, this report presents results from a study of student withdrawal and success rates for 8 sessions, from winter 1994 through fall 1994. Following an overview of the project and general observations based on findings, tables…

A study was undertaken at California's College of the Desert to determine the persistence rates of new students who entered the college in fall 1991 and fall 1992. Course enrollment was tracked for these students through fall 1996, with outcomes examined by student gender, ethnicity, and age; student enrollment in credit or non-credit courses;…

During the 1995-96 school year, 425 middle and high school students in one school district received suspensions for the remainder of the school year from their regular schools. In an exploratory followup of outcomes for these students in the 1996-97 year, three groups were identified: one group of 109 students who were allowed to enroll at…

In spring 1997, a study was conducted to examine whether institutional contact with the student (in the form of a retention award) has a positive effect on student persistence. An experimental design was used to conduct the study. A sample of students was drawn based on their academic performance in Spring 1996. First-time students with long-term…

Using retrieved historical data, the Toronto Board of Education's Research and Assessment Department undertook to examine long-term tracking outcomes of the 1981 cohort of Grade 1 students. These 4,195 students, who had entered the Toronto (Canada) schools in 1981, were followed for over 14 years. Students who followed the traditional schedule of…

During the past decade, there has been a simultaneous decline in the number of African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American teachers and an increase in the number of students among these same groups of minorities (referenced in this text as people of color). An array of topics relative to this decline were explored as the subject of a…

A project developed and implemented a plan to retain those adult basic education students who are likely to be successful if they stay enrolled in the program but who are likely to drop out if program staff do not intervene. The plan involved use of an assessment instrument to identify these at-risk students, development of an individualized…