Findings from a study of administrators' perceptions of student dropout causes and possible interventions are presented in this paper. Current dropout literature was categorized into four sources of student withdrawal from school--schools, parents, peers, and students. A national survey of 650 secondary principals and 650 superintendents produced…

This position paper was written to answer a series of basic questions frequently asked about attrition and retention at Empire State College (ESC), New York. The questions addressed in the report are: (1) What is the attrition rate at ESC? (2) How does ESC's attrition rate compare to other colleges? (3) Who are the leavers? (4) When does attrition…

Reasons why students studying business administration withdrew from Fayetteville Technical Institute (North Carolina) were examined. Questionnaires mailed to a random sample of 30 former students were completed by 26 dropouts who had been enrolled at the institute during 1981-1982. Responses from 26 students were classified as nonsocietal or…

The committee is convinced that attrition is so interwoven with the entire college philosophy and operation that attempts to minimize it must be viewed as a total campus effort. The following definition of attrition was used for computing attrition at the class level: (1) all F's, (2) all withdrawals from class for students enrolled for 7 hours or…

This document summarizes information about attrition, graduation, and graduation with honors at Hollins and other College Research Center (CRC) member colleges; calls attention to the fact that increasing percentages of entering freshmen are saying that the chances of their transferring to another college are "very good"; examines the…

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…

The history and status of research on college student attrition are reviewed, and research design and measurement deficiencies that have reduced the accuracy or usefulness of results or hindered appropriate policy formation are discussed. (MSE)

This report describes the study, its findings relative to recidivism and school withdrawal, the implications of the findings for planning preventive intervention services, and the implications of the findings for further research. (Author)

Explores self-esteem in a group of recent school-leavers (N=3,066). Results indicate that self-esteem was significantly lower in economically underemployed groups, relative to the adequately employed, after controlling for early self-esteem and other factors. No differences in self-esteem emerged among the economically underemployed groups. (RJM)

Investigated the timing of dropout by college students over a 5-year period. Found that factors that affect student dropout often have effects that change over time. For instance, students who receive financial aid generally have lower dropout rates than non-aided students, but dropout rates vary depending on the amount and timing of student…

Finds that developmental reading students were as successful in college as low ACT nondevelopmental students but not as successful as the higher ACT students. Suggests that ACT scores and age were the best predictors of college success. Demonstrates the need for developmental classes for underprepared college freshmen. (RS)

A survey at Edge Hill College of Higher Education in Canada, designed to be part of the mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the quality of the student experience, revealed that key factors influencing withdrawal were: course not as expected, traveling difficulties, institution not as expected, domestic difficulties, and financial difficulties.…

Feedback from 22 adults enrolled in evening language classes revealed a need for clear precourse information and advice, appropriate assessment and placement, and attention to group dynamics in order to retain learners in language classes. (SK)

This study determined the reasons that students who were classified as sophomores and juniors in the spring 1972 semester failed to return to Indiana University at South Bend for the fall 1973 semester. A review of the literature and a survey adapted from one used by Grossman College indicates: (1) Recreational facilities and vocational and…

Tracked the college careers of 378 students who entered college through a special program for academically underprepared students. Results indicated that students' academic self-concept and achievement expectancies were related to their subsequent school withdrawal. Found differences in the relationship between attitudes and school withdrawal of…