The project described in this report was piloted at Florida Community College during fall 1985 to review policies and practices that can facilitate the retention of students, to propose a system of data collection and dissemination designed to provide routine, useful information about the retention of students, and to establish communications…

A study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to determine why students withdrew from courses at two off-campus centers. Surveys were administered to a sample of 54 degree credit and 46 continuing education students who withdrew from classes at Hawthorne Center (HC) in fall 1981, and to 56 degree credit and 44 continuing education…

For over 15 years, the Dean for Educational Services at Jefferson Community College (New York) has regularly identified and written to students whose mid-term grades indicated that they were in potential academic jeopardy. During fall 1988, a study was conducted to measure the effect of this intervention strategy on grades and persistence. Of the…

In fall 1988, Mt. San Antonio College undertook a study to determine the effect of prerequisite waivers on students' academic progress. Two groups who received waivers in the fall 1987 and spring 1988 semesters were selected for the study. Group I included 222 students who applied for and received waivers both semesters. Group II was comprised of…

A study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College to determine why off-campus students withdrew from courses at Hawthorne Center (HC) and Northeast Center (NEC). A total of 391 students who withdrew from degree credit classes and continuing education classes at HC in fall 1981, and from classes at NEC in fall 1982 and 1983 were sampled and…

In this study of student attrition rates at Prince George's Community College, three indicators were analyzed: (1) term-to-term attrition, (2) within-term attrition, and (3) course "inefficiency" (failure). Data from 1972-73 through 1976-77 indicated that fall to spring attrition (term-to-term) was approximately 34%. Spring to fall averaged 47%,…

Course completion rates, as measures of college performance and student success, have been computed at Prince George's Community College for the past 11 years. An analysis of Fall 1979 grades revealed that the college-wide course completion rate was 72%. While the Health Technology and Physical Education divisions continued to have higher course…

The psychological profiles of leaving and persisting students at a small rural community college in Utah were investigated. Subjects were 316 freshmen students, 41.1% of the Fall 1976 class, who were administered the Bipolar Psychological Inventory. Profiles of students leaving the college during the following year were compared to the profiles of…

This report provides tables and commentary on student progress at Bronx Community College for all students entering with matriculated status from fall 1970 to fall 1974. Statistics on graduation, credits earned (in both college-level and noncollege-level courses), and grade point average (GPA) are included. Analyses are given for each entering…

This is the second report of the Northern California Cooperative Research Project (NORCAL) on student attrition. Part I summarizes the findings of the initial NORCAL report on attrition characteristics (see ED 031 240) and compares them with other community college samples. It also discusses the validation of a predictive model for identifying…

Studies investigating academic persistence compose one of the most widely reported areas of research in higher education. Tinto is most often cited in and associated with student persistence research. This paper details the origins of Tinto's theories, as well as subsequent criticisms and reformulations of those fundamental theories. The origins…

Describes a study to test causal relationships among variables related to Hispanic students' intent to persist using multiple regression and path analysis models. Reports that a path analysis model, examining students' satisfaction with their academic experience and instruction, commitment, family support, and perceptions of future job prestige,…

Describes a systemwide effort within the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System to develop a framework for improving student persistence and success. Highlights changes to the original Bean and Metzner retention model, the characteristics and needs of Colorado's two-year college student population, the campus-based…

Describes a study conducted to determine the differences among students enrolling during three phases of registration (early, regular, and late). Finds that: (1) new and returning students who enroll late are more likely to withdraw from a class than those who register early or at the regular time; and (2) returning students differed in their GPAs…

A study was conducted at San Jose City College (SJCC) of the factors that contributed to the academic success of a sample of students enrolled in fall 1990. Successful students were defined as those receiving a letter grade of A, B, C, or CR (credit) in Math 310, Learning Skills 340, and English 321. A randomly selected group of 39 students who…