The purpose of this paper is to discuss one instructional design that leverages problem-based learning and game structures as a means of developing innovative higher education courses for students as responsive, lived experiences. This paper reviews a curricular redesign that stemmed from the evaluation of an introductory course in computer…

The District conducts a "cross-sectional" analysis of student dropouts annually; it examines dropout rates among students enrolled in various grades at one point in time. A "longitudinal" analysis, also conducted annually, tracks a group of students in the same grade or cohort over a period of several years. Each method…

Dropout classification systems must be standardized, updated, and simplified to accurately reflect conditions of student departures from school; current, nonstandardized systems allow gathered data to be biased and of poor quality. Improvements will inform administrators of the specific causes behind students' early withdrawals--whether students…

This report to the leaders of the minority and majority parties of the Illinois state legislature provides data on the number of students with disabilities who are estimated to exit the Illinois public school system after the 1996-97 school year. The data were prepared by averaging the information provided by districts regarding students who were…

This report analyzes departmental variations in time to degree and attrition in Ph.D. programs at Berkeley. An alternative hypothesis, the Ph.D. production function, is examined by cross-section econometric analysis of 28 departments. The inputs included in the production function were student variables--quality and percent males; faculty…

An overview of issues and problems in identifying and predicting dropouts is presented in this Digest. The topics discussed are as follows: factors associated with dropping out; defining and calculating dropouts; problems in prediction; the usefulness of current prediction models; and suggestions for improving prediction. The recommendation is…

This report presents empirical data in support of the behavioral, demand-oriented theory of Ph.D. production. A close examination of the Ph.D. curricula of the English, Economics, and Chemistry departments at Berkeley, chosen as representative of the extremes of departmental behavior, demonstrates that requirements do differ substantially and in a…

Assuming that the holding power of a junior college is one of the significant indices of its effectiveness, this paper reviews descriptive and inferential data on student attrition. Included are dropout statistics, reported reasons for leaving college, and personality characteristics of dropouts versus persisters. Comparisons between numbers of…

Attempts to explain the high rate of student attrition in first-year language courses. The author gained insight into the problem when he enrolled in a Chinese course, which he eventually dropped because of lack of incentive. He concludes that awareness of the need for language learning will curb attrition rates. (Author/PJM)

Oregon's accounting system to identify early school leavers is described in this document. The system provides a uniform process for identifying students in grades 7-12 who leave school prior to completion of a high school degree or equivalent studies. Included are sample forms and instructions for completion, a description of the state Department…

The purpose of this study was to determine if students enrolled at Central Florida Community College (CFCC) who receive financial aid withdraw from college credit classes at a significantly higher rate than those not receiving such aid. A secondary purpose was to determine if GI Bill recipients withdraw at a significantly higher rate than other…

A number of factors that might have been thought to be important in contributing to student dropout appear to have had little effect on variations in the dropout rate at Flinders. Two factors do appear to be important: the relatively open entry system to Australian universities, and the higher failure rate of part-time students. (LBH)

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that there is no significant difference between the academic achievement of black students and students of other races at Okaloosa-Walton Junior College (OWJC) in terms of (1) hours of enrollment, (2) course withdrawals, (3) course failures, and (4) overall course completions. The subjects of this…

This report describes a unique institutional approach to study the causes of student attrition recently completed at Nasson College, Maine. The population of the study included all students who had been enrolled during the preceeding seven semesters and who subsequently withdrew or were dismissed for academic reasons. A questionnaire survey…

Fluctuations in financial and enrollment conditions have caused the faculty at Cerritos College (California) to be periodically subjected to intense pressure and to be held responsible for high student withdrawal rates, alternating with periods of administrative indifference. Concomitantly, college policy on non-punitive student course withdrawal…