In 1991, a study was conducted at Johnson County Community College (JCCC), in Kansas, of "leavers," those students who were once enrolled at JCCC, but did not graduate, transfer to another institution, or complete a career program. Questionnaires were mailed to 1,860 students identified as leavers who had been enrolled at JCCC during…

This study examined research from 1980 to 1992 that addressed characteristics of high school dropouts. Data from 32 empirical studies were synthesized into an integrative review. A list of the most common characteristics of high school dropouts was generated and the major policy issues related to dropping out were identified and addressed. Four…

Student and institutional characteristics related to college freshman persistence were studied. Persistence was examined for 5 institutions (5,950 students) at 4 points in time: end of first term, reenrollment in the spring, end of spring term, and reenrollment in the fall of the sophomore year. Data from a variety of sources were used, and…

The Minority Assistance Program (MAP) was established at the University of South Carolina in 1986 to help black entering freshmen become integrated into campus life. Specific objectives are improving academic achievement and retention rates of minority students. This comparative study assessed whether or not the program is accomplishing these…

A survey was conducted to examine the depth and breadth of Japanese language instruction offered in the United States, to analyze the impact of mainstreaming instruction in one of the most difficult languages to teach, and to make recommendations leading to increased instructional effectiveness. Teachers, administrators, and students were surveyed…

In November 1989, a study was conducted at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) to examine retention rates for 1988-89 according to a variety of institutional and student characteristics and to determine whether major differences existed between returning and non-returning students. Data were collected from end-of-term student computer…

In 1990, a study was conducted at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) to examine retention rates for 1989-90 in terms of a variety of institutional and student characteristics and to determine whether major differences existed between returning and non-returning students. Data were collected from end-of-term student files. Study findings…

In 1988, a telephone survey was conducted of students at Prince George's Community College (PGCC) who were enrolled in fall 1987, but who were not registered for spring 1988. The purposes of the study were to ascertain students' reasons for not returning to PGCC and to determine what the college could have done to influence the non-returning…

Based on studies of student attrition at Mid-Florida Technical Institute (MFTI) and Valencia Community College (VCC), this handbook presents an action plan model for the identification of reasons students fail to complete postsecondary vocational programs. Introductory material reviews the purpose of the handbook (i.e., to assist program…

This report describes the dropout rate for the Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) School District for the year 1985-86. All students eligible to drop out--those between 15 and 21 years old in grades 7 through 12 or in Special Education or ungraded equivalents--were identified (N=70,025). The number of dropouts--not including runaways or those whose…

This report on the effectiveness of Shelby State Community College's (SSCC) Academic and Developmental Services (A/D) Program consists primarily of statistical tables that describe three cohorts of full- and part-time students; i.e., those currently enrolled students who entered the college in fall 1985, 1986, or 1987. Data are presented on basic…

The purpose of this study was to determine what Ontario high schools might do in order to increase student retention. Four approaches were taken. The first focuses on the social ecology of high schools, looking at how they relate to their environment. The second focuses on organizational characteristics that others have reported are associated…

A random sample of 301 first-time entering freshmen was drawn in fall, 1971, and descriptive data were gathered on this group over eight consecutive semesters (fall 1971-spring 1975). The sample included 55.48% males and 44.52% females, of which 29.9% were general education majors. Data indicated that 23.92% had officially graduated by the end of…

This evaluation of the Developmental Studies Program at Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) draws from five in-depth studies of the characteristics, academic achievement, and persistence of developmental students and from other TNCC reports. After introductory material on the history and purpose of the program evaluation, a four-part summary of…

"Cooling out" was identified in 1960 as a specific function of the community college in redirecting students who experienced academic failure. The "soft" cooling out process, which re-directs students into less demanding curricula or out of the college through counseling and advising rather than academic discipline, will increasingly become a…