This paper describes the conceptual model of retention used as the framework for research on institutional effectiveness at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP). First, an overview of the literature on student attrition is presented, followed by a specific review of research based on Tinto's model of student attrition. This model maintains…

If colleges and universities were to examine closely the results of research on student persistence, they would find several ways to change their academic organization to promote greater educational community among students, faculty, and staff, including supporting connected learning experiences; reorganizing the first year of college; and…

This paper briefly reviews the literature on the common factors in effective college student retention programs, then presents a study assessing the impact of the institution's mission effectiveness as distinct from other determinants of student retention. The assessment of retention predictors and the effects of the school's mission were…

This study examined factors affecting academic persistence for Hispanic college students at a private 2-year bilingual junior college (St. Augustine College, Illinois) in terms of the students' integration into the academic and social environment at the college. A sample of 277 Hispanic graduates (78 percent female) participated in the study.…

The research on graduate students that has appeared in 20 academic journals since 1976 is reviewed. Ninety-four articles are classified into topic areas, and representative articles of each area are discussed. The research designs of the 94 research studies are considered with attention to: the level of students (master's or doctoral); whether…