Interviews with the day teaching faculty at American River College were conducted to determine which variables most affect class withdrawal and retention rates. During the interviews, each instructor was asked to think of any one of his/her day classes taught during the preceding semester and to answer 30 questions concerning, among other items,…

In an extensive student progression report, six semesters of student flow data are summarized for 7,046 new students and 2,125 transfer students who entered the Hawaii community colleges in fall 1974. Continuation rates, full-time rates, credit-completion rates (CCR), changes of major, and graduates are analyzed by semester in terms of entering…

In fall 1978, Sacramento City College initiated the Higher Education Learning Package (HELP) to promote the success and retention of students with basic skill deficiencies while mainstreaming them into regular courses. Students work with instructors and tutors in small groups and on a one-to-one basis. Using an integrative team teaching approach,…

As part of a continuing study of student flow in the Hawaii community colleges, this report analyzes the persistence patterns of 1974 entering students after six semesters for the community college total and the seven campuses. The persistence patterns of the 9,171 students showed that 29% enrolled for only one semester at their campus of entry…

This is the final report of a project initiated in September 1965 to: (1) determine and measure the environmental factors and the social-psychological characteristics of students which are related to the success or failure of occupational programs; and (2) to identify a variety of typical educational career patterns and to isolate teams of…

Student characteristics and educational destinations of all the reverse transfer students from five state universities who were admitted to five community colleges during one calendar year (N=459) were studied to re-assess and define the "retread function" of community colleges. A group of 245 native community college students were randomly…

Based on information (1966-67) from the on-the-job-training program of the Iowa State Manpower Development Council, this study analyzed variations in placement among 123 applicants aged 45-65. Questionnaire variables were race, sex, age, marital status, physical or social handicap, education, weeks unemployed, occupational level, financial…

Assesses the applicability of several related models of student retention/attrition to community colleges. Presents the results of a longitudinal study of freshman-year retention and performance, revealing that certain pre-enrollment variables coupled with first-semester academic performance data can help institutions identify potential dropouts.…

Institutional accountability for performance and quality is an evolving topic with immeasurable appeal. Data and sources are abundant, but validated measures and meaningful information are scarce. While pursuing an approach centered on construct validity, this study transforms complex data into useful information. Correlation analysis reveals…

"Focus on Basics" is the quarterly publication of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. It presents best practices, current research on adult learning and literacy, and how research is used by adult basic education teachers, counselors, program administrators, and policymakers. "Focus on Basics" is…

This study investigated how adult education teachers changed after participating in one of three different models of professional development (multisession workshop, mentor teacher group, or practitioner research group), all on the same topic of learner persistence. The study also investigated the most important individual, professional…

Imagine someone telling you that, within three years, new teachers would leave the profession for which they trained so hard. That is what is happening to 30% of today's promising new teachers who are not given the mentoring, direction, and professional development that is so desperately needed to keep them focused and enthusiastic. To handle this…

Perhaps the two most vexing measurement issues in higher education research are how to obtain true transfer rates from community colleges to four-year universities and the correct formula for the measure of college student retention, regardless of institutional type. All colleges and universities are required to submit retention figures to federal…

Middle level educators can't always define it succinctly, but they know courageous, collaborative leadership when they see it. Examples of courageous leadership can range from a cancer-stricken teacher who inspires a whole school, to an educator who makes little strides by modeling the art of "hanging out" for students for whom social interaction…

This compendium identifies and describes schools, programs, and policies that link secondary and postsecondary education to help students earn college credit or take college-level courses while in high school. It raises issues for practitioners and policymakers to consider as these program grow and target a wider range of students. This compendium…