Outlines development of interest in student retention studies in Britain arising from concern about the appropriate use of public money. Describes retention strategies being used within the London Institute, a federation of five art- and design-focused colleges. The aim is an overarching and interlinking strategy across a whole college, what the…

This report presents the results of a review of course withdrawal and forgiveness policies at public community colleges and state universities in Florida, with a view toward standardizing such policies that impact articulation, the transfer of credit, and credit-hours-to-degree. It recommends that: (1) forgiveness, withdrawal, and incomplete…

It is uncertain what a college reading program can do to enhance retention of college students who leave before graduating. Unfortunately, studies of college reading instruction's impact on grade point average (GPA) have not produced clear results. Additional content instruction, however, has been found to have significant impact on GPA's. Still,…

Studies reveal that students from small high schools tend to do better at some Wisconsin State Universities, especially at WSU-Stevens Point. However, high school percentile rank, regardless of class size, is by far the best single predictor of academic success at WSU-Stevens Point. The present investigation was aimed at determining if students…

This study was designed to measure the academic success of students who transfer to and from the various institutions of higher education in North Carolina. The long range purpose of the study is to evaluate academic performance, attrition rates, and progress toward degree completion of the various transfer groups. These groups include students…

Pace University's efforts to attract and retain adult students include contacting nonmatriculated students to encourage commitment and resolve problems and contacting part-time students the first semester they stop attending. The results of the university taking the initiative have been increased retention and greater information about student…

Students in six advanced mathematics courses at the Open University were surveyed to identify and analyze reasons for withdrawal from the courses. Specific recommendations for preventing dropout advising and readily available counseling, clarifying course sequences, avoiding assumptions about student sophistication, and developing new curriculum.…

Multiple group discriminant analysis was employed to determine the utility of preenrollment traits and academic performance in identifying freshman students who persisted, stopped out, or withdrew early. After first-quarter academic performance, relatively clear distinctions can be made between students who persist and those who do not.…

This survey of accredited Registered Nurse Baccalaureate Degree programs in the United States sought to determine the status of retention efforts at these institutions. Results showed that the presence of retention programs at colleges and universities with nursing programs increased the retention rate significantly. (TE)

Results are reported from a study that attempted to find the objective effects of a 3-month high school teachers' strike on 134 first year university students. Findings indicate that no important differences existed between strike students and others with regard to grades, failures, or withdrawals. (IAH)

Compares course completion rates for students enrolled in sections of a required first-year writing course taught in a microcomputer laboratory/classroom to the course completion rates for pen-and-paper sections of the same course. Finds higher course completion rates for students enrolled in the microcomputer sections. (RS)

Relationships between personality variables and entrance into and persistence in engineering and racial differences in personality profiles of engineering students were studied for 129 freshmen in engineering and 85 persisting engineering students. Results suggest that personality differences play a vital role in persistence but that racial…

A study estimated effects of a $150 fee increase per semester, without aid package adjustments, on within-year persistence at a large urban university. Institutional enrollment projections were accomplished using price-response measures derived from earlier research. It was found that both undergraduate and graduate student enrollment were…

Introduces a method of examining college enrollment patterns that is unlike the traditional cohort models currently used. The student flow matrix model can track student retention and attrition within the institution, and can also help the administrator identify key relationships between and among specific student-flow characteristics. (MSE)

College administrators who suspend or dismiss students who do not meet the institution's minimum academic performance standards must identify and develop sound reinstatement policies based on clearly defined criteria which measure an individual's ability to succeed. Such policies are necessary to allow potential graduates to complete their studies…