This paper summarizes a panel discussion that addressed exit-exam policies and dropout issues. It presents the panel members' conclusions about existing research and their recommendations on what kinds of further work are needed. Research on how exit exams affect dropout rates is limited and inconclusive, so policies continue to be made in the…

This paper reports that the student population enrolled in remedial mathematics is rapidly increasing, while funding for these classes in Florida is declining. The Math Department at the Winter Park Campus (WPC) of Florida's Valencia Community College (VCC) has developed a curriculum that offers a variety of instructional formats to its remedial…

In the higher education sector most students enrol in a course with the intention of obtaining a qualification. In the vocational education and training (VET) sector many students tend to complete only some units of competencies or modules of a course. This study analysed the progress until 2000 of students who commenced a TAFE course in 1997, and…

Recent census figures indicate that, compared to all races and ethnic groups, Hispanic students had the lowest rate of graduation from high school. This article explores possible predictors of dropout among Hispanic youth by comparing the Hispanic youth who dropped out of school between the 8th and 10th grade with those who continued. Data for the…

This study sought to uncover elements of campus culture at a large, predominantly white metropolitan university in the Southwest which hinder or support Chicano student persistence. Because the concept modeling research design required complete immersion in the lives of students, the number of participants was limited to two. The two students…

The purpose of this study has been to inquire into the extent and character of retention, transfer, and withdrawal of undergraduate students in a group of representative institutions of higher education. Attention has been given to characteristics of students, their standing in high school and on placement, their reasons for going to college,…

In a University of Central Lancashire (England) program, upperclassmen support learning of peers through small-group peer tutoring in study skills, earning academic credits for doing so. The program targets courses with difficult content, predominance of lectures, and low rates of teacher-student interaction. Evaluation indicates reduced course…

A study of 24 Hispanic and American Indian college students attempted to refine the concept of academic integration in Tinto's model of education withdrawal. Findings suggest that measurement of academic integration could be strengthened by including indicators of the substance and process of academic advising, as students experience it.…

Since 1958, the National Research Council has gathered information on doctoral recipients. This information, available annually in data tape form to supplying institutions, offers an opportunity to improve understanding of progress toward the doctorate and the way it relates to discipline, finances, gender, and age. (Author/MSE)

One university's approach to institutional research to improve student retention is described. The urban, public institution has a large population of nontraditional students. A task force identified barriers to student success, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Techniques for involvement of all constituencies and turning research…

Data on 8,800 tenth grade students were analyzed to evaluate effectiveness of exceptional education programs on dropout prevention. Compared to the general education program, the holding power of the specific learning disabilities program was lower, the gifted program was higher, and the emotionally handicapped and educable mentally handicapped…

A study examined academic achievement and persistence of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) high school students in one urban Alberta (Canada) school district for 1991 to 1996, including analysis of student records and interviews with former students and ESL and mainstream teachers. Results indicate 46% of ESL students did not complete studies…

This report, which is the eighth in a series, presents data for 1995 on high school dropout and retention rates, and examines high school completion and graduation rates. In addition to extending time series data from earlier reports, this report focuses on three specific subpopulations that are at particular risk of dropping out of school: (1)…

This study examined the impact of precollege variables and three motivational factors on retention and grades of 581 high risk college freshmen. The precollege variables were gender, ethnicity, parental education, financial aid status, and high school rank. The motivational factors were identified from the Noel-Levitz College Student Inventory…

This study used the Tinto Model to examine characteristics of community college students without initial plans to graduate, but who did eventually receive an Associate's degree from the institution. In 1991, a large midwestern community college began asking enrollees whether they planned to graduate. By 1994, sizable numbers of graduates had…