One of the themes frequently appearing in the literature on student retention is that a primary determinant of student persistence is the interaction between students and faculty. Research reveals that students' educational intentions, goal commitment, and integration into the social and academic environment of the college are also influential.…

Arguing that retention research requires a sound theoretical framework and that retention planning takes place within a sociopolitical context, this paper presents an overview of the requirements and process of student retention research. Part I examines the role of research in a college's retention effort and establishes the general requirements…

In spring 1982, a study was conducted to determine the persistence of Howard Community College (HCC) students from fall 1981 to spring 1982 and the relationship of students' attendance status, sex, and age to retention rates. Selected study findings include the following: (1) the overall retention rate for spring 1982 was 61.1% including Special…

As part of a statewide investigation of the reverse transfer student, a study of students transferring from four-year colleges and universities to community colleges was conducted in the Los Rios Community College District. The study sought to determine the relative size of the reverse transfer population; differences in the characteristics of…

In spring 1985, a study was conducted at John Tyler Community College (JTCC) to gather information from former students who were enrolled in winter 1985, but did not return in spring 1985. The study focused on students' primary goal for enrolling, whether that goal was achieved, reasons for withdrawal, current occupations, and plans for returning…

Data tables and graphs are presented to illustrate patterns of student enrollment at Mercer County Community College for 1976 through 1981. After a summary of study highlights, the report presents general findings concerning: (1) full- and part-time student persistence; (2) full-time students' graduation rates; (3) full- and part-time student…

A questionnaire was designed to survey Logan County (Kentucky) students who withdrew from school during the 1976-77 and 1977-78 school years. Of the 130 survey instruments circulated, 37 (28%) were returned. A comparison of six demographic variables, based on school records, revealed that the respondents and the original population were similar on…

This paper attempts to furnish background information on, problem analysis of, and recommendations for developing programs for out of school youth in less developed countries. The paper defines important factors contributing to the general situation of out of school youth in these countries. Out of school youth include those who have no access to…

Community college students are dropping courses at increasing rates at substantial costs to their institutions and themselves. Subsequently, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate this trend, the factors that influence it, and ways of reversing it. A recent study revealed that the most frequently cited reason for course withdrawal was…

In order to provide entry-level students with an opportunity to explore career interests while receiving college credit, Johnson County Community College implemented a pilot course in Fall 1979 incorporating an emphasis on career decision-making in an English composition course. The course, which had an enrollment of 49 students in two sections,…

A sample of students were surveyed who were enrolled at the University of Washington during the autumn quarter of 1977 but did not continue at the university the following quarter. Survey items included: reasons for not continuing, occupational status as of spring 1978, effect of not continuing on present occupation and plans for the future,…

The determinants of student attrition in institutions of higher education were investigated. A causal model was developed which synthesized research findings on turnover in work organizations and on student attrition. Questionnaires were distributed to university freshmen (N=1171). The data was analyzed using multiple regression and path analysis.…

As the first in a planned longitudinal series, this study examined the academic performance in the initial undergraduate year of a stratified, random sample of 100 students from Vancouver secondary schools who enrolled in September 1976 in a full-time academic program at the Langara Campus of Vancouver Community College (VCC), and measured it…

The research reported is a descriptive normative survey utilizing the data available from the required quarterly reporting of the high school districts in Cook County. In suburban Cook County there are 27 secondary school districts and two unit districts, including Chicago. The 28 suburban secondary school districts are comprised of 68 high school…

This document reports a study of students who had enrolled at Bucks County Community College (BCCC) from September 1965 to August 1973, had completed less than 12 credits, had grade point averages sufficient for re-enrollment, and yet did not return. Of the 8,605 students in this category, 20 percent were sampled; 30 percent (509) of those sampled…