A logit model was developed, using historical data, to identify characteristics inherent in a college student's decision to withdraw from college. Once the model was derived, predicted probabilities of retention for an incoming freshman class were computed, and a program for monitoring high-risk students' progress was developed. (Author/MSE)

The two studies reported examined the validity of several Evaluation/Survey Service (ESS) surveys for accurately reflecting changes in students' perceptions resulting from changes made by an institution in its policies, programs, services, or environment. In study 1, personnel from nine postsecondary institutions identified items on various ESS…

In the age of dwindling resources and an ever decreasing pool of high school graduates an institutionally orchestrated student retention program can be one of the most effective survival strategies. In addition to the obvious benefit of holding more students to graduation, a campus-wide retention effort can bring about institutional renewal and…

Initial certification programs specify expectations or experiences of their teacher candidates both before and after admission. Typical prerequisites to admission include academic program, test scores, course work, or assessment of professional performance. Criteria for retention after admission often consist of academic performance or mastery of…

The study sought to develop predictive models of persistence and success in baccalaureate engineering at the end of the sophomore year by analyzing 11 intellective and 9 non-intellective variables. A total of 1,043 students in the 1984 entering freshman class in the College of Engineering at Pennsylvania State University served as the population.…

Information relating to course choice and commitment, and use of pre-enrollment information and advisory resources, were collected at the time of enrollment in 1980 from 1,375 first-year students at the University of New South Wales. The students were enrolled in the faculties of arts, architecture, and engineering. Multivariate analyses were used…

Major factors affecting a student's decision to drop a particular class were studied in 1982 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach. A total of 793 questionnaire forms were returned indicating reasons for 1,152 course drops. The most frequently cited reason was reduction in load, while change of section and change of class were…

The use of "academic forgiveness," which allows students to be considered for readmission or graduation to college, is discussed, with attention to the procedures used by nine state colleges in New Jersey. The student is allowed an opportunity for low grades or other evaluations to be removed, under certain conditions, from grade point…

Literature concerning factors associated with academic performance and withdrawal from college is reviewed separately for North American, United Kingdom, and Australian universities to help illuminate the problem of student withdrawal in Australia. V. Tinto's 1975 research review concerning North American college dropouts is summarized, and…

A study was undertaken to locate and analyze unpublished studies on student withdrawal from Canadian universities in order to determine how many studies had been completed, what research methods were used, and what results and conclusions were reached. Letters were sent to the presidents of 51 Canadian universities requesting copies of any recent…

Specific factors related to attrition at Spring Arbor College were identified, along with several basic problems with attrition-retention studies found in a review of the literature. Using the "significant other" model, this project differed from the general research by taking a relational perspective to the problem of attrition. The…

This report focuses illustratively on two institutional concerns for which changes in the aptitude level of entering students may have implications-attrition and grading. Implications indicated that colleges, individually and collectively, need to develop systematic programs for monitoring the incidence and determining the etiology of attrition.…

A survey of students in the community and technical colleges and four-year college of the University of Akron showed withdrawal often occurred because of job conflicts, financial problems, and need for a temporary break. Nonpersisters would have been encouraged by improved counseling and advising, financial aid, and instruction. Persisters would…

Path analysis was used to provide a comprehensive test of the validity of Tinto's causal model of voluntary withdrawal from a postsecondary institution. This study also tests Tinto's hypothesis of compensatory interactions between social and academic integration and between institutional and goal commitment. (Author/PN)

The danger of misusing a psychiatric withdrawal policy to remove students who are perceived as "troublesome" or eccentric is discussed. When violations of student conduct regulations have occurred, the frequent resort to psychiatric withdrawals will deny students and the campus the important benefits and protections associated with…