A survey of 418 (61%) General College students (academically underprepared) demonstrated how differences on career decision-making self-efficacy, social and academic integration, and academic persistence differ according to individual and family characteristics. (SK)

Describes a study of 100 students who withdrew from Michigan's Schoolcraft College in fall 1994 to determine their reasons for withdrawing and demographic characteristics. Indicates that the most prevalent reason was work related and that no significant relationships were found between student characteristics and withdrawal behavior. (BCY)

This article reviews recent literature related to student retention. Since students from first generation and low income backgrounds are among the least likely to be retained through degree completion, institutional retention efforts must take the needs of such students into account if more equitable educational attainment rates are desired. (JM)

Reviews the literature on Indigenous Australian and other nontraditional student recruitment and retention, finding most current approaches to have limited, ad hoc aims and objectives. Recommends a comprehensive and integrated approach to recruiting and retaining these students. (EV)

Outlines development of interest in student retention studies in Britain arising from concern about the appropriate use of public money. Describes retention strategies being used within the London Institute, a federation of five art- and design-focused colleges. The aim is an overarching and interlinking strategy across a whole college, what the…

Significant progress has been made over the past four decades in enrolling more students from historically underrepresented groups in U.S. colleges and universities. While total enrollment increased by about 40% overall, minority student enrollment increased by 146%, with Hispanic undergraduate enrollment greatly outpacing other racial/ethnic…

This paper reports the results of a telephone survey of 151 undergraduates who withdrew in their first year of study at a post-1992 institution. It focuses on the negative experiences which they reported during their time at the university and the ultimate reasons for leaving, exploring in particular issues around choice of course, academic…

All first-year students enrolled in diploma and certificate programs in the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) were surveyed to determine factors that influence student persistence. A questionnaire was mailed to 2,822 students in October 1991; 1,557 completed questionnaires were received and analyzed. A follow-up…

This report presents the results of a review of course withdrawal and forgiveness policies at public community colleges and state universities in Florida, with a view toward standardizing such policies that impact articulation, the transfer of credit, and credit-hours-to-degree. It recommends that: (1) forgiveness, withdrawal, and incomplete…

Graphs and charts present data on students aged 14-21 exiting special education services in Maryland during the 1993-1994 school year. Reasons for leaving special education are analyzed by local education areas and by disability, with specific charts devoted to students with mental retardation, speech or language impairments, serious emotional…

School Dropouts have less employment and learning potential than graduates, contribute less to the economy, and add to social service costs. To identify a set of predictive dropout characteristics for females by racial/ethnic background and a set of intervention strategies to address those factors, telephone surveys covering 52 items were…

This report of the number and percentage of senior high school students who left school before graduating found that: (1) 7% of the fall 1981 high school enrollment left before the end of the 1981-1982 school year; (2) leavers accounted for 6% from regular high schools enrollment, 51% from continuation high schools, and 7% from other high schools;…

A tracking model was developed at Rancho Santiago College utilizing enrollment and student statistics to identify first-time students who entered the college in fall 1983 and to track them over the following years. Statistics on 6,151 new students entering in fall 1983 indicated: (1) only 45% of the students who entered in fall 1983 were enrolled…

A study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to develop a profile of students who withdrew from courses between 1982 and 1986 and to compare this profile with the results of a 1979-82 withdrawal study. For the past 4 years, each degree credit student who has officially withdrawn from a course has been asked to complete a survey…

This document presents the findings and recommendations of a study that investigated students who leave school before graduating. The study attempted to determine the proportion of young people who leave school early versus those who graduate, and examined the subsequent schooling/training and job experiences of early leavers. The study…