As the second phase of a three-phase study of why students leave Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and why others remain, this research focuses on three questions: (1) what were the reasons for discontinuing studies at MATC? (2) what were the overall perceptions of the 269 leavers in 1989 regarding institutional and student services? and (3)…

In winter 1992, a survey was conducted by the Arrowhead Community College Region (Minnesota) to determine why nonreturning full-time students had failed to return to Arrowhead colleges. A questionnaire was mailed to all fall 1991 nonreturning students, followed by a second mailing two weeks later to all non-respondents. Of the 421 nonreturning…

A study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) in Illinois to develop a profile of students who withdrew from courses between summer 1990 and spring 1992. For the 2-year period studied, each degree credit student who officially withdrew from a course was asked to complete a survey form, indicating withdrawal status, whether a…

This manual provides a framework for formulating a game plan for retention of students in vocational training. The information is based on possible conflicts the students may encounter that would hinder the completion of vocational programs. The conflicts are categorized into personal conflicts, school-related conflicts, and other situations.…

With the dwindling of the traditional college applicant pool, retention has become one of higher educational institutions' top priorities. This study addresses the effectiveness of Western Psychological Services'"Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire" (SACQ) for providing early evidence of poor adjustment and potential attrition…

A study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to develop a profile of students who withdrew from courses between 1988 and 1990 and to compare this profile with the results of a 1986-88 withdrawal study. For the 2-year period studied, each degree credit student who officially withdrew from a course was asked to complete a survey…

In order to determine the reasons for student attrition at Butler County Community College (BCCC), a questionnaire was sent to each of the 188 students who were enrolled in the fall 1984, spring 1985, or fall 1985 semesters who did not return the following semester. After phone and postcard followups, an 80% response rate was achieved. Study…

The need for postsecondary educational programs for handicapped people is increasing, and colleges and universities need to provide access to postsecondary education. In addition to providing access, they also need to ensure that handicapped individuals are accommodated in the social and educational environment of college. However, it appears that…

This study was conducted to explore the economic and programmatic implications of school-year program attrition in secondary vocational programs in New Hampshire. The study included students who switched to other vocational programs as well as those who switched to a general academic or a college preparatory curriculum. Interviews were conducted,…

This study investigates factors contributing to dropping out and returning to school among urban high school students. The analysis is a preliminary attempt to determine whether state or local responses are more viable in preventing high-risk students from leaving school early, and the extent to which school practices and policies may influence…

Two recent studies proved the usefulness of predictors of academic performance and conceptual models that were developed primarily from research on traditional college students for the study of retention among nontraditional adult students in conventional postsecondary programs. Some modifications and extensions were suggested. The first study…

Student withdrawal from the University of Iowa was studied using an exit survey. Students' reasons for leaving the university, their future plans, and possible interventions that would have assisted the student to remain in school were assessed, along with the validity of the survey. Although there was only 62 percent agreement between the exit…

A study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to determine why students stopped attending classes during fall 1979 without officially withdrawing. From a group of students who were reported to be not attending classes at midterm, 400 students were selected for the survey. The questionnaire solicited information about why students…

A followup study was conducted by Wilkes Community College of its attrition population. The purposes were to: (1) determine factors contributing to student withdrawal; (2) create a profile of conditions concerning students who withdrew; and (3) ascertain what students did during the first quarter after leaving. One hundred questionnaires,…

This study explored the possibility of linking the Luna (1999) student flow matrix model with institutional planning at a comprehensive state institution, investigating how student flow environments were associated with student characteristics such as race, gender, citizenship, class level, entry type, and cumulative grade point average. The study…