A longitudinal study was conducted to determine the factors influencing college student persistence in remaining in school. Persistence was examined at two points: after the first year and 4 years after enrollment. The study was conducted at an urban university using the American College Testing's Entering Student Survey and Student Opinion…

In an effort to form baseline data and information on the activity of learners participating in courses offered by Athabasca University, an individual learner tracking study was initiated. A random selection of 38 learners submitted weekly forms indicating their level of activity in courses, their motivational level, and the amount of contact they…

Characteristics of students who withdrew from the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Oswego during 1975-76 were studied to determine if previously studied trends are continuing. Data are provided on the withdrawal rate for each undergraduate class, by sex, and by college major. The size of the freshman class and the numbers of degrees…

Dropout rates were investigated with a special emphasis on comparing loan users with users of other forms of aid. Differences in dropout rates for students in the following groups were analyzed: loans only, loans in combination with other aid, other aid only, and aid from families only. Using analysis of variance the following variables were…

This annotated bibliography focuses on literature of student attrition at the college level published for the most part between 1965 and 1973. The articles focus mostly on research studies on attrition. Descriptive articles have been included when they were perceived to extend the concept of attrition. Dissertations and theses have not been…

A study, conducted to test the influence of biorhythms on law school performance, focused on academic disadvantages, absenteeism and withdrawal, biorhythm compatibility among students and teacher, and study efficiency. One conclusion is that outside employment and basic ability are more important than biorhythms in determining success. (JMD)

Results of a survey of British doctoral students not completing their graduate programs are reported. Students' reasons for dropping out include individual characteristics, personal problems and accidents, problems inherent in research projects, and poor supervision. Faculty attitudes and government policy are discussed. (MSE)

A study of a course for matriculating adult students looks at the course structure, student numbers and characteristics, withdrawals and dropouts, final degree results, and the problems encountered by adult students. (MSE)

In a review of the literature, some of the reasons traditional college-age students withdraw are applied to adults. Conclusions regarding adults who persist versus those who drop out are offered and suggestions for increasing the retention of adult students are presented. (Author/MLW)

The retention and attrition after the freshman year among economically and academically disadvantaged students admitted through a special program to an urban, primarily non-residential university is investigated. This paper tests the predictive validity of major constructs in Tinto's explanatory model of college student withdrawal. (Author/BS)

Stepwise discriminant analysis coupled with logit regression analysis of freshmen data from Brandon University (Manitoba) indicated that six tested variables drawn from research on university dropouts were useful in predicting attrition: student status, residence, financial sources, distance from home town, goal fulfillment, and satisfaction with…

Compared characteristics of students (N=180) who withdrew from a university after completing two years of a baccalaureate program. Dropouts, stopouts, and transfers reported that four factors were related to withdrawal decisions: academic environment, financial demands, career focus, and social/personal environment. Discusses implications of…

Glass' (1976) meta-analytic techniques were used to integrate findings from 59 independent evaluations of computer-based college teaching. The meta-analysis found little relationship among study findings and design features of the experiments, settings for the studies, or manner and date of publication of the findings. (Author/GK)

A study of 2,100 freshmen at a public university examined the relationship of financial aid at 3 levels (receipt of any aid, total amount of aid, type/amount of aid), grade point average, and full- versus part-time attendance to persistence from the first to the second semester. With the exception of scholarships, financial aid did not affect…

This paper reviews a study of persistence patterns of first-time first-year students during 1986-90 in all public senior institutions (n=35) in Texas. The study provides data to assist student affairs practitioners to evaluate their own attrition problem and to compare and delineate their patterns from a statewide perspective. (GLR)